Who created terror? Who created these terrorists?

Just over a week now since the dreaded attacks on what some describe as the only ‘true’ vibrant democracy in the world, and the pain hasn’t eased. The people of India still hurt; the world still condemns and Pakistan still promises! The irony is that this sequence of emotional rhetoric has now become embarrassing to say the least. It’s a reflection of the larger helplessness of mankind that is now a victim of its own doing and the truth is there are no easy answers or solutions. No security force, no intelligence service, no politician can stop this terror till we all accept its roots.

After almost 10 days of relentless media coverage and all the analysis I have to say that I’m extremely disappointed with the entire blame game, the politicizing of the issue and the moral high ground that most media have taken in keeping this issue alive for their greater TRP/circulation interest and not the actual cause. The media has been quick to blame politicians for their lack of a united stand but have the media shown any unity? Have they said we will all not give politicians any airtime?

It’s time we ask ourselves some pertinent questions. Who created terror? Who created these terrorists?

The answer is simple – we all did. It’s our selfishness and ignorance of another human’s misery as long as it isn’t ours, our hatred, our need for power, our greed, our lack of integrity, our convenience (the list is endless) but most of all our increasing inability as a race to spread love, that has got us where we are today. No one is clean today not you not me! We have all contributed in some way to this either by our actions or our ideologies. All it takes is one racist jibe; one act of bribery; one act of ignorance to someone else’s misery and the ripple effect begins.

The more powerful (countries/politicians/terror leaders etc) just expose these frailties of the common man to benefit themselves with no consideration of the consequences and the sad part is that the common man obliges!

Clashing ideologies and the resulting horrific acts aren’t new to man. The world wars and numerous civil wars are testament to that. But has man learnt no and therein lies the problem.

Unless, all mankind truly stand together side by side and individually commits to acting against terror nothing will change. It doesn’t take much, just small steps that will have a far greater impact collectively.

Unfortunately, action gets represented as monetary support, which isn’t the answer. The problem is far deeper and stems from corruption, discrimination and helplessness. I honestly believe that if we all can act on these three we will be able make a difference. Let’s all commit to the following if it inconveniences us:
1) Don’t support corruption if anything report it
2) Don’t spew hatred even if you can’t spread love – no discriminatory remarks is where it begins
3) Be benevolent to the needy – every acts helps

As I understand from media reports, all it took was Rs. 1.5 lacs (US$ 3100 approximately) for the family and some love and recognition to misguide the terrorist (won’t name him and make him more popular than he already is) who is currently alive and under interrogation from the heinous Mumbai attacks. People even kill for a lot less money than that today.

Can we all that better that? Can we not love? Can we not recognize? Can we not support?

Let’s not get overwhelmed by our helplessness, but realize instead, that we all can make a difference.

In this war on global terror no contribution is small!!