For too long we have remained the servile submissive nation. There has been no strong adjective to describe our character. When you meet an Indian abroad and when you ask where he is from he invariably states the State he comes from, not the country. A motorist on a street in Mumbai will willingly open the door of his car and decorate the road with his colorful mucus lined spit. Same motorist in Singapore will not dare to perform similar feat. A cyclist at 2 in the morning on a deserted street in London shall respect the red light at a signal and wait for it to turn green before crossing it. He not only depicts discipline, he reflects the character of his country. Here even in the busiest moments of the day, the red light at a crossing is an indicator to ‘GO’ !!

You know why the Indian Cricket team has had its phenomenal run of successes in recent times? Its because it has shown character and attitude. Yes, of course it has the talent, but its body language and behavior on the pitch is rattling the opponent. When a Gambhir elbows his response to continuous sledging of the foulest tongue, I like that. It is a fault and it is up for penalization, but I simply loved his statement thereafter, that he ‘did not regret doing it’. When a Harbhajan challenges a Symonds and walks up to exchange words, when Yuvraj back answers his English opponent and follows it up with 6 sixes in one over, it shows character.

Our media industry and journalists need to learn a lot from him.

Why Mumbai?

It doesn’t need to be answered as Mumbai is strategically the most important place to attack to attract global attention or to create terror across India. A cosmopolitan city with tons of foreign business persons and tourists is like a jewel among other cities in India and would hurt the sentiments more if attacked.

How many of those entered Mumbai?

News channels earlier reported they were 20 in number and then chief minister of Maharashtra confirmed that they were around 20-26 and they came in 2 small boats (dinghies). Mumbai police also flashed registration number of vehicles which were hijacked by terrorists and could be any where in Mumbai or neighboring areas. Now after we have accounted for only 10 we see that media and the officials have changed their stand and only talk about 10 terrorists entering Mumbai. Maharashtra’s home minister repeatedly assured that the Intelligence and ATS are sure that they were only 10 in number and not a single terrorist in on loose in Mumbai city or nearby. How confident are we about our intelligence and ATS information? Isn’t this happening just because the so called “Intelligence” and ATS didn’t have a clue about Mumbai attacks?

Are we trying to manipulate the data to pass in an exam like we did in our Physics practicals? Its a question about life of innocent people on the streets of Mumbai, if we are aware that there could be more at least 3-4 Terrorists on loose wont we take caution or shouldn’t the police and ATS start a massive combing operation of the city the way Delhi police did after the recent Delhi blasts.

Why was one sporting a Red wrist band?

I don’t have a clue and from what it looks from the photographs it could be red and yellow rubber wrist bands or could be Mauli tied to appear like Hindu youths and avoid any naval inspection like what DNA seems to be confirming

After murdering four fishermen on board a trawler in the Arabian sea, the militants saw that the boat had several things including a “mauli” (religious thread used in Hindu religion), official sources said.

An arrested militant Ajmal Amin told the interrogators that when their hijacked fishing boat was approaching the Indian shores, they saw some Navy men.

Immediately, they tied the threads and some of them even put on vermilion to look like Hindus, the sources quoting the arrested militant said.

Is technology boon?

We the citizens were aware from the beginning (or at least after day 1) that the terrorists were technically smart and were carrying Satellite phones and even used GPS devices to land in Mumbai, it was confirmed by Marcos (Marine Commandos) that Terrorists were communicating with each other and their bosses across the border.

Now in this situation and after having all this information is it smart enough on our part to flash all the latest information on the TV and on the internet. Can all the information available on the internet be used by the Terrorists or by their control center across the border? Is it possible that all the hoopla on Twitter with #Mumbai tags was being read by their bosses? It could come as a surprise but right now as i type this, the wiki page of Twitter is already hacked barely hours after the operation being over in Mumbai. Was it monitored? Why was it hacked? probably after a lot of activity by Indians and the spread of hatred against Pakistan and the terrorists?

Terrorist using Blackberry to communicate will also turn against them as Blackberry services can be easily filtered to gain control over the conversations and the end points of the parties in touch like the way the GPS device used by the Terrorist to save the route can turn against them.

