Political fall-out of the Mumbai terror attack

As the dust begins to settle and a hurting Mumbai (and India) starts limping back to normalcy- as near “normal” as possible, under the circumstances- our politicians have got back to doing what they do best. They have begun the blame game and the search for scapegoats. Don’t get me wrong- I think Shivraj Patil should have resigned a long time ago. But all this talk about what intelligence was given or not given and “he said, she said” is disgusting. And frankly, bulk of the work is anyway done (or not!) by the bureaucracy. And unless that layer of government gets its act together, Chidambaram too may not have much success.

I think the PM did a good thing in calling an all-party meeting to discuss options and reach consensus (as much as is possible) on the next steps. But I was shocked to see the TV headlines that Advani chose not to attend because of his commitments to election campaigning. Is electioneering of higher priority at this time? Or is it that the BJP does not want to participate in decision-making at this time so that (God forbid), it can later distance itself from any failures of such decisions?

I think we the people of this nation need to know our political leaders’ real position on combating terror. A “my way or the highway” attitude which reeks of political high-handedness is definitely not worthy of my vote- irrespective of who the leader is or which party s/he represents.

Children of a lesser God?

The media has extensively covered the funerals of the various police officers and NSG commandos who laid down their lives. I am glad they did this, because the nation- indeed, the world- must know how brave our soldiers are. But spare a thought for the employees of the Taj, Oberoi etc. who lost their lives. They too lost their lives in the course of their duty. If anything, the cops and commandos are trained for such work and in some way, know that each day could well be their last. But not so the civilians. Do chefs and waiters ever expect to come this close to death during their daily work? I wish some channels and newspapers will carry stories of these brave sons and daughters of India as well.

My 12 year old’s reaction to the terror attack in Mumbai

Over the past couple of days, my wife and I have been watching the horrifying news unfold on TV. Lavanya, our 12 year old daughter, too watched the news on and off and ever so often asked if the terrorists have been overpowered.  Last night, soon after the tragic news of the hostages at Nariman House being killed was aired, Lavanya shut herself in her room for about 15 minutes. She emerged with a piece of paper and showed it to us. She had written the following poem that I think captures the pathos of the tragedy very well.

The city that never slept, slept

Ashes and shrapnel everyplace

Destruction and death all around.

Mumbai, the city that never slept,

Slept long, deep and sound.

Friends, family and strangers complete,

A picture of devastation.

When the fisrt signs of death

Got hold of a railway station.

Booms, bangs, everywhere,

All it took was a little boat fare.

The Taj and Oberoi weep in sorrow,

Nariman House got lost to the morrow.

Politicians wanted to give their speech,

To show how sorry they are,

To the hostages and commandos

From homes God knows how far!

More lives are lost,

More battles fought.

The war was raging on,

The guns just fire everywhere,

Victory goes to no one.

The terrorists may be killed,

But the void of the lost loved one is never filled.

The roads are empty, there is no sound.

Mumbai, the city that never slept,

Slept long, deep and sound.

An original poem by Lavanya Krishna (12 years), Std VI, Presidency School, R T Nagar, Bangalore.

Bharat Ratna for our commandos and cops?

Every year, a raging debate precedes the decision to award the Bharat Ratna. As I understand, the award should go to someone who is “a jewel of India”. The events of the past 60 hours prove that our armed forces and cops qualify. In spite of the huge odds against them and the various challenges (hostages, risk of collateral damage, heritage sites, inadequate information about the hotel layout, no robust estimate of the number of terrorists etc.) they have demonstrated to the world that “Yes, we can”. I therefore think awarding them the Bharat Ratna would not be unfair. To be sure, technical issues such as it being India’s highest civilian award (and therefore it being inappropriate to award it to the army) remain- but what we should recognize is the commitment of the entire force and not individuals. Clearly, this was a team effort, with local agencies like the City Fire Brigade also playing its part in resolving the crisis.

“War on Mumbai”

TV channel after TV channel continues to refer to the recent terrorist strikes in Mumbai as a “war on Mumbai”. Admittedly, the theatre of the strike was Mumbai; but surely, it is more an attack on India- and in fact, on the entire civilized world.

Another thing I noticed about the intensive coverage was the media asking people how they felt- either after being rescued or to recall their hours inside. What do these journalists expect the answer to be? I realize that they are trying to cover the “emotional” and “human interest” angles but honestly, I wish our media personalities become more sensitive.

