Picture from a recently concluded PanIIT

I will compile the words of wisdom that will flow from the foul mouthed politician who will try to take political mileage after the gruesome incident in Mumbai

 bade shahron mein aise ek adh hadse hote rahte hain. Woh 5,000 logon ko marne aye the lekin humne kitna kum nuksan hone diya . (Such small incidents happen in big cities. They (terrorists) came to kill 5,000 people but we ensured minimal damage)

The wannabe Shahrukh Khan, ex-Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra R R Patil.

Some women wearing lipstick and powder have taken to streets in Mumbai and are abusing politicians spreading dissatisfaction against democracy. This is what terrorists are doing in Jammu and Kashmir

BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. Yes Mr. Naqvi, the illiterate politicians really make India proud.

If it had not been (Major) Sandeep’s house, not even a dog would have glanced that way

Kerala chief minister V S Achuthanandan responded on Monday to the family of NSG Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, slain in the Mumbai terror attack during commando operations, after he was refused by the Major’s father.

I had to return to blogging. I just couldn’t resist myself after reading a mail this morning. This gentleman from Pakistan writes-

This is two part series of a very enlightening interview from Amaresh Misra, a renowned historian, an activist who witnessed the tragic events in Mumbai. He has a very different view of the things occurred.
He wrote a book  on te 1857 war of Indepedence. (http://www.warofcivilisations.blogspot.com/)
He is one the few voices who were not given much coverage by the “Pseudo Secular” Indian media.

He brought some interesting insights into the tragedy:

1. The mysterious circumstances under which the ATS Chief Karatke and the top brass was wiped out.

2. The number of muslims killed which are around 30.

3. The mystery behind Nariman House and his inside scoop on this place.

4. The identity of Terrorists.

Well, have you ever heard to Amaresh Mishra? The whole point is that you dig out material that conforms your view and present that as an authentic piece.

I don’t care if the above statements carry any weight or not. But I am concerned by the sheer audacity of terrorists that spread havoc in the city. Suddenly terrorism is at our door steps. Suddenly terrorism is a major concern in the corporate world, which was previously was just concerned minting money. The attack on the Taj has instilled a sense of anger that cannot be calmed down so easily. How does it feel to hear news on the TV channels that few fanatics are firing at will on the same railway station your brother is waiting for the train? How does it feel that your wife is texting you that she is under her bed in the hotel room and a terrorist has just entered her room? How does it feel when you get phone calls from children whom their parents left behind home for a party in the Taj? And it all happened in that fateful night. I was lucky to have seen everyone come out safe but is it just a matter of time? It’s not just the bazaars which are at risk now, it’s also the banquets at 7 star hotels which can now be blown to pieces.

The juvenile email above fans my anger. The 60 hours of drama is over but the scars would remain for years. This isn’t an era where terrorist attack would happen every 2 or 3 years, they can happen every month. People who used to treat the threat terrorism posed to the India as frivolous, seems to have woken up. I am not going to write and write on this topic each day. Its because at present this is the only way i can vent my anger.

It’s 7:00 PM in Chennai. Normal flight traffic has just resumed after some heavy down-pour in the evening. And here is the scene at the Air India’s control room at the airport-

2 youngsters, in their late 40s, walk into the control room.

Youngster 1: Dude, will Air India fly today? How will they convince the air hostesses that their make-up won’t fade away because of the drizzle and moisture?

Youngster 2: No idea. I suppose they will wait till the drizzle has completely stopped and the humidity level has reached 60%. It’s 95% now.

The big humidity meter, hung on the central wall, was slowly showing signs of a decrease.

Youngster 2: Dude, what time is it?

Youngster 1: Wait, let me ask the Jet Airways gals. We don’t even have watches..hehe

Meanwhile in the Air India air hostess’s (AH) dressing room

AH 1: We just have 1 hour to get our make-ups on. Why can’t they recruit younger air hostesses? I am fed with this long exercise of applying lotions, powders and all this after an hour long facial.

AH 2: And what will you do? Clean plates or replace those dudes at the information desk in the waiting lounge who cannot even afford a wrist watch!

“How long will aunties take to dress up! We have been waiting for more than 3 hours now. This kind of negligence will push us to shun Air India. Even the low cost airlines are punctual about the timings!”

A faint voice from the corridor, just outside the room labelled ‘Girl’s Room (GR)’.

AH 3: Gals. Any idea about the meter reading? I am afraid I have to leave immediately or else the angry crowd will enter our GR and take us away on the flight.

AH 2: Oh my God! It must be terrible for you then. We cannot even venture out of our safe heaven to the control room. These rowdy passengers! I head someone calling us aunty!! It seems like the kingfisher gals have raised the expectation of these passengers.

The loudspeaker at the GR comes to life.

“Ladies be ready for AI 535 departure. We are extremely pressed for its departure and this means you have to venture out at humidity level of 87%. We have taken care of your transit to the plane through the escape route. Please don’t even think of taking the main door.”

Meanwhile at the control room

Youngster 1: Dude. Lets go to the washroom. Do you have a pencil?

Youngster 2: Why?

Youngster 1: Do you have it or not?

The Manager walks in.

Manager: Dudes! What are you doing here! You should be at the information desk in the waiting lounge. Now rush. It’s never too late.

The 2 youngsters leave the control room. Youngster 1 goes to the washroom on the way. The door of the washroom looks something like this-

Few contents have been erased because of the obvious reasons.

And this story repeats each day.

PS- This is just a fictional story based on my ordeal at the Chennai airport. AI staff, please don’t feel offended…we need to laugh to suppress our anger.