Raghuram-Anchor and Producer
	Vasundhara Das
	Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
	Fathima Babu
	Ravish Kumar
	Sunidhi Chouhan
	Shubha Mudgal
	Kailash Kher
	Ashutosh
	Mikka
	Nalini- Kamalini
	Shraddha Pandit
	Our leaders are very selfish by Amit Dwivedi
	Does any of us ever think this? by Kiran Marnal
	Just a thought by Omar, Karachi
	Hindu Muslim Unity

Raghuram - Anchor and Producer Why are we so Soft on Terror?
Its been 8 years since the 9/11 happened in America, and since then terrorists would have made innumerable attempts to disrupt peace is the US, but they have not been successful. This clearly depicts that there lies a strong Political Will in the Government to fight & oppose Terrorism. But here, in India, every second month, we here of a Terror Attack, where in Political Parties like the BJP & Shiv Sena are actually hiring lawyers to represent & protect the Terrorists because they happen to be Hindu’s and since they have a vote bank to protect. They are hyping the name of Hemant Karkare, who gave his life for the country and offering a huge sum of money to the widow who obviously threw it back on their face. Its been almost a year since 26/11 and even now the prime accused Kasab has not been punished – lawyers are being chased, he is making demands, everything ELSE except Justice has happened in this case. What is the message that we are sending to Indians and to the International world –“That we are soft on Terror” A Candle March happened in Mumbai, I went for it & Mumbai decided not to VOTE. We have Politicians like the Chief Minister moving around with Ram Gopal Verma, the Deputy Chief Minister saying “Bombay main aisi cheezain to hoti hi rehti hain” – obviously they don’t have any sense of Reality. When there was such a Anti Politician Rage – a month later - the Bangalore Power Attack happened and the Politicians got what they wanted, whenever they are in a spot they want to focus the media attention on something else so that they can run away scot free. 2 things are very evident – that Mumbai is on Terror Threat, secondly, one of the 26/11 accused walks free because of lack of evidence, though it’s a know fact that he is ex-lakshare-taiba and ex alquaida which clearly shows that we have a set inappropriate politicians, after every bomb, after every flood, they say “spirit of Mumbai” – I think everyone should go on strike, the city should shut down. The politicians have got to do their job, there shouldn’t be a single bomb blast or a traffic jam due to rains. It’s a vicious cycle which keeps getting repeated, and there is no end to it. More so the politicians talk anti North Indians’ – does the police come and say that we will only save maharashtrians or people from any specific castes. When 26/11 happened, there were hoardings in Mumbai featuring the Maratha’s – who gave their life - Salaskar, Karkare & Gamte – why were the hoarding not torn down? We don’t know how to treat the National Hero’s or the Enemies of State. Terrorists are not our biggest threat, “POLITIANS ARE”
26/11 was a retaliation to the Babri Masjid, the Bombay Blasts in 93’ happened as a result of Babri masjid, but nothing has happened, not a single politician has been arrested who instigated the act at Babri masjid. We as common man just can’t do anything; we can die in bomb blasts, cry and crib about it, but can’t do anything, that’s the way it is. Message to Youngsters
1991 – when the Mandal Commission was executed and basis which the VP Singh government came into power and today VP Singh has commented saying that – “the Babri masjid was a ploy to counter Madal.” And this government came into power a second time – a party which creates unrest on the name of caste & religion. I don’t expect anything from this generation, infact I hold them responsible for the mess we are in today. Hence, it is today’s YOUTH which can do something, the Younger Politicians, I would tell them, BECOME BIGGER THAN WHAT YOU ARE, “TAKE OVER”, create & involve the youth in Politics, channelise them, forget the vote bank and become a Force, to find solutions to the Nation’s biggest problem – Terrorism. Elections/Constitution/Legal System
Those who have a single case against them should not be allowed to stand for elections. Anyone who said anything against a particular community should be banned for life. Secondly, we should re-look at our constitution, which is the longest in the world & written some 62 yrs back, wherein the whole objective was to appease a large number of communities. Our legal system is so complicated that once who gets into it, it takes minimum 10 years to get out of it. Hence the constitution definitely needs to change. We don’t want politicians to create a vote bank on the name of religion. Probably we can have a 2 party system, like the way it is in US, the Democrats & the Republicans, hence you are either part of these 2 parties or you are not in Politics. And there should be debates, like the way it is there, hence there is Public accountability. Before one gets elected, a lot of questions need to be answered, on all the actions that have been taken, about oneself and about the party. There is nothing Right or wrong, depends on which side of the Fence you are standing. Whom we call terrorists are referred to be as freedom fighter in Kashmir, POK is called Free Kashmir, for us it’s Disputed Land. Collateral Damage is a Fad but at times it is necessary to solve certain issues. It is a war and it has to be fought, it has been brought to civilians by the militants. Obviously it is our responsibility to protect as much as we can and we’ve got to be result oriented.

