In 2001 when United States was attacked , the world was not same any more . US chanegd its entire foreign policy , shook things up , made a new anti terrorist cell and we all can see the results. There has been not even a single blast in US after that .

It makes no difference what label these terrorists have –  Fidayeens, Deccan or Indian Mujahideens. The fact is that a terrorist outfit, calling itself Deccan Mujahideens, has claimed responsibility for the attack, has called the Indian Army and the ATS weak, and has mocked them.But its high time we ,Indians learn some thing from that. Attack on the Taj and Oberoi Hotel is like 9/11 to India. Terrorists have found a new tool and new platform for their activities . Targeting places like Connaught Place in Delhi , they have moved to places of larger importance like the Gate Way of India , Taj Mehal Hotel and the Oberoi . It took NSG 62 hours to ‘get back’ the Taj and the Nariman House(Jewish cultural center ). Terrorists clearly indicated that they wanted US and British citizens when mean they wanted to give a global message . We have lost some of our bravest soldiers the AST Chief and six NSG commandos and many IPS officers . The Death toll is more than 200 at present which is increasing every minute . Mumbai or Bombay what every you like to call it , has been targeted ever since due to its wealth and it being a financial capital of the country.

What have we learnt out of this?? What did we learn from the Parliament attack , the Delhi attacks , the Akshardham Temple attacks ?? Nothing . The security measure are still the same . The police force is still the same . The anti terror laws are still the same , baring few which have been scraped off . Its not the failure of the intelligence agencies or the ATS , its the failure of the entire system. Its a terrorizing political failure .The truth is that we do not have a clear anti-terrorist policy or strategy. What we do have is a knee-jerk reaction to events as they happen. And all is forgotten till the next incident.

India is not prepared because its politicians are not. They would rather remain involved in their petty electoral politics and rivalries while the country is ripped apart by AK 47,  grenades and RDX. Raj Thackeray should remember that commandos from outside Maharashtra helped to clear Mumbai of terrorists. The leaders of the two largest national parties should recognize that the blame game regarding terrorism must stop.This is the time we be united , leave all caste or religion (region being the new thing !) divide and face this ‘terror’ as a united nation a United India . Taj will still stand up in few days , have a lavish New years eve party but this sentiment would(rather should) never wash off. This calls for  a new system a new India .  This is a war on terror against a faceless and fanatic enemy. This war is not for the faint hearted, and can only be won by ruthless action.The battle of Mumbai may perhaps be over and won. But the war is not over, and victory is nowhere in sight.

There are moments in the history of a country when unity is more than a patriotic duty. India stands precisely at that crossroads. The gateway to India lies through the debris of Mumbai and the corpses that lie there. A not to be remembered ThanksGiving 2008 , but for the right reason !

” Pyar mera dilli ke sardi ” -

Its the time of the year that i eagerly wait for. The Winters, my favorite season
There are many reasons for this . Winters has its own very special set of memories and nostalgia attached to it. The main reason being that winters are ‘cool’, both literally and temperature wise.
Onset of winters start the countdown for my Birthday and the set of celebrations attached to it(which make winters ‘cooler‘).Winters means shorter days and longer nights , and that’s a boon for a person like me who loves to sleep late in the night(time just flows when u have a cup full of coffee with TV or music !) and wake up just at time so as to not to miss the College . Even driving my Pulsar gives more fun in winters than in summer where a 5 minute red light can make you drench in sweat.

Every Delhite has some hidden love for winters due to various reasons , be it the hot corn at the Red lights , or the famous tea stall at Connaught Place which gives his famous tea in a ‘kullar‘ or just Khan market’s Badam milk.Fog dominating the mornings and chilly nights. I still remember how i used to get up at 6 in the morning to catch my school bus which was a ‘by default AC bus‘ . Bus speeding at 100 Km/hr at the NH8 Delhi Gurgaon free way , chilly air rushing through the broken window glasses (I told you, it was an AC bus ! ) made the ears freeze. But even then , winters meant fun .
But winters has its own set of problems . First being i am highly sensitive to weather change. Every year i am down with cold and fever for one week due to this. But on the other side this means a full week’s holiday . No Studies , no work , nothing .. Bas main aur mere tanhayee…
Winters means the end of festive season too. The last one for us being the very own Diwali. Diwali means family dinners ,catching up with cousins(and their girlfriends sometimes ! ), friends going out for lunch , and loads of sweets and Cadbury Celebrations packs .
Winters also mean the ‘ New Years’ approaching , which in turn reminds me that i have make some new years resolutions again. (What about the resolutions that i took last year ?) Which in turn means some introspection and self analysis.

Winter is that period of the year which brings back the child in me , helps me self connect and get some break from this fast paced life . For me its an experience rather than just a season.