13th July,2011... We had another Black Wednesday. Mumbai was struck with another terror attack. Three blasts at the peak hours of evening at places bustling with activity left many dead and several injured. It was an act of cowardice killing the innocent which left Indians seething with anger- anger towards the Government, the Intelligence and Security Forces and ofcourse towards the cowards behind it.
Then came the after-effects of the attack. The analysis of every kind by the Media, the condolences and (dumb) promises by the Government and many ways in which the common man expressed his reaction, his views.
This post is with reference to one such article. There was one in TOI with the title- Has Mumbai forgotten its dead so early. The author was of the view that Mumbai was not being sympathetic enough towards the people who lost their lives in the attack. The author said that people should discuss measures to curb such activities, pay condolences to the dead and spread awareness etc. He, overall, disapproved of the so-called indifferent and callous attitude of Mumbai by continuing with their work from the very next day of the attacks.
I found all that not very convincing. What the author has found indifferent and selfish is actually the dire need of the people. Many people who returned to work the next day were people who live from hand to mouth and who struggle to put two square meals together for their families. They returned to work not because they did not want to lose a day of their business and profits but because they cant afford to lose a day's salary.
I think its not that people have forgotten the dead. Not only there is grief for the dead but also there is a deep, chilling fear in the hearts of these people. No one is sure that when they leave in the morning will they be able to meet their family again in the evening. In spite of all this, they leave... they leave for work the very next day. Because, sadly, they do not have any option. They want to feed themselves and their families if they live and that's what they are doing.