Raghu Ram
(Anchor and producer)
(As told to Rahul Vallamber on 10 August,, 2009)
 

Vasundhara Das I had never heard the sound of gun shots in my life and never thought I would until the night of 26th November 2008. I had spent the day with friends in Colaba and left to go to an event at a hotel in Parel at about 9p.m.. When I reached the traffic signal opposite the entrance to CST station, driving alone, is where I first encountered this increasing threat to humanity...terrorism. Let me tell you, gun shots sound nothing like what we have heard in the movies with all the sound effects and reverb. The fear you feel and see on the faces of others is like nothing you’ve ever felt or seen before. I saw hundreds of people running out of the station some visibly shaken, pale with fear running away from the spot with the help of any means available. It was an absolute chilling sight and anything could have happened. I later found out that I had passed various acts of murder, missing them only by a few minutes on my way home that night and it was a major reality check.

In the days that followed, I was unable to decide what was more disturbing, the violent acts themselves, the ridiculous response across the political diaspora of the country, or the mostly insensitive media coverage of the entire situation but on the positive side,  people came together like never before and that was a very big achievement. That the tensions did not take a communal turn was another huge achievement of the people of India, literally against all odds! Our brave armed forces stood tall through the worst of the situation. People came out because of a need to act. But there seemed to be no action plan, nobody objective enough to lead the way. The cry for change could finally be heard at the Gateway of India and many other places across the country. We resolved not to forget. We resolved to stick together and not be divided by language, caste or religion. We resolved to do our electoral duty. We resolved not to tolerate the corrupt. We resolved not to be afraid, of anyone or anything.

 Six months down the line, we are in the middle of the elections now and we have already forgotten our resolve. In my home city of Bangalore, about 50% of the population has voted. In spite of our resolve, in spite of the many cases of violence against women in different parts of the state of Karnataka in the recent past, half of us have chosen to let things remain the way they have always been. And this just will not do!

I am a law abiding citizen of the largest democracy in the world, the Secular Democratic Republic of India. I love my country. But does my country and the people running it feel the same towards me and the billions like me? It is time now for my voice to be heard along with a billion others. We need to get a lot done on the inside to really ‘shine’ or be ‘incredible’. We need one set of laws that apply to all citizens of India and equal rights and opportunities for all, whatever their caste, creed or religion. We need a corruption free judiciary that will actually give ‘justice’ and not work around the million loop holes that exist in our laws. We need law makers and ministers with no criminal record and no ongoing criminal cases against them. We need leaders who have some basic educational qualifications and an acute awareness of what plagues the people with a want to serve others and not themselves. We need independent and corruption free law enforcement which is not under the whims and fancies of our politicians.  More than ever, we need a fearless, aware electorate which is not swayed by vote bank politics, which is not afraid or indifferent to speak its mind when the deliverables by leaders are not delivered.

Our generation, ‘Young India’ as we are called, is the empowered generation that has shown the will to commit to change. Let this word ‘CHANGE’ not remain just that, a word. Let it not remain just a fashion statement, or the cool thing to say. WE determine our tomorrow. WE determine our successes and failures. I truly hope that somewhere along our journey, we will stop and think a little about what we leave behind as India when our time is up. And I dream that the India we leave behind will be much more wonderful than the India we inherited. I sincerely hope you share my dream!

Vasundhara Das
Actress, Singer.
(As told to Rahul Vallamber on 29 April, 2009)
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev Terrorism is the Result of a Non-Inclusive Society The mechanism of terror in the world today encompasses various kinds of terrorism, and religious terrorism is a major part today. The purpose of terrorism is not war but to cripple a society with fear. It is more a shock value and because it has grown due to availability of material, they have had quite an impact. We see suicide bombers; young people who are willing to give their lives.
The revolutionaries and the resistant forces have all been educated people. But now when physicians become terrorists then it is like people who are supposed to give life are taking lives. There seems to be so much anger that people are willing to take lives for whatever cause they believe in.

