Wednesday, November 25, 2009

HAS TO B READ TODAY - NOVEMBER 26 - MUMBAI SEIZE!

The 2008 Mumbai attacks were more than ten coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across Mumbai, India's financial capital and its largest city. The attacks, which drew widespread condemnation across the world, began on 26 November 2008 and lasted until 29 November, killing at least 200 people and wounding at least 308.

Eight of the attacks occurred in South Mumbai: at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, the Orthodox Jewish-owned Nariman House, the Metro Cinema, and a lane behind the Times of India building and St. Xavier's College. There was also an explosion at Mazagaon, in Mumbai's port area, and in a taxi at Vile Parle. By the early morning of 28 November, all sites except for the Taj Mahal Palace had been secured by Mumbai Police and security forces. An action by India's National Security Guards (NSG) on 29 November resulted in the death of the last remaining attackers at the Taj Mahal Palace, ending all fighting in the attacks. - Wikipedia

Today, the episode completes one year of its occurrence. I salute all the fighters (right from some police officials to fire fighters to NSG commandos), who fearlessly risked their lives and fought against this war of terror. My sincere homage to all the 'heroes,' who died in the encounter and also to all the innocent people killed. May their souls rest in peace.

But 1 year down the line what is happening at our end? The answer would largely be 'ALMOST FORGOTTEN. LIFE GOES ON. LIFE IS ALL ABOUT CELEBRATION. REMEMBER GOOD TIMES!' Yeah, rite! Tell this to those whose loved ones survived this horrid night and came back - and those who did NOT! Have we learnt the language of revenge yet? Again an emphatic "NO!" We r still largely looking at our security officials to protect us, who are also usually slack in their duty or are ill-equipped to face difficult situations like this one. Or, we can say, situations turned difficult owing to the gap. Their unsupported valor is what is eventually left  for our safeguard. Of course, better equipment, training, efficient systems, sincere approach, etc. are the MUST HAVES at the government level. But, we need to do our bit too. If we, 'highly placed, competent VIP turned helpless common person during life staking situations' cannot do anything for anyone else, lets at least equip ourselves for 'self'-defense to reduce the quantum of damage and load on those risking their lives for us. In routine life also, learning art and science of self-defense is something we can never ever regret. Do think about it!

Leaving you with this very powerful scene from the film 'The Wednesday.' Do find out 10 minutes to let it play completely and sink in - to anger and sadden at least one corner of your heart and hopefully brain too. Happy & Safe Living!     

http://broadband.glamsham.com/a-wednesday/nasruddin-shah-last-dialogue-stupid-common-man-video_91aa6f334.html


Friday, November 13, 2009

World Tamil conference postponed (June 2010)

The ninth World Tamil Conference that was scheduled for January next year has been postponed by several months, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said Tuesday.

Karunanidhi said the conference has been postponed on the request of Tamil scholars who wanted more time to prepare their papers for presentation at the summit in Coimbatore.

Before the announcement, he chaired the meeting of the committee that was formed to work out the modalities of the conference.

According to state government official, the conference will now be held in late June or early July.

Meanwhile the announcement has invited strong reaction from the leader of the opposition J. Jayalalithaa.

She said earlier Tamil conferences were held under the auspices of International Association of Tamil Research (IATR) and wondered why the state government is holding the summit independently.


Source : http://sify.com/news