Saturday, July 26, 2008

A friend in Ahmedabad

This is so scary. I have a friend in Ahmedabad and just yesterday evening we were discussing our children's future careers and our respective weight losses. Our children have been class mates for years, we have shared countless meals, my kids love her 'raitas' and desserts. Yesterday, we also talked about how like real life is 'Jaane tu, ya jaane naa'...

When I saw the News at 8 45 PM, I started calling them, but as expected all lines were jammed, then finally I sent her an SMS. Around ten minutes ago she called to reassure us that they were all fine, but I realised how shaken they all were. She said, she stood in her balcony and told her daughter who had just come back from a coaching class, "All we can do is pray that this is the end of all the violence atleast for now!", and the moment the words were out they saw a huge ball of fire and heard the loud sound, of the Civil Hospital Blast. Her young daughter, looked like she had gone mad with fear and sudden panic... Soon afterwards her daughter's friend called to say, "How can they do this in the name of majhab?" And they realised what this means for Gujrat's fragile communal peace!

It makes me so sad to watch women on the TV crying in pain...will it be our city next? Should I drive the kids for their classes, or should we stay at home tomorrow? My stomach is tight with shock and horror, the visuals this time are terrifying. Slippers left beind by victims with blood and flies, broken glass and frightened onlookers, all in a daze. And then I see the BJP spokesperson (Rudy) asking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh if this is the celebration of their victory in the Trust Vote!! Have they no scruples? What we need are immediate relief measures and all the support, not politics. No, we do not need politics at such a time.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is shocking, and very tragic. I can never understand why anyone would want to kill innocent people :( And yes, there is the worry of which city is next :(

D said...

But I have a niggling feeling this too is politics, these blasts.

Mampi said...

Exactly,
... and I wondered if my city is the next...?
We are all so insecure, so worried, so scared for our children, our world, our country. And our politicians are busy in the eternal blame-game. Shame on them !

Anonymous said...

Actually it is because of such short sighted politics that these things happen. It is very sad, and we dont feel safe any more

Anonymous said...

Yes, with city after city being targeted, everybody must be asking these questions to themselves - do I go out tomorrow or stay at home?

But for how long can one stay home? I was talking with my mother who is in Mumbai last night and asking her to avoid traveling by trains and buses - How do I live my life if I live in fear like this, she asked me. If my time has come, I will go, she said, whether I am at home, in a bus, train or hospital. Made me cry but it is so true.

Sorry for the long comment. I don't know about the politics behind this, it is the human face of the tragedy that haunts me.

Roop Rai said...

i can't imagine witnessing such a travesty. may everyone who went through it have the strength to move on with optimism. horrific. really. i don't know how anyone can hurt others and be so insensitive at others' pain. really. horrible.

Pinku said...

Perhaps its time we ordinary people took matters in our own hands and did something since the politicians our so called leaders will only sit and make statements for the benefit of media and sensationalism.

Gauri Gharpure said...

the city is literally a piece of my heart and the news was alarming...you hear such news and a kind of numbness takes over for a while..

this trend of senseless violence has become all to common and easy to perpetrate.

and i am totally in for Devaki's comment...her mom's logic and strength shows the spirit that enabled Mumbai to swing back to life the very next day after the multiple train blasts...

it's most unfortunate that political parties lose no time to chance on deaths and make it a political issue...

Indian Home Maker said...

Lekhni And people from both the communities have died, so whatever and whoever it is, obviously has no GOD or religion.

D Everybody is saying that, I fear that too.

Mampi True:( ...But finally I went out and decided we cannot lock ourselves in our houses.

Phoenixritu At the same time we must realise that it is a world wide phenomena....

Devaki Loved your mom's response. I felt the same way, though more because there seemed no choice, schools, classes and life must go on:(
I appreciate the time you took to write a comment, a long comment is even more welcome :)

Roop Rai I wonder if how they will react to crowded places and loud noises, will they ever be the same? For a long time after Uphar Cinema fire I did not want to watch any movies in theatre.

Pinku But how?? Maybe by making sure we vote. Or better by joining politics...

Gauri Gharpure Yes. And when it happens to a city yu have known and loved , I can imagine how you feel.I agree with every word. We can and must continue to fight by not being terrified.

सुजाता said...

http://sandoftheeye.blogspot.com/2008/07/blog-post_30.html

this is the translated version of your post -How important is it for a girl to get married? on चोखेर बाली

and this is review of comments on this post -
http://sandoftheeye.blogspot.com/2008/08/blog-post.html

pls see !

Indian Home Maker said...

Sujata Thanks! A Hindi blog definitely reaches out to a larger number of people, appreciate your efforts!I was trying to find a Hindi font...

Renu said...

Infact we dont need politics at any time. What we need is a good administration and people friendly policies not vote getting tactics.

Unknown said...

IHM,

You're right. Politics at this point (or any as renu points out) is disgraceful!

It's almost as disgraceful as the terrorists themselves.