Were they Pakistanis?

Not sure about them being Pakistanis but yeah they were for sure Muslims. They could have been Pakistanis but raised in Britain or brainwashed youths from other countries. But one thing was sure that they were targeting US, UK and Israeli nationals along with Indians. One reason for them attacking a 5 start Hotel could be the presence of so many multinationals. Reportedly a Turkish couple was released just because they were Muslims.

The Muezzinoglus, however, found themselves in a hostage situation, along with a group of foreigners. That night, they shared a room with three foreigners – all women. Two machine-gun-wielding terrorists stood guard over them the whole night.

All the hostages were asked to reveal their religion. When the Muezzinoglus said they were Muslims, their captors told them that they would not be harmed. The other three Caucasian women were removed from the room next day, and the terrorists informed the Muezzinoglus that they had been shot.

Whose fault is it?

People and many of my friends say that its a failure of our intelligence. Really?

Do you safeguard your house or your colony depending on the intelligence? Do you protect your house or a part of your colony based on intelligence data? We lock our doors as well as possible, we feel safe living in gated communities with barbed wire on top and security personnel on the main gate. Housing communities have started having solar powered electrical fence or barbed wire or even the basic broken glass to stop someone jumping over.

Protecting our National Border is a responsibility which cannot be ignored even if it is too difficult a task or costly in terms of money involved. We can spend millions of dollars on sending Chandrayaan to probe Moon’s surface and to study its composition but we cant use satellites to observe our National border.

What will happen next?

Are we going to learn a lesson from this? Will this event change any political situation or the minds of mostly corrupt politicians? Will add a new angle to our vote bank politics? Are we going to learn from this and rebuild are security systems and patch them wherever necessary?

I just fear that the so called “Mumbai Spirit” will force people to be back in action and to their routine as if nothing happened. Many will probably talk about this and discuss about this for a few days but I am sure after a month they will be more worried if Yuvraj is still on the crease or if India is still going to win the cricket match.

In near future we may see increase in the defense budget or new fund allocations to Maharashtra to strengthen the police force or train more NSG commandos, but will it help? From an eye witness on Mumbai CST station “the CRPF jawaans and Railway police officers were hiding on first floors when attackers were firing bullets from their AK47’s for 45 minutes on the station”.

from Sebastian D’souza who shot the famous pic of terrorist on the CST station

But what angered Mr D’Souza almost as much were the masses of armed police hiding in the area who simply refused to shoot back. “There were armed policemen hiding all around the station but none of them did anything,” he said. “At one point, I ran up to them and told them to use their weapons. I said, ‘Shoot them, they’re sitting ducks!’ but they just didn’t shoot back.”

As the gunmen fired at policemen taking cover across the street, Mr D’Souza realized a train was pulling into the station unaware of the horror within. “I couldn’t believe it. We rushed to the platform and told everyone to head towards the back of the station. Those who were older and couldn’t run, we told them to stay put.”

The militants returned inside the station and headed towards a rear exit towards Chowpatty Beach. Mr D’Souza added: “I told some policemen the gunmen had moved towards the rear of the station but they refused to follow them. What is the point if having policemen with guns if they refuse to use them? I only wish I had a gun rather than a camera.”

I will not, not for once blame the CRPF jawaans for a single reason that they are inadequate to counter them. Most of the police force don’t even have sophisticated automatic pistols and still have to do away with their service revolvers, forget about equipping them with AK 47. Do i feel proud of such policemen, not at all. If Marcos are the most celebrated lot then the policemen are the most hated lot. Do we Indians trust our policemen?

We need reforms to recreate our police force, to eradicate corruption from the force which is supposed to protect us and maintain law and order. Most would agree with me that the majority of our country’s problems would be over if we can enforce all the present laws forget about the newer ones. Whats the point of creating newer laws if we cant enforce the basic ones. Politicians think that a minority community is against some strict laws like TADA or POTA and would cost them heavily during election if they pass such laws. But on the other hand being from a majority community do i trust the current situation? I myself don’t feel that the Malegaon blast suspects are getting a fair trial, could be heavily heavily politically motivated, then why blame the majority community only.