Uncomfortable but pertinent questions in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attack

After more than 48 hours of gun-fights and focused commando action, it appears that the terrorists have either been captured or killed. Sadly, more than 150 innocent people have lost their lives, including several foreigners. But the entire incident raises several larger questions in my mind:

1. The entire nation depends upon our armed forces for deliverance in times lke this.  Should we still grudge them the higher salary that the services are asking for to bring them on par with civil servants and bureaucrats?
2. Commandos Gajendar Singh and Sandeep Unnikrishnan lost their lives protecting Mumbai and its citizens. They were not “Marathi Manoos”. Should our politicians still waste time on frivolous debates?
3. Should the media be allowed to provide a “running commentary” as it were, knowing well that they may well be providing intelligence and information to the very terror-mongers we are trying to fight?
4. Should politicians try and make political capital out of a situation that is a national tragedy?
5. Given Pakistan’s track record of promising to turn a new leaf and then reneging on its promise, should we trust them this time to take action to curb cross-border terrorism?
6. Will India learn from its mistakes and fix the gaps?
7. As citizens, will we shrug off our apathy and become more actively engaged?
8. Will the supreme sacrifice made by Hemant Karkakre, Ashok Kamte, Vijay Salaskar (these three were Marathi Manoos), Gajendar Singh, Sandeep Unnikrishnan and hundreds of others (employees of the Taj, guests etc.) be in vain?

Mindless massacre in Mumbai

It’s been a little over 24 hours since a group of 25 or so terrorists, reportedly in the 20-25 age group, began to wreak havoc in Mumbai by shooting indiscriminately in restaurants, five star hotels and a railway station. More than 125 people have been reported to have died (including several foreign nationals) and hundreds more are hurt- physically. Millions have been hurt emotionally. The nation’s pride has been wounded and there is a groundswell of outrage and anger among the average Indian. I just hope this emotion does not snowball into a communal riot that can leave even more permanent scars.

Already, the Mumbai police is trying to cope with the loss of a couple of its senior officers. And as if that was not enough, Dr Manmohan SIngh, Sonia Gandhi and L K Advani too have arrived in Mumbai. This means diverting police resources to deal with their security. Reports suggest that 6-7 of the suspected terrorists (supposedly, the perpetrators are from a group called “Deccan Mujahideen”) have escaped and that can only complicate the situation.

By targeting the Taj and the Oberoi hotels, the perpetrators have struck at the up-market hub of India’s commercial capital. By killing senior police officers, they have done worse. India as a nation is hurting. What comes of this investigation may not be relevant.

Hayden’s “third world” comment

I read with equal parts of amusement, amazement and anger the recent reports in the media that Matthew Hayden has attributed Australia’s recent series loss to India to “third world” conditions that resulted in frequent movements to the sight screens that in turn, delayed Indian batsmen facing up and hence causing a slow over rate.

I agree that delays in the batsmen getting ready to face the bowler do slow down the bowling rate. However, the manner in which India beat Australia in both games does not, to my mind, suggest that the games were close, or that, given a few more overs, a different result would have been likely. Jason K’s commendable debut notwithstanding, Australia did not have an effective slow ball attack and Ponting had little option but to use his faster bowlers to try and get wickets.

On a separate note, I am surprised Mr. Hayden did not seem to mind pretty much the same “third world conditions” when he turned out for the IPL last season. Perhaps he has been so affected by these “third world conditions” that he will not come back for a second IPL season. And he may want to exchange notes with team-mates like Michael Hussey, to find out why he seems to prefer playing in these “third world conditions” to playing in Australia (e.g. in the T20 Champions Trophy).

Is a new world financial order possible?

The G20- comprising a mix of developed countries and emerging nations that between them, account for well over 80% of the world’s economy- are making the right noises about global financial system reform (such as transparency/disclosure, governance of financial institutions that tend to take excessive risk, regulation to better prevent market manipulation etc.) and facilitate smoother and freer global trade.

I have no quarrel with these noble objectives. But cynic that I have become over the past decade or so, I immediately question the existence of the enormous commitment and collaboration that this task will require. At this time, when the entire global economy is hurting badly, everyone is singing from the same page of the same hymn-book, to be sure. But once national and regional level imperatives (perhaps “vested interests” is a better descriptor- e.g. raising taxes, reducing interest rates, capping executive pay etc.), and elections have to be won, I just wonder how committed to this globally critical cause various nations will remain. I mean, look at how difficult a journey it has been to reach a global trade accord even after decades of attempts.

And if a new global body is required to replace the IMF, the EBRD and so on, it will mean that the developed nations will have to allow emerging nations to have a bigger say in structuring the organizations, setting their agenda and governance. At least, the emerging nations will expect that. But will it happen? I don’t know.

I hope and pray, for the sake of our world as we know it, that individual nations can set aside their differences and reach agreement.

Finely poised match

If Austrlia can successfully chase the target of 382 (and they have already scored 13 runs), they thoroughly deserve to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy. It all comes down to the wire now. Australia were able to bowl India out on Day 4 with not the best of bowling attacks. Can India return the favor?

It would be a terrific farewell gift to Kumble and Ganguly if India wins the test and wrests the trophy. Injury precluded Kumble from playing in the 4th and last test; for Ganguly, the last time out wearing the India cap was a disappointment, as he was bowled first ball- giving Jason Krejza a tame return catch. Inexplicably, India’s middle order collapsed today, with Dravid, Sachin, Laxman and Ganguly collectively contributing no more than 15 runs. It wasn’t that the bowling was venomous or the pitch a minefield of uneven or low bounce.