One way of looking at it is-any man who is willing to die for what he believes in is a wonderful man. The problem is that there is a huge volume of anger and hatred behind it and so the end result is ugly. Otherwise a man who is willing to die for what he believes in has a wonderful quality. It’s just that this is happening with enormous anger and hatred against some body and that is the problem. In India we have the naxalites, the communist group which believes they are causing a revolution but we call them terrorists. Then there are the Tamil Tigers in Srilanka and the IRA group all of whom believe they are freedom fighters. And now there are religious terrorists who believe they are fighting for their religion.

So different causes have bred the same thing-whenever there is a powerful force that becomes oppressive, people who do not have the same level of power will naturally go in for the method of fighting, which we call terrorism.

It is very important that the armies, the government and the leaderships in the world look at the cause why people are so angry. For every creature on this planet, its own life is always precious. Even if you try to kill a little ant, it does its best to save itself; so it is for the human being. To be willing to die for something means that “something” has become very important to him, especially when so many people are going in the same direction.

We have to address the fundamental issues beneath that decision rather than treating it as something you can just stamp out. Right now the level of terrorism in the world has grown because we are blatantly trying to stamp things out rather than looking into and addressing the fundamental issues. Today you have to live with the reality that once every few months another terrorist event will happen on the planet.

Who is a terrorist? People who are in it do not believe they are terrorists. It is just a term that they feel someone is using for them. Many of them think they are freedom fighters, revolutionaries and some think they are God’s own children. You stamp out one person and a hundred will be born out of that lack of understanding.

Right now in many ways the US is the leader in the world. Whenever a particular nation becomes very powerful there can be a possibility of exploitation and domination on one hand or if done the right way, there is a possibility of changing everything for the good. And the realities of the world are such, those who are in power; those who are in control of situations, they don’t want to share anything with anybody. See, today the economic reality in the world is such, that about five percent of the world’s population owns about ninety percent of the world’s wealth. And they’re sitting so tight on it that nobody can lay their hands upon that. They’re sitting so very tight on it. When this is the reality, why will there be no terrorism? There will be. You cannot help it. When there is that kind of disparity, there is bound to be violence. There is bound to be anger in the world. Anger finds expression in so many ways. Terrorism is one of them.

If truly wise leadership comes up in the United States, they can truly change the world. It doesn’t take a lot of money and resources to address all the problems in the world; it just takes the will. USA has spent more than 600 billion dollars on Iraq. A fraction of that amount could have helped in eradicating poverty or providing healthcare (forty percent people on the planet don’t get medical help), educational facilities and nourishment on the planet.

We have not re-built Iraq. We have done nothing except kill our men and people of other countries. It has happened due to lack of vision. If some body pricks you with a pin instead of cutting off their hand if you try to turn their hearts around, try to work on their anger and move them towards a more sensible way of looking at life, things may be different. By cutting one hand you are making a million more hands come up. Even if they are misguided, if a large number of people are going in this direction, I think we need to work on turning them around. Shooting them down is not the answer.

SADHGURU, Isha Yoga.
www.ishafoundation.org
(as rahul vallamber got email from Isha Yoga)
Fathima Babu
News anchor JAYA TV, Actress.

Terrorism is the most inhuman thing happening. It is no solution, because an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind and one has to stop at one point. Terrorism in no answer for any problem and a terrorist attack is not going to make anybody understand their demand. I think terrorism is an anti social technique of handling a crisis.

Everybody thinks that they are safe but nobody thinks about the people who are protecting us at the border. We need a change in the system, the person who is found to be a terrorist should punished immediately and in front of the public rather than years of imprisonment, as justice delayed is justice denied. This will be a valuable lesson and will make an individual think before harming others.

Now media is so powerful than what it was ten years back. It shows all these exclusive reports live that enables us to empathize with the events. We have many channels to view such news round the clock whereas earlier it was only Doordarshan news with particular timings. We should also appreciate the reporters who provide us prompt information by risking their lives.

Let’s have a harmonious community with religion taking the backseat. Religion should be practiced within the four walls of your house… when you are out you are a human and then an Indian. Accept and live the brotherhood you practiced at school, till the last breath of your life. Don’t ever loose the feeling of brotherhood.

Fathima Babu
News anchor JAYA TV, Actress.
(As told to Rahul Vallamber on 9 Jan, 2009)

Ravish Kumar

Yes We can stop terrorism. But how? Making laws, improving intelligence, modernizing police etc are the basics which we require. But fulfilling our basic needs does not ensure the victory.

