“Terrorism is becoming a new breed of virus creeping up the fragile ladder of human life.” The reason why I have used the word Virus here is only because of the simple reason, that even with innovation in the world of technology we are still fighting this tight battle against these tiny microbes. It is not that they hate us or have any form of political or religious gains; to them it is a means of survival. Their most potent weapon against us is that they can evolve against our defenses, and become immune to carry on and continue in their advance at a relentless pace.
It at times feels as though they are carrying this huge emotional hatred against all living things, trying to crumble our defenses and our understanding of these primitive microbes. They have become so relentless that now it has become difficult to make judgments and eradicate many of these mighty microbes. Now may I ask you how different are the terrorist around the world?
At times there is this feeling, a feeling of insecurity and sadness. The emotion at times is so thick I feel I can cut it with a knife and remove it from my body. Terrorism is all of a sudden looking more potent a virus than many other bigger problems than that earth is facing. It has crept up the ladder, though not silently, we are still feeling as though it has come and hit us from a corner when we barely noticed.
As an Indian may I say that we have been sadly plagued by this virus, since the ages of written history? But I do not wish to talk about history, rather of something recent and more personal. I would like to relate an incident from my past,… as a child. I have never been much interested in television, but I can still remember watching a ghastly footage of the then Prime Minister Mr. Rajiv Gandhi being killed brutally and I was shaken and chilled to my bones watching it.
It was as though they had taken the pictures out of a horror movie and were telecasting it again and again. For the first time in my life I saw and felt in my heart the pain of watching somebody I had known, though not personally being murdered in such a horrendous manner. The barbaric act of terrorism and the undeniable feeling of hatred that you can feel hits you almost immediately. But you are not able to comprehend this emotion, answer the questions that arise in your mind which might make you feel better. It stays there like a wound and then like a scar that you can never
erase.
Terrorism has become a common word in my country; the feeling of safety is disappearing. Like a fluttering butterfly which is never satisfied, it is soon to disappear after it flutters aimlessly around our garden. In this mighty huge world I feel as though the word Peace has become that butterfly and the flower the good times. Peace is fragile and has become a rarity these days. The virus has evolved and become strong, fearless and intimidating.
Fearless, fearless indeed, to a point where they are willing to do anything to achieve and procure their pathetic goals. Most of their deeds are somehow targeted at the innocent, who have no involvement in any of their activities and their life. These are the people from another country who are not much aware of their existence, or even the audacity of their crimes. Just like a parasite they infiltrate into our life changing it, manipulating our simple life to their advantage and hence making us into a goat that is being sacrificed for their benefit. My father often tells me, “how can man fight against such insolent hate and violence?” At times I feel hope is the only thing left for man.
Now let me narrate another of act of violence that happened very recently. This happened a week before to be precise it happened during the first week of March 2008. I do know that here in Malaysia the fan following for Cricket is not that much, but for me being an Indian it is a different story altogether. To me I adore this game; it is literally like my life line. I love this game.
Sri Lankan team was on a tour to Pakistan to play cricket. I do know for a fact that both countries love their cricket. Mainly because that’s the only sport that both these countries play that is recognized all over the world. People, from both the countries and the cricketing fans from all over the world were eagerly waiting to see the result. Excitement, imagination and fun must have been the only things running through the minds of the fans, for this game. To their horror and disbelief the Sri Lankan team gets greeted by a group of terrorist on their way to the stadium. They opened fire at the touring team when they were in their bus from both the sides. In the process they killed
five police personal who were on duty escorting, trying to protect the visiting team members. The poor bus driver also got killed. Two of the Sri Lankan team members where shot but to their luck and good grace they escaped. Five other members were also injured in this ghastly act of violence.
“According to the BBC, a gun battle raged between militants and the Sri Lankan team's police escort near the main sports stadium in Lahore on Tuesday morning. At least five policemen and a driver were killed, and seven team members and an assistant coach were wounded, reports the news service. Reports suggest 10 to 12 gunmen ambushed the team coach and its accompanying police escort on a roundabout in the heart of Lahore, as the convoy was on the way to the Gaddafi stadium for a Test match”.
Never is there any answer to such violence; never is there an understanding or truth in such violence. I got the news from my mother when I was sitting and having my dinner at TGI and the first thing that ran in my mind was, I thanked god that it is not my country that was affected, I guess that’s natural but do believe me the pain that hit my heart when I heard, it was so vivid on my face that my wife, daughter and colleague who were sitting in front of me knew that the news was bad. I felt a lot of pity and sorrow for the people affected. For the first few minutes I could not even believe the fact that a poor cricket team that was visiting another nation that loved and adored this game was now at the receiving end.
By the time I reached home news was flowing in from different sources. Another assuring part was, at least none of the players died in this barbaric act. They all survived to tell the tale. Then I wondered when is it that man would find a medicine to eradicate this virus and free us from such insolents acts of hate and barbarism. For the second time in the last three months, Terrorism has affected me directly. Though I am so far and not directly involved in it, it hit my heart and my nerves. At times I wish I could do something to bring a stop to it. For the first time in my life I truly prayed for world peace and asked god to open the eyes of the people and allow them to see things
better. A time when our home “Earth” itself requires our attention, for all the nonsense that we have fed her with, why are we looking for more trouble? I could not understand. Has human life become that invaluable to certain people? May be the answer is Yes, if that’s the case then, what or who is going to provide that Hope for the people who love peace and just want to live their life and make something out of it?
My friends this disease “terrorism” has crossed many borders, it is now using the fragile minds of uneducated people to gain its goals. The only way to stand against this, is to unite in the fight against this evil. Colour, race or religion is not something that we need to consider now. Let us try and communicate, speak the right lines and bring about peace. Bring about tolerance and understanding. To all the children who make the future, I ask of you to make a difference. Understand this need of human life, that we are dependent on one another to survive, to progress and thrive. Violence of any form will only crumble this fragile web of life. Peace, Love and Understanding is the Medicine.
Helen Keller:
“ I do not want the peace that passeth understanding. I want the understanding which bringeth peace”.