The first sesion tomorrow holds the key. If India can make early breakthroughs, they will fancy themselves with a chance.

Green World, Red Stock Markets, White House, Black Man

As I was thinking about what weighty topic to write about, it struck me that our world is a riot of colors- and hence the title of this blog. Here are some “colorful questions” to which we all need answers:

1. How long will it take our economy to get back to the pink of health?
2. When will the markets get back into the black?
3. Once they enter a new bull phase, how long will the purple patch last?
4. And what of the yellow metal?
5. Will we all have to sing the blues for a while longer?
6. Will investors remain shrinking violets for the foreseeable future?
7. Will our new-found passion for “green” drive lasting change in terms of reducing the damage we’re causing our environment?
8. Finally, what can the black man in the White House do to clean up the mess in the global economy?

Australia gains more than India at the Kotla

Forget losing Anil Kumble to retirement. After having scored 600+ runs in the first innings and with 3 days to spare, India was not able to inflict a defeat on Australia in the third test that ended in at Delhi today. The Kotla was supposed to be a “spinning track” and one where India has won most of its recent matches. Australia does not have a full-time spinner, let alone a wizard like Warne or even McGill. And Ishant Sharma was playing in home conditions. And yet, we managed to let Australia dig themselves out of a fairly deep hole. Thanks to some pretty ordinary fielding, not only was India not able to enforce a follow-on, but we also let Australia bat right through to nearly the end of Day 4 and get to within striking distance of India’s mammoth first innings total.

The bottom line- Australia go to Nagpur with their confidence on a high after the severe dent at Mohali. India, on the other hand, must be a worried lot. If the Nagpur track is going to assist spinnersthis time (now that Shashank Manohar is part of the BCCI and there is no obvious rift with the Vidarbha Cricket Association), Kumble will be even mre sorely missed. One hopes Harbhajan has recovered from his toe injury and is match fit and that Amit Sharma will get better support from the fielders.

Anil Kumble retires- end of an era in Indian cricket

Today, at lunch on the 5th and last day of the 3rd test match between India and Australia at Delhi, Anil Kumble announced his decision to retire from international cricket at the end of today. That he would announce his decision to hang up his boots after serving Indian cricket for 18 years (and with 619 scalps, becoming the world’s third highest wicket taker in test cricket after Muralitharan and Warne) was expected. What was unexpected perhaps, was the timing. Most people expected him to retire after England’s tour of India that begins in a couple of weeks. But the injury he picked up at Bangalore and the cut on his left hand that he picked up on Day 3 of the Delhi test rendered him less than 100% match fit. And “Jumbo”, who always gave his 100% on the field, did not want to change at this stage of his career. He always put his team ahead of himself (remember him bowling in the West Indies with a fractured jaw or as recently as yesterday, running hard to take a catch to end Australia’s first innings, or his gritty batting in Adelaide about an year ago, or the century against England last year….?). He did not want to be in the team if he was not in a position to give his 100%. Ergo, he retired.

Kumble’s evolution into a highly competitive but gentlemenly cricketer spans nearly two decades. He began his career in England, a bespectacled 20 year old. He was never a great tweaker of the ball, and many questions were asked on and off about his effectiveness as a bowler. In hindsight, those kinds of questions were misplaced, given that he has ended his test career with 619 wickets. But that he brought it up in his last interview as an international test cricketer shows how hurt he has been by those barbs. He was appointed captain of the Indian test team just about one year ago, before India embarked on its tour of Australia. Captaincy too was late in coming to this thinking cricketer. He has been accused of being too conservative (and both against South Africa earlier this year and against Australia in the second test, when Dhoni stepped in as skipper due to Kumble’s injuries, Dhoni made inspired decisions that won him the tests)- but such comparisons are odious. Sachin too had a relatively indifferent win percentage a captain- and India had not quite got into the habit of winning on away tours. Perhaps Kumble’s muted displays of emotion came in the way of his being made captain 2-3 years ago. A consummate leader, Kumble remained calm and dignified even when everyone around him seemed to be losing their cool. Remember the Sydney test last year which has gone down in history for more than just cricket? Kumble was angry too- but he retained his cool and remained level-headed even as he talked tough to the BCCI about not going ahead with the tour. Who knows how India’s cricketing fortunes would have shaped had Kumble been captain under Guru Greg?

Be all that as it may. There is no denying that with Anil Kumble’s retirement from the game we have come to the end of an era. There will be newer spinners on the scene- people who turn the ball more viciously than Anil ever did- but it will be a very tall ask to expect anyone to fill Jumbo’s giant shoes in a hurry, After all, any such aspirant will need to take more than 600 wickets at an average of about 30 runs (and help India win as many times as Kumble has) before he can even comes close.

Anil- heartfelt thanks for all that you have done for Indian cricket. You will be missed. But hey, have a great retired life. I hope you will remain associated with Indian cricket- not just as a role model but also as coach, advisor and guide. And perhaps future selector.