If India really needs something to fight against terror then, we need to get rid of corrupt politicians, we need a police force which can be trusted, we need to get rid of bureaucracy in the execution, we need a security force which protects our national borders, we need a force which doesn’t have to wait for orders before using their gun against anti national elements.

Like one of the Marcos said “You have to fight a Militant like a Militant”, we will have to equip our security forces with all the latest machinery used to combat such attacks and train them to counter in future. A very interesting perspective from Daily News (US)

Pros deride terrible tactics and poor equipment in face of Mumbai crisis

One U.S. counter terror official said the Indians looked clownish compared to commandos of the British Special Air Service.

Hesitating may have cost lives at places like the Mumbai Jewish community center, experts said. Grenades were still blowing out windows at the Taj on live TV 48 hours after the horror began. Indian authorities “were caught completely unaware,” said Vince Cannistraro, a retired CIA counter terror chief. Supposedly elite commandos appeared to be lacking standard tools: tear gas and masks, laser-sighted guns and stun grenades.They also ineptly rappelled from choppers to rooftops and raised machine guns over their heads to indiscriminately fire into windows at terrorists.

“I find it hard to justify that kind of shooting,” said Chris Voss, a former FBI lead international hostage negotiator.

How can I help?

How can we the citizens of India help to avoid similar or even stronger attack in future and to make our country safe?

I feel helpless right now. I find myself of no good other than sitting in front my computer and searching the internet to gather more and more information possible and try to share it with others.

People say that I should vote if i have to help in any form but

Will my voting choice help?

Will boycotting the elections help?

Will it help if I discuss this with more like minded people?

How can I be of any help, who has very few skills other than things involving a computer?

I will try to find answers for the above in the coming days, weeks, months and probably years. If you also feel like I do and have similar questions or have answers to some of them, please make yourself heard.

Update:

A similar story is going on CNN IBN’s website and there are some interesting reader comments

1. India Police force to be created (Federal level, better pay, good training and latest equipment.) Can even guide state police for better security.
2. Train 5.5 million private security guards standing outside people’s houses,offices and factories etc to be the eyes for the security forces.
3. In peaceful times keeping armed forces at home is of no use when we pay huge yearly bill to sustain them, they should be watching our borders and coast line. They are to be utilized for country security.
4. Security cameras to be used in public locations.
5. No visa from terror countries to India for education, health etc. reasons.

Please push these steps to Indian Government to solve problems rather then scoring political points.

Paul Singh

This is how Taj looked before getting attacked by the Terrorists on 26/11/08.
The Taj Hotel not on fire, originally uploaded by thepetecom

Roof of the Taj Hotel on fire.
Mumbai Terrorist attack on 26th November, 2008, originally uploaded by Soumik Kar

Taj on fire after the attack on 26th November, 2008
Mumbai Terrorist attack on 26th November, 2008, originally uploaded by Soumik Kar

The central dome of Taj burning.
A fire breaks out of the dome of the Taj hotel in Mumbai, originally uploaded by scriptingnews

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The Petrol pump on which the Terrorist hurled a grenade when trying to escape in a police vehicle on 26th.
IMG_5359, originally uploaded by Vinu

Pictures of young Terrorists caught on CCTV camera at Mumbai CST Train Station.
terrorists at Mumbai with AK 47, originally uploaded by dotcompals

Mumbai CST Train Station just after the attack.
Aftermath of anti-western attacks in Mumbai, India. Hotels frequented by western tourists were the focus of the gunfire and bombings on November 26, 2008., originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos

Mumbai CST Train Station just after the attack.
Mumbai CST ( Railway station ), originally uploaded by dotcompals

All Delhi wallas are Mumbaikars today. Click here to read the full story at The Delhi Walla. -Picture by Arko Datta
Dateline Bombay – Oh Taj, 27/11, originally uploaded by Mayank Austen Soofi

Face of Terror? A young terrorist seen with an AK 47 and a sling bag carrying explosives or ammuniation.
Face of a terrorist off NDTV, originally uploaded by dina_mehta