Terrorism breeds in our minds. Not beyond the border. Riots are organized by political parties. We should not fool ourselves on this ground. Now the politics of hatred has got a silver coating of developments. Gujarat is a fit case. Gujarat built good roads but does it make any effort to build confidence amongst Muslims. No. Do not give me state data to prove this that state has not seen any riot after 2002. This is not enough. Do we not know Modi is championing the cause of Terrorism just to mobilize Hindu against Muslims? Has he ever said that Hindu and Muslims will fight terrorism? No. He says...I will fight terrorism. How? By raising hands in the air on the dais...can you fight terrorism? By giving a crore of compensation to those policemen who were killed in Mumbai? What about 160 people Mr Modi. Who are you to announce? Others states have not done so? Are they not fighting terrorism? Do not they acknowledge the contributions of our martyrs? Only Modi? Do not emotionalize the issue of terrorism. Rationalize it.

Here comes the role of Public. Public should not have supported someone who has been accused for not controlling riots but made good roads and brought industries in the state. The moment we endorse later we tend to accept and support earlier and alienated the rest of the community. You can not do this simply because you find some criminal elements in other community. Every community has Gunda, Chor… can they be taken as a representative sample of a community? I do not think yes…

From 1992 to 2002 ie Babri Masjid Demolition to Gujarat riots provided breeding ground for terrorism. Some youths were manipulated on the basis of anger, frustration generated by this continuous hatred campaign by our political parties. Are we rejecting these kinds of politics? How can we tolerate to hear India as a Hindu Rashtra. Reducing India to a mere religious identity.

Muslims organizations are now going village to village to condemn terrorism, to warn the community to keep vigil on youths, make ensure that they should not be misguided by the video of Gujarat. That's a huge step. But why they have to do it? To show us (Hindu) to prove that look we are not supporting terrorism? We love India. I feel sorry for them.

How can you put any community to the litmus taste and ignoring the elements within ourselves? But on the other hand when Pragya Thakur and Col Purohit were named in terror activities, many political parties started crying… without knowing them…

why because if you say Hindu is not a terrorist… you will get votes Biases can not be the basics of judgment. Mumbai has shown that… People came on their own at Gateway… and raised slogans against terrorism not against any community.

This time political parties were alienated. They have realized the frustration and anger caused by the alienation. They started crying that you can not alienate politicians because we run democracy. How arrogant are these fools. Democracy is run by People. Leaders are replaceable and reject able. That's what we do every five years. Reject the politics of hatred in any form. Come forward.

Ravish Kumar
Features Editor NDTV INDIA
(as told to Rahul Vallamber by Email)
Sunidhi Chouhan
I’m definitely speechless when questioned about terrorism. I don’t know what to say for there is a flaw in our system, and this is the reason why our society is paying a prize now. Now one seems to be serious about what is going on, we tend to wake up when something hits us all of a sudden, and then it is back to square one within a day or two. What would I alone say with this regard, I think that the entire nation needs to stand up and speak up in one voice! This time we were really affected badly and people are now realizing that we need to rework on our system, which I feel is good. I feel that such instances should not happen anywhere, not only in India, but any where across the globe. I also pray that God gives puts some sense in the brains of these terrorists who don’t value people’s life and don’t take more than a minute to destroy things around them.

I’m totally blank when I think of these terrorists and questions like what do we do, what will happen keep cropping up in my mind! It makes me very frustrated, but then what can a single person do? We all need to work together; a revolution is what we need to fight against terrorism!

At the time of attacks on Mumbai I was at home, at the initial stage it did not appear as something serious was happening but as the time went by the criticality of the situation set in and I sat glued watching the TV all night. The law needs to be changed for there are cases that are being presented before justice for a period of 10 to 15 years, terrorists cause destructions, someone highjack’s flights and they are left in the open with no punishment at all. We need the law to work in a way where the result is announced in a period of 10 to 15 days and not more than that. Will our Government by able to provide a Public attorney to this organization KASAAB who has created such a havoc in Mumbai? These people who plucked away the lives of our soldiers and of our respected officers! How can our leaders think that we need to provide such brutal people with lawyers to speak on their behalf!

Message to our young generation
My appeal to the younger generation will be to learn from the current state of affairs and not to choose a path that destroys others home, a path that separates a mother from her child, makes a sister lose her brother. I don’t think that anyone can suffer this for a long time and we all need to raise our voices against terrorism and I feel it will be the youngsters who will be leading from the front.
It is wonderful to see the effort that you are putting in through this web site. I’m proud of you, and hopefully there will be some change amongst the people when they read such messages. The terrorist will understand that we people have started to raise our voices against them and this will make a big difference. My best wishes are with your Campaign.

