Aftermath of Terror

One of the worst aftermaths of terror strikes, war is ‘Disability’. It is often the most neglected aspect. Wars and Terror attacks not only cause loss of life and property but also disable victims.
More than loss of life, the worst consequence is disability due to war as the victim and his family has to struggle and suffer throughout their life.

Today(3rd December) is World Disability Day. It is an important day for the 70 million people with disabilities in India as well as so many more all over the world. NO steps have been taken by the Government of India to help them. Even the basic rights of education, employment and access are not available to people with disability.

The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. Dignity and justice for all of these people is the theme of this year’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities. I take this opportunity to spread the awareness oh behalf of these people.

Tour must go on

By the time I had switched on the TV yesterday, the result of the India-England match was irrelevant. The terror attacks in Mumbai naturally overshadowed mere cricket. It is natural and understandable that England should want to call off the tour and go home. News reports suggest that the rest of the matches have been postponed. A postponement can last more than a year or can be used as a diplomatic term for abandonment.

I feel that the tour must continue fairly promptly, even if England take a break to let things calm down and return after Christmas. England owe it to India and their fans to demonstrate that life must go on after such senseless carnage. The cliche about not letting the terrorists win can sound trite, but it is a valid one. Even though reports suggested that the terrorists were seeking British and Americans, the bulk of those who died or were wounded were Indians. England should stay and compete as a mark of respect to them.

Naturally, the protection of the England players is paramount to the ECB. I am sure that everything will be done to ensure their safety. It might be wise to move the second Test from Bombay. But our shared humanity and the demonstration of the continuation of normal life in the face of those who want to take away our freedom is also important. If we wanted to ensure that everyone was 100 per cent safe from terrorist attacks all the time, no one would travel on trains or enter restaurants in urban areas. The cancellation of the tour wouldn’t remove the threat, but nor, I feel, would its continuation enhance the threat.

There is no use in conducting the rest of the ODI series especially after these threats, and a 5-0 whitewash. But the Test Series has to go on in order to show the people that cricket can help in restoration of peace.

Life has to go on, otherwise we become paralysed by fear. We live in a dangerous world but generally the security services protect us. Playing a Test match is no more dangerous than attending the market. The best tribute to those who died in the latest shocking attacks would be to play on in their memory.