All Delhi wallas are Mumbaikars today. Click here to read the full story at The Delhi Walla – Picture by Peter Keep
Dateline Bombay – Oh Taj, 27/11, originally uploaded by Mayank Austen Soofi

Headlines of newspapers on the 27th morning.
Dateline Bombay – Oh Taj, 27/11, originally uploaded by Mayank Austen Soofi

This image taken from Headlines Today television channel shows an Indian paramilitary soldier firing an automatic weapon in Mumbai November 27, 2008, during what is belived to be a siege situation. Via AFP.
Indian paramilitary soldier firing an automatic weapon, originally uploaded by scriptingnews

A Trident hotel guest waving from the hotel room window.
A Trident hotel guest waving from the hotel room window., originally uploaded by Dileepa Prabhakar

Top cops dead at Mumbai. We pay homage to Vijay Salaskar, Ashok Kamte and Hemant Karkare
Top cops dead at Mumbai, originally uploaded by dotcompals

The frustation of it all
Mumbai Terror Strikes!, originally uploaded by Saket Selot

Smoke coming out of the roof of Taj after an explosion on one of the Top floors.
Mumbai Terror Strikes!, originally uploaded by Saket Selot

Reuters News PhotoSo many horrific images from the Mumbai terror attacks. This photo is a reminder of all the innocent victims. It’s touching how this small child is being cared for so tenderly by this policeman.
Reuters: Policeman gives water to injured child at Mumbai hospital, originally uploaded by karen_2020

TERROR STRIKES AGAIN : Hotel Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai being burnt due to terrorist attacks, bombings and firings on the late wednesday night 26th November 2008. Photo by Reuters.
Burning Hotel Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai (26-11-2008), originally uploaded by rubaljain

Picture courtesy : NDTV INDIA.
Terror Attack on Mumbai, India, yet again. Multiple blasts at five star hotels and other crucial places have been going on throughout the night. These crucial places are under seige. A massive fire broke out on the upper portion of the heritage building of the luxury Hotel Taj at Colaba in Mumbai during an encounter between security forces and terrorists holed up inside. The fire, which now seems to be spreading, was preceded by two explosions and followed by intermittent gunfire. Thick plumes of smoke billowed out of the dome of the hotel located opposite the British colonial era monument of Churchgate of India. More on the Mumbai Terror Attack- www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/default.aspx
TERROR STRIKES AGAIN : Hotel Taj Mahal, Mumbai being burnt due to bombings and firings on the late wednesday night of 26th November., originally uploaded by Stuti ~

IMG_5445, originally uploaded by Vinu

Leopold Cafe just after the shootout.
Leopold cafe after the shoot out, originally uploaded by sidking

Terrorist have carried out series of co-ordinated attacks across the city of Mumbai, killing atleast 100 people and injuring more than 200.
Firemen evacuating guest from Taj hotel, Mumbai.
_DSC3864, originally uploaded by ashesh shah photography

Terrorist have carried out series of co-ordinated attacks across the city of Mumbai, killing atleast 100 people and injuring more than 200.
Firebrigade trying to control fire at Taj hotel
_DSC4044, originally uploaded by ashesh shah photography

Terrorist have carried out series of co-ordinated attacks across the city of Mumbai, killing atleast 100 people and injuring more than 200.Employee from TAj hotel being taken to hospital.

_DSC3830, originally uploaded by ashesh shah photography

Terrorist have carried out series of co-ordinated attacks across the city of Mumbai, killing atleast 100 people and injuring more than 200.
Firemen evacuating guest from Taj hotel, Mumbai._DSC3856, originally uploaded by ashesh shah photograph

Taj Dome still in fire and nearly burnt.
Taj Dome Ablaze ~ 10:45 pm, originally uploaded by ArunShanbhag

National Security Guargs taking part in the oeration at oberoi hotel.
_DSC4040, originally uploaded by ashesh shah photography

Policmen waiting for further order as NSG is carrying out operation the Taj Hotel.
_DSC3927, originally uploaded by ashesh shah photography

Firefighters rush to save the burning Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, India, Thursday, after gunmen launched an attack in the city. AP
Firefighters_ru, originally uploaded by phil.ippin.es