Vande Mataram
Sunidhi Chouhan
Singer, India
(as told to rahul vallamber)
Shubha Mudgal

By now there would be very few among us who do not know the horrifying and tragic impact of terrorism on our lives. And perhaps, after 26/11 even those of us who preferred to shut our eyes to terrorism or bury our heads in the sand, and say 'it can't happen to us' have been jolted into facing reality. Indeed, many of us who have been passive in the past, have come out and joined protests and vigils across the country. And while I am feeling a little silly making any suggestions on this public forum, I do so only because no longer can we afford to be self conscious, or shy, or reticent. I guess it is time we wake up to the fact that the fight against terrorism needs a small contribution from each one of us. And this contribution cannot and must not be a one time contribution alone. This will have to be a long and sustained battle to ensure that peace and harmony prevail. I must confess that I cannot claim to have contributed hugely, and I am painfully aware that I must do more. But to begin with, may I make a humble suggestion here? Let us resolve that this time we will not allow public memory to be as short lived as it often is. All too often we are shocked and horrified when incidents of terrorism are reported. But all too soon we get back into the daily routine of our lives and forget that we must contribute, until the next jolt is delivered. And how can we ensure that we do not forget? Here are some suggestions and I welcome the many more valuable ideas that I am sure peace loving netizens will send in:

• Join a forum such as this one, which we visit regularly, and do not abandon after a few weeks.
  
• Take inspiration from the wonderful NSG commandos of whom the entire nation is so proud. Naturally, we cannot all try and become NSG commandos (certainly not me !) but can we not take inspiration from the discipline and restraint they showed even as people flocked to greet them after the operations that freed the Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai, The Oberoi and Nariman House of the terrorists? Can we stop being hysterical please and show some restraint and discipline and good sense? Speak our minds but sensibly?
  
• How about ensuring that on 26/11/2009 and 2010 and 2011 and thereafter, we still send messages to the families of Hemant Karkare, Sandip Unnikrishnan, Vijay Salaskar, and our other heroes who tragically fell to the bullets of the terrorists, to show that we value the sacrifices they made and have not forgotten them? Rahul, maybe you could set up a message forum on this site, for such messages?
  

Shubha Mudgal
(as rahul vallamber got email from Shubha ji)
Kailash Kher
It is a struggle to watch the problems that are going on around us. It is tearful to witness the attacks on a country, to watch mankind being subjected to such brutality…it certainly creates a sense of insecurity and then the question arises in any responsible citizen’s mind why is all this happening? It has made me question as to who is the brain behind all this wreckage? Who is that who is making the Government look like a piece of filth, for they seem helpless and are simply unable to do anything! Who is that who has put our law structure at shame? Now one might say that we have heard constant complaint… complaints about individuals, complaints against Organizations! But ultimately what have we gained from all of this, misery and unhappiness…yes, that is all we have in our bag right now!

There are quite some questions which these terrorists leave unanswered, some that are coming to my mind right now are, what is really inspiring them to do what they are doing right now? What hungry is driving them to murder people? Will they survive the curses that are being showered on them by those who are affected by these attacks? I think time has to answer all these questions… we sure need to put a full stop to what is happening!

The current state of law and affairs certainly needs to be relooked at. Let me give you an example, post the Mumbai attacks we had nabbed one terrorist and the authorities were trying to squeeze all pieces of information from him. If not one was found alive then all these incident will be pieces of an unsolved puzzle. Even now the captive is being moved from court to court with not much action in place. There are so many loop holes in our system and these are fairly exposed to everyone. I would say that if things are moving somewhere it is only be the grace of God and nothing else.

There needs to be a strong mechanism to protest and condem terrorism completely. A law which is very sever with the consequences for anyone who is caught for violating. The law that needs to be constituted needs to be strong right from its foundation that is when it can work on wiping out this bug called terrorism which is tarnishing our society.

Both countries government are right now pointing fingers at each other. I feel it will be a lot more sensible to approach an external third party like the UN so that they are in a better position of judging the situation and providing a solution from an international standard and I’m sure this will help situations resolve without being biased.

A note for the youngsters:
I would like to tell the youth to keep your spirits high. Life will offer many situations where you might tend to slip and fall; this might be sometimes due to greed, sometimes due to physical, sometimes due to your inner soul. What is most important is to have your principles in place. Every individual is aware as to what is good for them and what is not…but we do tend to get mislead by greed at times and loose everything we have gained. I strongly believe that youth are the strength of today.

