Mumbai Attacks & Terrorism

Now it's more than 37 hours since it all started in Mumbai Wednesday 9.30 PM in the night.One of the most fierce terrorist attacks in the history of the country with 125(if not more) reported dead and 327 injured.The hostage situation still continues in Taj Mahal Hotel,Oberoi-Trident Hotel and Jewish centre at Nariman house.
I came home quite late on Wednesday night and was not at all aware of what was going on in Mumbai.Yesterday's local morning newspaper caught my attention.But somehow the report was not very detailed explaining the magnitude and gravity of the situation.Throughout the day in office we were going through the blogs/twitter and online media to get a detailed description of the events.


Everyone has condemned this attack as usual in their own ways.Some have blamed the politicians & government,some have praised the resilience and spirit of the Mumbaikars,some cursed our neighbouring country,some expressed concern on India's economic future etc. etc.May be everyone is correct to some extent from their own perspectives.I was pondering upon the question is this terrorism a modern phenomenon a new threat which has appeared in the international scene for past 10-20 years?
I feel that the term "Terrorism" and it's external manifestation might me new in the post world war times but it's very essence is not.We have always seen in the history of mankind that forces of creation and destruction are always evolving side by side and hand in hand.When Roman was basking in glory and riches barbarians were grumbling at their gates;when Rome weakened the gates were broken and Europe lost it's way in the Dark Ages.When we learnt that earth is round and about new sea routes and lands there were explorer,missionaries and merchants but along came the pirates.May be the problem is that Mother Nature and system we have built does not provide equally for all.Everyone driven by it's genetic behaviour want's to survive.If not with a pen then why not with a gun?.
The point I am trying to make here is:this is not a new problem or latest threat it was there and will be there in one form or the other.These incidents should not be viewed in isolation and are not just related to any specific regional and communal issues.So we need to device our strategy and plan accordingly to fight this situation driven by our own survival instincts or we will be gradually outplayed by these forces into a state of chaos and horror.I think the stand and strategy Israel has taken against terrorism is something we should take a close look at.But our challenge will be to implement a similar surveillance and intelligence system in a country so densely populated.Anyway we need to get back to the whiteboards and chalk out something rising above partisan politics and communalism.