Delhi Ravaged…Again
They ravaged Delhi – arguably one of India’s most beautiful cities and also my hometown – once again in a deadly deathly manner. Five blasts ripped asunder a quiet Saturday evening, two of which incised through its throbbing heart – Connaught Place and its breathtakingly beauteous (newly opened) Central Park.
These are not mere names. For me, Barakhamba Road, Connaught Place, Central Park, Karol Bagh et al, are not far off places read about in the papers or stories. Every inch, every pavement, every side-walk there contains my life’s indelible memories. In Gopaldass Bhawan (Barakhamba Road, the site near which one of the bomb’s blasted) I did my first job. Ghaffar Market (Karol Bagh, the second site) is where my friend and I bought those cheap imitation designer shirts, when money was tight but ambition was loose. In fact, in his house there have spent many a drunken reverly filled evenings. My parents and I spent a lovely new year’s eve last year at the Central Park.
I know I rave and rant. But then I am hurt, pained, shocked, angry and frustrated. Perprators of these crimes coolly send off emails, before and after such dastardly acts, and the series continues all across the country, but our forces wring their hands in impotent helplessness. This episode will not differ from the Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Bangalore blasts – their will be ‘clues’ but no arrests, there will be ‘suspects’ but no convictions. It’s a sickly repetitive screenplay, worse than any daily soap, where the stories never move, and the characters only age but never progress.
Weren’t the villains supposed to be caught in the end? Weren’t the heroes supposed to win?When will this horrifying movie end?
Channels will create noise and hype and thrust their dirty mikes in front of victims and police forces – disturbing both with their uniformly uncaring callousness… till the time next rocking news is obtained – and that could mean anything from Aishwarya Rai’s pregnancy to birth of another big crime!
Over centuries, Delhi has been raped and robbed, desecrated and despoiled, several times. Yet, without beating its breasts about its spirit, it has stood firm with a poignantly stoic face, resting its burnt soul unyieldingly on the solid Aravallian rocks and red sandstones.
Delhi’s immensely abundant infrastructural progress in the past few years has quietened many a cynic and prided its citizens – including myself. Perhaps, hamari hi nazar lag gayi.
May it find a fresh bout of strength.
My prayers are with thee, O Delhi, my city, my home!
My prayers are with thee, O India, my country, my abode!
Sunday, 21. September 2008 7:55
I can understand ur sorrow and pain but this pain belongs to all of us.
Thursday, 25. September 2008 10:33
I can totally understand how it must be for you… i was wary coming to office the next monday….
Friday, 26. September 2008 9:13
You have actually said what I had in my mind, I am most unfortunate to be present during bomb blasts both in my hometown and my adopted city. I was in Mumbai during the train blasts and in Ahmedabad when they happened recently, really made me feel that what am I doing bringing a new life into this crazy world.
Monday, 29. September 2008 13:50
Delhi ravaged….again…and again
Sunday, 5. October 2008 20:51
Vandy – Yes…it is, but its happening a bit too regularly now
Anks – true…
Pri – Hey, how r u? Long time no hear! I m sure the world will improve…it has to if it has to survive…
Zoya – yeah…but i hope its ab bas now!
Wednesday, 14. January 2009 2:20
Generally I do not post on blogs, but I would like to say that this post really forced me to do so! really nice post.
Saturday, 28. February 2009 15:54
I must say that you provide genuine, quality information. Thanks for this!
BTW, dpn’t you think your blog needs a better wordpress template?
Tuesday, 28. April 2009 1:30
Please, can you PM me and tell me few more thinks about this, I am really fan of your blog…
Saturday, 30. October 2010 17:50
You you should change the page name Random Expressions » Blog Archiv » Delhi Ravaged…Again to more specific for your content you write. I loved the blog post withal.
Wednesday, 17. November 2010 8:03
Thanks