There are many hands out there that are tirelessly helping people, what they need is the attention of the masses. Not that they are looking for appreciation, India somehow has always been blessed in these aspects and it makes us proud. My best wishes are with everyone out there who is trying to fend their fellow countrymen in some way or the other.

The work that you are trying to do through this web site certainly deserves praise. And I appeal to the people of India never to step back from doing anything right. I would be glad if you were to set forward and join this cause. For you never know when the misery might be knocking at your doorstep. So it is very important to be a responsible citizen and support mankind. This should be the signature situation of our country.

Jai Hind.

Kailash Kher
(as told to rahul vallamber) Ashutosh - Managing Editor - IBN 7

When we asked Mr Ashutosh that what he feels about terrorist and terrorism? His reply was… Terrorism is basically a political battle which is fought with the most extreme ideology and with the most sophisticated modern violent tool. This is a modern military strategy to weaken the country from within. So in a way it’s a very sophisticated and complex problem which need to be fought , not at one level but at many levels. What is to be changed and improved in the law so that we can fight against terrorism? The laws are already there what we need is a very strong political will to finish terrorism from its root and the outset we have to strengthen our intelligence network to the maximum limit. We should have a integrated intelligence for gathering mechanism. Security forces needs to be modernized to the concept of international level. Citizens has to the concept of as government alone cannot fight against terrorism we need to have a system in which needs to be seen working, we should have a separate judicial process so that terrorism related issues can be sorted out in minimum possible time. If cases left pending in courts for years then we cannot fight terrorism. The communities though it is Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian needs to be taken in confidence that if a person involves in the act of terrorism then it is the responsibility of the state to deal formally with that individual and it should not be pointing towards a particular community.

It is a National problem and we have to be one and united to fight terrorism.

Ashutosh
Managing editor
IBN-7
(as told to Rahul Vallamber)

Mikka about Terrorism I never had any fear before the Mumbai blast, any train or bus blast never use to hurt me because I never travel in of these. I used to sit in some 5 star hotel with the group of friends and comment over a beer that what ever was happening was not right. But now after the Mumbai blast my perception has changed completely and I now understand what a common man will be going through, the pain of an injury or a loss of someone dear. Today I have realized that we are not safe in any place be it a 5 star hotel, airport, railway station, not on the street nor even at home. They can come just any where and kill anyone. These blast have open my eyes and made me realize that I’m not a celebrity but an ordinary person and I wish to say that I am against terrorism and with the people who are fighting for this cause.

It is those who are in power who actually allow terrorism to grow rather then putting an end to it. The riots on Sikhs in1984, in Gujarat between the Hindus and Muslims, in the name of Uttar Bharati in Mumbai and many more to mention are not being stopped or solved by the ruling government. They are only worried about their political status and benefit The leaders like Raj Thakre scare and divide people in the name of Uttar Bharati (the people who came from north India), create riots and also do no hesitate to beat people. Is this not terrorism? What will be the mindset of a child who has witnessed his mother, father and his sister being tortured and killed? Don’t you think these are the kids who could be the terrorist of future! and such politicians encouraging them !

What we need right now is a strong law which will take severe action against all those who are the cause of destroying lives and public property. The power should given to those who are confident and not corrupt. When I had a look at this website I was very impressed for this is an excellent start and this is a medium that will help people able to see and understand many things. Their mission is very unique and good and in future I would certainly like to do musical show for their cause. I would also like to add that I will help those who are affected. This is a world wide initiative to make people to stand against terrorism. My best wishes are with this website.

