Seven Eleven at Mumbai
I must admit that I have been gone through the gamut of emotions: shock, dismay, anger and a sense of futility after the blasts shook Mumbai, so much so that I have been too overcome to blog about it.
This is my response to Mridula's blog post about incessant gory visuals of the blast sites on the TV channels.
At the outset, the blasts were a diabolical act of violence planned and executed by Depravity. Innocent human beings lost their lives in the midst of the sound and merciless fury of explosives.
The Television channels reported live from the blast sites with real-time information on the immediate impact and ensuing rescue services. I was following the reporting on NDTV, CNN-IBN and BBC. As the phone lines got congested, the channels started running messages recieved from people over email and SMS. The channels contacted all the relevant officials ranging from the Western Railways to the state government for their immediate reactions as well as planned course of action. As time passed, the channels played an important role in co-ordinating efforts to help the victims. In fact, one of the most critical roles the channels have played in the aftermath were to focus on individuals who are unable to trace their loved ones in the chaos, individuals who are running from hospital to hospital to check the bodies and are not able to trace their names on the published lists of the dead/missing.
The channels have not limited their role to live reporting. In fact Rajdeep Sardesai brought in panelists from the fields of Intelligence, Police, Diplomacy, Judiciary and Government to focus attention on extremely critical issues like:
This is my response to Mridula's blog post about incessant gory visuals of the blast sites on the TV channels.
At the outset, the blasts were a diabolical act of violence planned and executed by Depravity. Innocent human beings lost their lives in the midst of the sound and merciless fury of explosives.
The Television channels reported live from the blast sites with real-time information on the immediate impact and ensuing rescue services. I was following the reporting on NDTV, CNN-IBN and BBC. As the phone lines got congested, the channels started running messages recieved from people over email and SMS. The channels contacted all the relevant officials ranging from the Western Railways to the state government for their immediate reactions as well as planned course of action. As time passed, the channels played an important role in co-ordinating efforts to help the victims. In fact, one of the most critical roles the channels have played in the aftermath were to focus on individuals who are unable to trace their loved ones in the chaos, individuals who are running from hospital to hospital to check the bodies and are not able to trace their names on the published lists of the dead/missing.
The channels have not limited their role to live reporting. In fact Rajdeep Sardesai brought in panelists from the fields of Intelligence, Police, Diplomacy, Judiciary and Government to focus attention on extremely critical issues like:
- Why is India viewed as a soft target?
- What are the implications of this latest series of blasts for the Intelligence Agencies, which have slipped up yet again?
- What is the judicial process for the criminals who were accused/under trial for the previous blasts in Mumbai, Delhi, Varanasi? Why have none of the accused been convicted so far?
- How should this be tackled on the diplomatic front by our political leaders?
These are extremely relevant issues for any citizen who wants to throw off the cloak of complacency and ask our politicians and intelligence agencies some tough questions.
Bloodshed is a excruciatingly real image of a bomb blast. To skim over it like it did'nt exist would be to overlook the reality and cower in a safe corner of comfort. We, who are fortunate enough to be alive, should not shy away from gory images because they shock our complacent sensibilities.
posted by Starship Enterprise at 2:35 AM
6 Comments:
I do not say channels did not do a good job in coordinating. But my question is, was the gore shown to earn better TRP and for shock value or for any real intent?
More so, this seems to an increasing trend, I noticed it too when cameras intruded into the house of the slain Indian engineer in Afganistan. Was the weeping family so essential to the issue? Do we need the gloating of the head honcho of a channel 'we are the first to carry these images' or do we need more professionalism and a sensitive handling?
I was on my way to Mumbai on 11/7 & as I was just about to reach the airport I got frantic calls from my office not to board the flight. As it was raining cats & dogs in Kolkata I couldnt hear clearly what the voices on the other end were trying to convey just bits & pieces of serial....blasts.....etc. Even people who knew I was coming there called up & told me not to...thoughful gestures I say when one is in the thick of things!! Yes after snailspeed traffic & cancelling my trip I reached home SAFELY...but on second thoughts did I actually reach safely when my mind was in emotional turmoil thinking about the deaths of so many innocent people...people like you & me who are regular office goers...trying to reach home after a hard days' work...& surely they did if lucky that day but in lifeless bodies...am I SAFE I wonder...!!
We have been hearing often about terrorism & its different manifestations but for reasons unknown the 11/7 blasts in Mumbai moved & disturbed me to no extent...what future & what safety we will give to our children...what peace & tranquility we will give to our senior citizens & what assurance we will give to our relatives & friends...I wonder...did I actually reach home safely or mentally did I lose my safety somewhere in that chaos,bloodshed & tears....
Disturbed,
Doyel.
True, Mridula, sensationalism is becoming the bane of unbiased reporting. However, i feel that issue is actually a minor one in the context of the serious questions that terror attacks like this one raise. Is there a way to use our collective voice to effect change?
At the risk of sounding complacent:
1. Why do you think India is considered as a soft target? Not to mention Israels and Lebanons of the world but there have been attacks everywhere in the world without any discrimination by the terrorists: Indonesia, Phillipines, Pakistan, Madrid, Beslan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Gaza, UK, Kuwait, Columbia, Greece, Italy, Serbia, Chile, Cuba, Turkey, France, etc
2. Intelligence has failed in all of the above countries at some point of time. This is not to absolve them of their duties but we need to accept limitations and specially in a religiously diversified country like India, with an all year tension in one of the regions.
3. Some or the other militant organisation claim responsibilities for these attacks. I feel the judiciary is very much in place and accused caught in 1993 blasts were convicted. Pressurising the admin might result in half baked investigation and some scapegoats
4. I think that the political leaders and administration handled this situation quite amiably and the normalcy was forced on Mumbaites (not taking away the Mumbai spirit) which sent the right messages to those responsible for the blasts. Had they overreacted to the situation, it would only have encouraged the terrorists to repeat such ghastly acts.
I completely agree that these are relevant issues for any citizen, but at the same time the questions need to be asked not only to politicians and intelligence agencies but to ourselves also. When was the last time you felt responsible and were alert to notice anythin suspicious around you. Alongwith the cloak of complacency we also need to throw away this helpless and victimised attitude and be responsible, at least to some extent, for our own security and also of our fellow denizens. The best way i feel to counter this feeling of fear is not to overreact with panic and that is how we will deprive the attackers the feeling of success
Doyel, Your comment did make me think...Safety has become a relative concept in these violent times..You are "safe" if you narrowly escaped a blast! The idea of absolute safety only exists in an utopian world of gurukuls and kingdoms...
Anonymous:
1. Terror has many faces. Each country you've mentioned has faced terror as a result of its own specific geo-political concerns...For a country of India's economic, sociological and political standing, the number of attacks we've faced almost paints a picture of a satyagrahi. I feel its indisputable that the modus of defence against terror is a huge concern.
2. Yes. lets give all the benefits of the doubt to the intelligence agencies. But when the lapses are glaring and the solutions are obvious, its sheer folly not to pull up one's socks.
3. Its a widely deliberated fact that the 1993 blast issue is still sub-judice. In fact many of the accused were even discharged due to lack of evidence!
4. Diplomatically speaking, India sent out very feeble warnings to Pakistan, post blasts. In fact, as the saga evolved, Pakistan has actually gone one-up and threatened India of terror is the "peace-talks" are put on hold/stopped! A tough and assertive stand by India on the diplomatic front is absolutely essential. This strategy should, in fact, even pre-empt efforts by the likes of US, who might cash in on the vulnerability of India.
Post a Comment
<< Home