BE THE BEACON

The attack on the Taj and Trident (Oberoi), and the VT in Mumbai, was an attack on the nation. It hit where it hurt most. The Taj is the pride of the nation. It is that beautiful, historical hotel built by Sir Jamshedji Tata to rebuff the Empire and its discrimination on the basis of race. The Oberoi was also built by an Indian who started his career in the ranks. The majestic VT station, is the nerve center of this business capital of India. It hit hard and hurt each and every Indian, wherever he or she was. Indians in any part of the world was glued to their TV sets watching in distress and pain the entire operation minute by minute.
What affected each person was the guile, bravery and fortitude with which people of our police and armed forces of every wing gave their all for us-the citizens of this country. People in uniform have received nothing but ridicule from one and all. They are constantly being criticised for corruption, their ruthlessness, and they are also grudged their pay rises and other perks that are given to them. It is only in a crisis that their worth is appreciated. It is the discipline that they are taught which makes them what they are. Their training and entire being is dedicated to the nation. They do not falter in the face of such dangers, do not think about themselves or their families, but simply obey orders and jump into the fray.
We citizens do nothing but sulk, be cynical and have long discussions, running down everything and everyone, trying to fix responsibility for the calamity that has happened. We then feel very satisfied that we have done our bit by engaging in that arm chair discussion, and then rest assured that nothing can be done for this country. We blame the politician, the bureaucrat and anyone else we can think of, except our own selves. We believe that we always do our duty.
We do not see that the position that we are in is because of our own lapses. We have got the government that we deserved. Our bureaucracy is inefficient as that is how we wanted it to be.
We who have been given this magnificent Constitution on a platter, democracy and also the education to exercise our vote, simply do not make use of this right. Most of us do not vote, as we have the constant complaint that there are no capable choices, or because we are very convinced that there is no honest voting and that the elections are rigged. If we wish to make a difference then we have to be the catalyst. We need to start being alive to the ills of the nation and try to find solutions to them instead of only looking for the culprit whom we can blame.
Seeking divine intervention is also no solution to the ills of the nation. It is we the people, who can make a difference, if we remain aware, alert and active. Our complete devotion to the nation, our determination and diligence will make each one of us a beacon who can go forth and bring about a much needed change and right attitude for going forward in nation building.