There're no more tears in Mumbai's eyes. Instead, all that the city is red with, is fury. The Wednesday serial blasts have left Mumbaikars in no mood to be consoled by candlelight vigils and talk of 'the spirit of Mumbai' anymore. Everyone's screaming for extreme action against terror, and Delhi joins the desperate cry.
"Candlelight marches are pointless, and even though they show solidarity. Who are we showing it for, when the government is doing nothing to protect us? After 9/11, there hasn't been any incident in the US, but Mumbai is a victim again, in just two years (since the last terror attack)," says Jiya Pandya, 16, who lives in Worli in Mumbai. "The fact that we have been attacked again shows that the government measures are just an eyewash, and that no real action has been taken to ensure public safety," Tejasvi Tandon, 21, a resident of Andheri. "Tear-shedding is not what we need anymore. We're enraged, and what we need is collective brainstorming on how we can ensure investigations are quick, come to a concrete end and that those convicted are punished, not left to enjoy their jail time with tax payers' money," says Radhika Bajaj, 28.
Delhiites feel the same. "Down with the soppy stuff now, they can't fool us with big promises and no action anymore. We refuse to take this lying down," says Himanshu Sinha, a 25-year-old software professional from Noida. "We are so used to this ... now, no candlelight vigils will help, the government will have get going ... it should be ashamed," says Rinki Singhvi, 23, a Delhi-based student. The anger is pouring out on social networking sites, too. "If we elect people who've constantly let us down, if we continue on our path of selfish apathy, this is our fault!," tweeted Mukul Jhawar. A tweet from Danman26 read, "It's too much to take. Dear government, get those guns out! #mumbaiblasts."
{{/usCountry}}Delhiites feel the same. "Down with the soppy stuff now, they can't fool us with big promises and no action anymore. We refuse to take this lying down," says Himanshu Sinha, a 25-year-old software professional from Noida. "We are so used to this ... now, no candlelight vigils will help, the government will have get going ... it should be ashamed," says Rinki Singhvi, 23, a Delhi-based student. The anger is pouring out on social networking sites, too. "If we elect people who've constantly let us down, if we continue on our path of selfish apathy, this is our fault!," tweeted Mukul Jhawar. A tweet from Danman26 read, "It's too much to take. Dear government, get those guns out! #mumbaiblasts."
{{/usCountry}}Twitter, the savior
Social media came to Maximum city's rescue within hours of the blast, and the whole world lauded how Mumbaikars offered to donate blood, shelter and food to those affected. Twitter and Facebook saw constant updates by people who were around the blast-ridden sites and wanted to help victims with first-aid and lifts to hospital. Many also retweeted helpline numbers and offered to call victims' relatives on their behalf as the local phone lines jammed. Within two hours of the blasts, the information was indexed onto organised spreadsheets, and even the New York Times retweeted the helplines. Other international publications, such as the Daily Beast and The Guardian, praised the quick online efforts.
Don't just talk, do something!
We need affirmative action against terrorists, not some random candlelight marches
Swasti Pachauri, 27
They'll be candlelight marches because they're in fashion, and then we'll forget this happened
Sahyog Wadhwa, 17
Can't you stop terror attacks? Other countries can do it so why not India?
Anushka Yadav, 19