Comments on: Against fear

By: Kanan V. Jaswal

Kanan V. Jaswal — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:44:36 +0000

Not the tough laws but constant vigil by the citizenry and the government authorities can stop terrorism. And this is easier said than done, because the citizens are not law-abiding themselves and believe in the philosophy of “everything goes” (chalata hai) and the authorities are incompetent or corrupt or, most likely, both. So, unless something drastic is not done to the way people think in this country, we will have a repeat of “Mumbai’ over and over again - that’s the unfortunate truth.

By: Jay

Jay — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:14:45 +0000

Great thoughts, Mr. Nilekani. It’s very encouraging for a corporate face like yourself to speak up regarding such a situation.

We are facing tough times. We need to stay united. Now, more than ever.

By: Vishal Singh

Vishal Singh — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:05:49 +0000

Nandan - I am not sure if this post will appear in the blog as it can be conveniently be interpreted as communal- which sincerely is not my case or agenda.
Today there is a deep turmoil in Islamic world and also in the hearts of many peace loving Muslims. The peace loving Muslims are confused as Islam which provides a framework to lead a honest life is also used by terrorist to kill innocent people. The fact of the matter is that a terrorist group will go to any lengths to create mayhem. The free world is looking at a threat which it has not seen after the fall of communism. Today if the strategy of the free world is to strengthen only its internal security then it will not work in long run. If I cannot kill your citizens in your country I will kill them somewhere else is the mantra of terrorist.
One has to take the war to the enemy. If a coordinated action is not taken by the world by taking on the terrorist in their dens then
we are going to see more mayhem.

Having said all this I fully agree that cities are the growth engines of our country and they need to be empowered to have a efficient administration.

Vishal

By: Harsha

Harsha — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 01:18:01 +0000

Nandan

We being defensive and trying to improve internal security institutions will not bring any paradigm shift in situation. It can not substitute political defeat of terrorist actions.

Terrorists do not have military capacity to fight nation states, unless they are backed by another nation state. We need to weaken the centers of terrorism; immediately start well designed war against terrorism on ground, through diplomacy and later in media . It may not be even called war in conventional sense and should look proactive than reactive.

Indian Army is definitely competent on ground and quite successful against terrorists since two decades now. But our politicians are not competent to manage national /international media as well as diplomacy for such an action; they lack political will for changing equations in International lobbies.

We have to get everyone’s endorsement on the fact that “Pakistan is fast becoming center of terrorism after Afghanistan’s debacle”, now this is against US interest of concentrating on Bin Laden and Afghanistan. US will have to support our actions; otherwise their any intentions in South Asia will star to lack credibility. Recent Obama statement is first evidence that we can get US support on Merit of situation, we need to push it further. Even Pakistan Government’s readiness to support us should come as follow up to our action, not just in talking to each other. We might trust Pak Govt. intentions, but not their competency. We have to do it ourselves first.

The rise in Internal Security and Nuke Tensions through such an action is risk worth taking. US was at a distance from Al Qaeda, we are close to terror than anyone else. We should also give a leadership of such action to Muslims in Indian Army. Simultaneously socio-economic relations with Pakistan should be improved by taking popular risks like liberalizing visa policies for who we really think are common citizens.

We need to be focused!

Me ‘Imagining Strategic India’, going practically ahead after much celebrated ‘strategic’ indo- u.s. nuke deal.

By: Venkat

Venkat — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:42:57 +0000

Hi Nanda

I was searching for your book “Imagining India” in google
I came across a book with the same name by Ronald B Inden

I have not read any of the books but am surprised ..

Imagining India
By Ronald B. Inden
Published by C. Hurst & Co. Publishers, 2000
ISBN 1850655200, 9781850655206
298 pages

By: K.K.Padmanabhan

K.K.Padmanabhan — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:43:52 +0000

Security in Mumbai Taken Down Before Attack, Despite Specific Warnings | LaRouche Political Action Committee - November 30, 2008 (LPAC

Attempted Coverup of British Role India Nails British Dope, Inc. British Authorship Of Mumbai Terror Spilling Out LaRouche: British Intelligence Is Behind Mumbai Massacre.

