Does the person who has unfortunately lost a near and dear from the family ever take any interest in the proceedings of the knowledged ? Is he or she ever going to be ??

Those that are in the profession of asking questions shall always be at a formidable advantage. The ones that answer shall always be weak and defensive. They that ask, defend themselves by charging us on what we are doing for the situation, instead of merely sitting behind closed doors and writing blogs and twitters. May I ask them what they are doing ?? Since the attack I have been inundated by media requests to come live on their respective channels to comment on the situation. They entice me by saying my word counts, it will bring calm and comfort. Rubbish ! It shall bring nothing of the sort. On the contrary it shall only anger the sufferers more, who will look upon it as exploiting a situation for our personal or professional benefit. ” Must be having a film on release ” would be the refrain, which is why he is giving these interviews ! But then the media is right too - ‘when you do have a film on release, do you not come willingly for promotional activities to us ?’. A fair argument, but one that endorses dual purposes. The film and star gets visibility. The station and channel get their eye balls ; stars not being a regular feature on Tv !

What then is the correct logical and accepted approach. Do not ask us to appear on such occasions and comment because in any case we are going to be judged in that as well - ‘ its easy to sit within the safe confines of your home, and speak junk .. shut up ! we don’t need your views ‘ !!

And what of the media. Are they not risking life and property in bringing the news to you, which in other circumstances we would never be aware of ? But do they feel the pain as do the victims or is it just another day at their job - ‘ get a shot of the bodies, blood laden if possible, quotes from those on way to hospital, inside hospitals with the patients, grief stricken weeping relatives … ‘ and then, ’stay with us as we take a break, for when we come back, we will be talking to some more victims’ and cut to, the advantages of a particular drinking water, the latest car on the horizon, a face whitening cream or blade and the cement for generations to come !

I was there in USA, in fact flying in to New York on 9/11 that fateful day. Never, for at least three to four days into the incident, did I see any channel break for any commercials. That is respect. Would we here in our country be ready to do that ?

I see and hear anger and frustration towards incompetence in the protection processes for citizens. When an attack such as this happens and is not controlled, this is a natural reaction. We never react when attacks have been prevented, because it is not spoken of. That needs to be appreciated as well.

I hear hundreds of voices demanding that we have to do something, yet nothing concrete comes of it. What really can we do ? It is not as though the system is unaware of the situation, it is and it does whatever possible. What it requires I feel is for us to be involved as well. Involved in being vigilant, aware, conscious … We are a nation that unfortunately along with our many other severe problems, has now added another to its list - terrorism !

“Ask not what the country can do for you. Ask, what you can do for the country !”, expounded John F Kennedy, in one of his most memorable speeches to the nation. We need to be our own individual ‘policemen’ our own vigilantes, who shall look and observe and and be conscious of what goes on around us all the time. We are all vulnerable and we need to be putting in our own effort too during this vulnerability. If all of us are watchful to our surroundings, I am certain we can contribute greatly in lending support to the formal security forces of the country. Let every individual know that he or she is being watched and noticed. Yes it is not the ideal situation in a free country and environment, but then the condition too is not ideal. Let us all undergo a training exercise on some basic anti terror actions. Make it mandatory for every citizen, I shall be the first to join !! There are many nations in the world that, finding themselves in such condition have exercised this option. Israel and Korea come to mind off hand, not to forget the US of A some years ago.

And yes … the most important factor - TALK ! Talk to the adversary, understand why they insist on such deed, attempt to discover solutions, get him on your side. In a war where the enemy is faceless and unknown, this is the only feasible process to ease the matter. Never ever lose this option, even if it misguides. At least you know that you were wrong. In the other we will never know whether we were right .. or wrong !!!

Amitabh Bachchan