Jai hind
Mikka
( From Mikka as told to Rahul Vallamber the auther of this website) NALINI-KAMALINI
A Well Known Eminent Kathak Dancers (Varanasi Style) From India According to Nalini and Kamilini any forum which has been started from a religion or a society’s perspective is the one that should stop shop for they are the one who just care about their profit and business. Some say that Islam is the greatest, while others believe that it is Hinduism, some sing praises of Christianity and others feel that Sikhism is great and thus is the case with every community and religion. It is not the fault of any religion, for no religion speaks of division or supremacy. It is only a handful of people who misguide and create bitterness in the name of religion. We need to stop these people who in the name of society are just spreading filth in the society. If we are looking to fight terrorism, we first need to handle the internal situation, for I don’t thing we would stand a chance to fight the outsiders with such a weak internal system. Its seems quite a trend with the government that after any blast all they do is ask couple of their ministers to resign and these ministers, in the name of patriotism walk out with the big smile and thus government saves itself . But this does not make any difference to the dead or their families! We need to change our system, we need to re-work on our structure, which will punish anyone and everyone right from a common man to a VVIP. We should just not allow the ministers to quit from there office but also they should never be allowed to contest the elections at any point of time. I consider my society as my own family and I feel angry when I hear about the terrorist attacks. It grieves me, to see such youth being misguided in the name of religion and JIHAD. What we need right now is someone like Mahatma Buddha who will be able to transform these youngsters and get them on the right path. These people not only make others live in fear but they too live, almost every moment in fear as well. What we really need to do is provide excellent security to all our borders. Right now we should concentrate on the borders which are shared with either Pakistan or China. India needs a strong and intelligent security system which will not only take care of certain borders but will ensure security at all nook and corner of the country. We really appreciate this mission and would like to support the cause from the bottom of our hearts. The way we support our country and people. We also extend the same to all those individuals who are standing up for such a cause. Thank you!

(from Nalini and Kamalini told to Rahul Vallamber The Citizen journalist) Shrradha Pandit
Pop Singer and actress (INDIA)

Every individual has their own point of view when we speak about Terrorism. There are times when people have pointed fingers to a particular community. Now, if a certain terrorist belongs to a certain community that does that mean that the entire community is bad. They are simply a hand full of people whose sole aim is to destroy a country, cause destruction to humanity at large.

Those who are choosing to become terrorists are the ones who are really weak intellectually, for it is very easy to influence them and set them on the path of causing destruction. Now if we were to look at the root cause of this issue, I feel that it all drains down to the Kashmir problem which has still been hanging on our heads for a long time. We first need to sought this out and close this chapter completely for this issue has remained as a slow poison in the mind of many and seems to be showing its reactions on and off thus in turn claiming over thousands of innocent lives!

But there is a point which I really don't understand, what are these terrorists gaining or what will they prove by killing innocent, harmless people out on the street? Their fight is against the leaders, and they should sought out their differences with them and not the common people.

Life seems to have changed quite some bit post the Mumbai blast. The malls or the theatres no longer seem to be a safe place to hang out…we find it much more comfortable to meet up at some friend's place and spend sometime rather than venturing outside. I felt very bad, miserably bad when Mumbai was under siege, I have never felt this way my entire life. Tears were simply flowing when I was watching what was happening to the people out there. The worst was when I got the news that a relative of a friend was a victim of this attack. It was very painful to digest what was happening, and its very difficult to word what I really went through at that point of time.

The prime aim of these Terrorists is to create a fear in the minds of the people though they have been successful to a very great extent I'm sure we can ensure that they don't achieve complete victory. What we have with us is an army of brave and patriotic soldiers who are willing to lay down their lives, and till the time we have them there is no question of fear! And I think that this is the time when we stand up and say that we are united and no one, no one on this existence can do anything to divide us. My appeal to everyone is that we all need to fight this fear together and need to give a powerful answer back to these terrorists.

I love my country much more than I would love my family and I'm willing to sacrifice anything for the sake of my motherland!
My best wishes are with this website because they are working for a very noble cause. Vande Mataram!

AMIT DWIVEDI - JOURNALIST - AMARUJALA Our leaders are very selfish. They have their own interest in life which we may call that they are attached to money and chair. None of them to loose their chair. That's why the terrorism has become the problem to the country, as common man feels helpless. They do not know whom to approach where to go & how to act? Life seems absolutely in dark. Whatever is recently happened, we feel that we should get all together to show our courage feelings & emotions against the militants activities. When I saw rahul's effort on this website I thought I should also put my foot into it. I am a journalist and I did lot work on terrorism. Now I would request to all of u to come together and prove this slogan which is in hindi called '' Sathi hath badhana ek akela thak jayega milkar haath bantana''.

Jai hind, Jai bharat and Jai Jawan.

Amit dwivedi
journalist amarujala
New Delhi

Does any of us ever think about this?

By
Kiran Marnal
Creative Director, Mumbai

Just a thought

Omar
Musician
Karichi, Pakistan

Hindu-Muslim Unity

• President Pratibha Patil condemned the blasts and "expressed deep shock at the incident and said that perpetrators were targeting the peace and harmony of the country".
  Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condemned the blasts, and appealed for calm
  
  
• Home Minister Shivraj Patil said: "This is a time when we should not feel frightened and we should assess the situation correctly and try to help the people, who have suffered and plan to see that these things do not happen afterwards.
  