There can be more going on behind the scenes than what meets the eye. The more well informed we become the more realistic and unified our responses can be.

There are both responsible and irresponsible politicians. While we shun and shame the irresponsible politicians we should also appreciate and thank the responsible politicians for what they do to keep things in order.

There is a hidden order in Indian society which runs very deep when compared to many nations of the world, and there are many politicians who are supportive in maintaining that order.

We should all as soon as possible shun Lazy and Superficial Thinking and start thinking more deeply like what you are doing.

By: Kavita

Kavita — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 20:25:58 +0000

Nandan,

I have been disturbed by the attack on Mumbai….Since last 4 days I have been thinking” where are we heading to”…On one side Capitalists like you, who have given a better future to Indian middle class, heve been weaving dreams for us and we have been participating in it and dreaming for a better India, by working hard. But one the other hand, our politicians have been igonoring all our hardwork and have been eating up on all our taxes for their own whims and fancies…It kills me to see that a citizen like you and me who pay heavy taxes to this government have zilch security and ploiticains like Vilas Rao Desh Mukh, who did not even pay is electricity bill (case registered by Maharashtra Electricty Board) have all security for themsleves and have the courage to ignore the information given by Intelligence Bearau…
As a common Indian, we can unite and fight…But as powerful Indians, coprporates should also unite to fight…People Like Ratan Tata and you should unite and pressurize governments to take action….India is not shining because BJP government did something..It is shining because of Economic Policies in 1991 and people like you, who had a vision..I hope visionaries like you will not let this hope die because of this useless government and will use “Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed” to make sure that India Inc. progresses as usual,,,,which will not happen till the time you and your employees are safe.

By: P Kannan

P Kannan — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 13:19:26 +0000

Nanden, All,
I understand your concerns, calmness. Thoughts and action are what needed.
1) Analyse. Who, what, how and why
2) Gaps: There are many. Socio-politico-economic!
3) Action - Defense: Unified defense theory, training, preparation. (Strategic and Tactical).
4) Action - Offense: Surgical strike into terrorist camps.
5) Perceived grievances seem to take hold. There are many poor in India. They are not perpetrating terror. Yes. There are poor muslims; does not mean that they or others claiming their name can perpetrate terror!

By: Marne O'Shae

Marne O'Shae — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:01:47 +0000

Given the early reports that the attackers appeared Asian, well-armed and well-trained, that they appeared to know the layout of the hotel and to have headquarters within it, it would seem that this attack was planned and carried out by very high-level authorities. I say authorities because it is unlikely that anyone from a cave in Pakistan could achieve this level of military-style commando attack. These young men were suicide mission agents. The survivors said they had smiles on their faces as they sprayed bullets. Were they drugged? High on amphetamines to sustain a three day spree?
After the unraveling of the lies around 9 11, one has to wonder who really sent these “terrorists”?
And why? Who wants India under martial law? Who does it benefit? Answer those questions and you’ll find the trail to the people who designed and funded these attacks.

By: Peter Chan

Peter Chan — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 22:19:30 +0000

We in the UK have been glued to the TV for the past 72 hours watching the Mumbai hostage drama unfold. Horrendous scenes of mindless violence, but brought to us by what I regard as the best and most objective Television channel in India - NDTV (sorry to keep going on about NDTV, but I do like their style of reporting).
I was immensely touched by all the stories of heroism, self sacrifice and the heartache of all those who lost loved ones. But what came shining through all this was the decency of ordinary people in Mumbai. They made sensible and rational comments despite all the trauma they had suffered. There was no jingoism or demands for retaliatory action against the neighbouring state from which the terrorists seem to have come from. Their utter disdain for politicians, especially those who tried to score political points in this hour of crisis was obvious. All this is very well, but when the dust settles - will the opinions of these sensible people carry any weight among the ordinary electorate, most of whom are easily manipulated by crafty politicians?
If change is to come from this incident, there needs to be a groundswell of action from level headed folk - the likes of which we saw on TV recently.