Mumbai Mayhem: We Will Come out Stronger!

Terrorists attack on Mumbai has indeed shaken the whole country. The magnitude and the variety of the attacks that we witnessed on our screens would have long term impact on everyone's mind. My daughter who is 13 yrs old asked me, who are these terrorists, where have they come from, what do they want, why are they killing the innocent people, how come they are not scared of dying??? I could not answer her all questions satisfactorily. We were just watching the pictures on the TV screen with deep anguish and feeling of helplessness.

This is where the Politicians of the Country have brought us. We stand for these idiots on the roads to let them pass, his horn blaring, Black Cats all around him/ her. High time we brought them down to mother earth. Now is the time to select good leaders. We should immediately take the following actions.

Firstly, do not let any Politician who is more than 60 years to stand for elections. This would eliminate lot of old creaking furniture and we would be able to inject fresh blood in the system.

Secondly,remove all these XYZ categories of Security given to these Politicians. Only the President, Vice president, PM, should be given the security.

Thirdly,throw out all the Politicians who are having Charge Sheets pending against them as also those who had criminal record in the past.

Fourthly, make the three service Chiefs who have just retired as the Defence Minister, National Security Advisor and Home Minister in rotation. This would allow continuity and they would not be from any Political Party. They would have fixed tenure of Three Years.

Fifthly, remove all restricting Articles of Constitution that give dual powers to the States like J&K,North East States, Himachal Pradesh etc. If necessary immediately pass a constitutional amendment to this effect.

Sixthly,remove all the classes that are separating us from each other i.e OBC,SC,ST,Creamy ST/SC/OBC. It is really abhoring to see how the Government has raised the income upto 4.5 Lakhs per annum in order to fill the quotas. This disparity is killing our vitals and making our system weak from within. VP Singh has done massive damage to Indian polity and the masses and would effect us for long time to come. This aspect should be addressed immediately.

Seventhly,treat law and order as Union subject and have the Police reforms done in such a way, that there is mixed Police for the wholecountry. Initially, the BSF was manned by the officers from the Army and it had great impact. Now, parallel absorption is not there and they have become kingdoms in their own way and enjoy the Home Ministry perks.

Eighthly, have unified intelligence gathering machine under one HEAD.This could again be retired Chief and under him would be separate heads for Internal Security and External Security.

Ninethly, bring parity in the ranks of Bureacrats and the Armed Forces. It is noted with concern that they send their representative to our Staff Courses at various levels, however, they do not allow the reciprocal representation. This is a deliberate step taken by them and this is self defeating.

Tenthly, let us train our Police effectively. Let them be manned by Defence service Officers at various levels and this would increase the cooperation between them as also would facillitate quick action in times of emergency and the training would automatically improve too.

These are the measures that should be taken by us immediately and also send a stern warning to our neighbours to desist from supporting the terrorist activities from their soil. This was a good opportunity to sort out Pakistan and the present conditions would have supported our actions. The resignation of Mr Shiv Raj Patil is indeed not a remedy and by appointing Mr Chidambram as Home Minister we have further complicated the issue. He is a mathematical and commerce man, it would have been very apt in case the Government had appointed somebody from the Defence background. The coming days are very crucial and whole World is watching us. We will come out more stronger with this massive hit that we have taken. we will show the world, yes we can too!!!

SPS Malhotra