Terrorists at various locations
Terrorists at various locations, originally uploaded by Dileepa Prabhakar

Save Us! Guests stuck in hotel rooms writing on the hotel room window glass panes.
Save Us! Guests stuck in hotel rooms writing on the hotel room window glass panes., originally uploaded by Dileepa Prabhakar

kodak Moment, originally uploaded by me&art

Front page of a local newspaper, nearly all the newspapers in the country had similar shots on the front page showing the tales of horror and terror of could be the strongest terror attack on India.
Terror invades Mumbai, originally uploaded by vinitneo

A lady prays as the operation by NSG commandos go on in a nearby Nariman House
IMG_5767, originally uploaded by Vinu

NSG commandos being dropped of from a Navy Chopper on the Terrace of Nariman House for a Top Down operation.
IMG_5798, originally uploaded by Vinu

Onlookers on the terrace of nearby buildings of Nariman House
IMG_5822, originally uploaded by Vinu

Camera man with Journalist from sky news reporting from outside Nariman house where the operation by NSG commandos is till going on.
IMG_5832, originally uploaded by Vinu

Equipment of sky News team lying on the Road
IMG_5833, originally uploaded by Vinu

Broadcast vehicle of TV Today network
IMG_5824, originally uploaded by Vinu

Road to Nariman House
IMG_5827, originally uploaded by Vinu

Windows of Oberoi Hotel
hotel of hope and spirit., originally uploaded by Rajendrabiswas

Mumbai Police in plain clothes and Bullet proof vest on the ground as ground support for NSG commandos
mumbai-wide-commandoes-cp-5, originally uploaded by photo240779

Mumbai attack on front page on guardian
Amok, originally uploaded by Jase Mueller

BBC Crew opposite Taj Hotel reporting live
BBC Crew, originally uploaded by ArunShanbhag

Supporters for the Troops carrying slogans
Supporter of the troops, originally uploaded by ArunShanbhag

Ambulance rushing towards Nariman Building
Ambulance, originally uploaded by ArunShanbhag

Fire brigades in action from outside & Fire being put out at the Taj
Fire on Taj, originally uploaded by Dileepa Prabhakar

While NSG commandos take their positions in the opposite house the resident take cover behind the bed
Mumbai National Security Guard commandos, originally uploaded by shenton13

Smoke coming out of Nariman House, the jewish center.
Smoke from gunfire outside the areas of conflict in the financial capital of Mumbai, India. It has been reported that over 150 people were killed in the attacks., originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos

An NSG Command fires at the opposite building
Indian Commando fires, originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos

A body of Terrorist dropping out of a window who was shot by a security personnel
A body dropping out of a window. It was pushed out by someone else., originally uploaded by Dileepa Prabhakar

Posters by Supporters for the brave Commandos
Another supporter of the Forces, originally uploaded by ArunShanbhag

Picture of a Terrorist who fell down from a window of Taj after being shot by a security personel. Picture taken by a fireman on his cellphone.
Cell phone pic of terrorist thrown out of a window at Taj, pic shot by a fireman, originally uploaded by Dileepa Prabhakar

Kuber – one of the boats hijacked by the terrorists
Kuber – one of the boats hijacked by the terrorists, originally uploaded by Dileepa Prabhakar

A garmin GPS device used by the Terrorists while entering Mumbai, shoing call lists to Jalalabad in Pakistan.
GPS and Phone used by the terrorists, originally uploaded by Dileepa Prabhakar

Frantic Reporting
IMG_6100, originally uploaded by Vinu

BBC crew reporting live from Taj
BBC Crew, originally uploaded by ArunShanbhag

When whole country was coming together, united as one. Our political parties instead of working together to handle the crisis, were busy exploiting the opportunity.. “Shame” was the general sentiment
Shame…, originally uploaded by Gαurαv

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More Pictures and Links

1. BigPicture (boston.com) has posted 35 pictures of the Attack on Mumbai
2. Pictures from Reuters
3. Nice coverage by IBNLive – Commando in Action, Mumbai on Attack, Mumbai Terrorised
4. Photo essay by FoxNews
5. Arun Shanbhag is clicking/twittering/flickring and posting on his blog on arunshanbhag.com
6. From WallpaperBoss

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Update
Do send links of stories and pictures and those will be updated on the post.

Do you believe this? Now we have Ad for pursuing Terrorism course online and that too on the leading news website? Isnt google supposed to filter all the ads which should be shown?

How can you not eat chicken? What about Meat? Pork? Beef?
No No No !!!

Holy God !!! What do you eat? How do you survive?
Yo baby thats the magic

This video is an entry for the L.I.V.E challenge

What is L.I.V.E?

Lead India Video Entry is an opportunity for you to express your vision for India. We have made an anthem for India featuring India’s best musical talent in the voice of Shankar Mahadevan, music by Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy and lyrics by Gulzar. Now its time for you to tell us your story on based on the anthem.

Here’s how it works. We want you to shoot a video for the Lead India anthem, upload the video on YouTube and then provide us the link. We will feature the videos on www.lead.timesofindia.com and also our channel on YouTube (www.youtube.com/groups/LeadIndia). The best video will be decided on the basis on popularity ratings of the video and points given by the Lead India team.

Please contribute if you find similar videos.

An effort by Times of India which is a unique talent search and has the potential to make a huge difference to India. A hunt to identify new leaders for a new India, men and women with the vision and ability to empower India with the kind of political leadership that is so conspicuous by its absence.

I appreciate the fact that the contestants have done some good work (or even great) for the society and such people should be felicitated and brought in front of the general public but I am not sure about what an average Indian can help to support this initiative other than spending money on sms.

Although there is a lot of voice in support of this initiative, I somehow don’t get a feel that this will make some major changes in the current scenario of Indian politics. However the video which is doing the rounds on Television channels is very inspiring. Take a look …

“Tum Chalo … To Hindustan Chale”

A great and inspiring video with equally powerful vocals from Sukhwinder Singh and Shankar Mahadevan. Will try to get hold of lyrics and their English translation soon.

Few more videos by Abhishek Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra in support of Lead India campaign.

TOI has some great words to present their mission statement here

On August 15, we embarked on an ambitious journey — a unique talent search which has the potential to make a huge difference to India. We began a hunt to identify new leaders for a new India, men and women with the vision and ability to empower India with the kind of political leadership that is so conspicuous by its absence.
   The Lead India campaign stemmed from our belief — and overwhelming reader feedback — that even as India takes giant strides towards fulfilling its undoubted potential, it is doing so despite, not because of, its political leadership. ‘‘Good people don’t want to join politics’’ is an oft-heard lament. And yet, good governance is the cornerstone if India is to overcome the many hurdles that threaten to slow its journey to developed nation status. 
And so, we decided to provide a platform to the good men and women out there who refuse to be daunted by the system, and struggle against massive odds to make life better for their fellow Indians. We invited them to come forward and use the Lead India programme as a springboard to public life.

read more …

Will continue to follow up on this story .. hope this is just a beginning of something great

This is Triund.

At 2900 mts above sea level, 9 kms away from Indrahaar pass, Southern Himalayan Range (Dhauladhar Range).

There was no electricity but just some solar battery panels, the only food available was Maggi and Rice. No motorable road from McLeod Gunj to Triund which is 9 kms away and 1200 mts high.

Just 2 sheds which can provide shelter at night (one can be seen on the right) other than the tea/snack shaks.

P.S – View this photo in the original size to appreciate the full beauty.

Here is another picture which i recently found on the net capturing a similar view of the same location.

Flickr Tags: Triund , McLeod Gunj , Dharamshala , Kangra , Himachal Pradesh , India , Nature , Photography , Wallpaper

India has lifted the world cup today. Took 24 years to become World Cup Champions again.
Its celebrations all over, crackers and fireworks, news channels going mad and the whole country seems to be singing Chak De India.
We have surely made history.

my 32″ LCD had an awesome debut i can never forget. If this is a lucky charm i would buy one every world cup :p

Some images to mark this day

enjoy!!!

[Pictures are intentionally added in small size to

1. reduce the page load time

2. motivate readers to view the full images on flickr with description ]