  
• Chief Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the attack and called for calm.He also added: "The enemies of the nation have today stained with blood the soil of Mahatma Gandhi's Gujarat. Terrorists have continued their war against India... Killing innocent people is not only a crime but is a form of enmity with the humanity. All those who believe in humanity should prepare themselves for a long war - while maintaining peace." He went on to say, "I have spoken to the prime minister and the home minister. There is a similar pattern in all recent terrorist attacks [in the country]. There must be a mastermind operating behind them all." He asserted that those responsible for the blasts will be punished, and urged the people of Gujarat to answer them by "quickening the pace of Gujarat's economic development."
  
  
• Vice-President Hamid Ansari also condemned the blasts and said that "such acts of terrorism intend to disturb the peace and harmony in the country and should be thwarted."
  Head of the congress party Sonia Gandhi expressed "deep shock" over the blasts. She also added that this was an "act of desperation with a view to disturb the peace and harmony in the country".
  
  
• Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party leader L. K. Advani condemned the blasts as dastardly acts by terrorists and pointed towards the sinister designs of terrorists.He also added that "It looks like our anti-terror legal framework is not up to the mark and it get exposed." In criticizing the government he said after the abolition of POTA, Gujarat has adopted a Maharashtra-type anti-terror law which has been awaiting Presidential assent for four years. He demanded that both Gujarat and Rajasthan should be allowed to go for their own anti-terror legislation.
  
  
• Minister of State for Home Affairs Shakeel Ahmed said: "We are surprised and shocked. Yesterday, it was Bangalore. Today it is Ahmedabad. This happened even after the government of India issued high alerts to all sensitive states.” He also condemned the blasts and called for the return of normalcy while assuring the Gujarat government "of all possible assistance." He said a report of the state government was awaited befor further comment.
  
  
• Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Prakash Jaiswal termed the attack as being aimed at disrupting communal harmony and hurt India's economic growth.
  
  
• CPI M also condemned the blasts saying there was a "conspiracy" to destabilise the country. The party Politburo said of the blasts: "Coming so soon after the blasts in Jaipur and Bangalore, it is clear that there is a conspiracy to destabilise the country and create communal disharmony." Adding that it was "unfortunate that despite a series of such attacks, the government and the intelligence agencies are unable to crack down on those responsible for these heinous crimes."
  
  
• BJP spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said: "The Centre must bring in a new law as the country requires it in the wake of 42 big incidents of blasts, triggered by the terrorists during the past four-and-a-half years' rule of the UPA in the country." When asked why the BJP-ruled states were targeted in the recent series of blasts, Naqvi said "it is because of the party's firm determination to end terrorism."
  
  
• The Bahujan Samaj Party said: "There was a time when the intelligence agencies would know of a conspiracy to assassinate the Chief Minister and they would be killed in encounter before reaching Gandhinagar. How could such alert system not get a hint of Saturday's blast conspiracy? Why does not the state Congress ask the UPA to approve GUJCOC as demanded by the state government?"
  
  
• Jamat-e-Islami Hind said: "Find out the culprits and hand them the deserving punishment. But care must be taken that innocent are not harassed. No conclusions should be drawn before thorough investigation because this leads investigation to a particular direction only."
  
  
• The Vishwa Hindu Parishad said: "VHP, which plans to start a nationwide anti-jehadi movement from July 28, said that if the government did not meet its demands, Hindus would have to act themselves democratically to protect themselves and their Bharat. They are out to destroy India's economy, infrastructure and majority Hindus. The government must act now before it is late." Praveen Togadia added, "being soft towards terrorists is equally dangerous as terrorism, as both would destroy the country." He also asked the government to snap all ties with countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, which he alleged promote terrorism. All the while he said the VHP was not against minorities imparting religious education to their children but that most madrassas "are training ground for terrorists".
  
  
• BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha: "Let the God give them good sense and such incidents are not repeated in future. Appeal to maintain peace and stay away from all sorts of rumours."
  
  
• Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan: "It has organised Janmagal Shantipath in all temples in India and abroad. Swami Purushottampriyadasji, now in America, has appealed to his devotees to donate blood generously for the victims."
  
  
• JamiatUlma-I-Gujarat: "The anti-humanity blasts need to be investigated thoroughly, impartially and not necessarily in only one direction, because terrorists do not follow any religion."
  
  
• Students Islamic Organisation of India: "Harassment of the innocent in the name of investigations will only help actual criminals. Media should do its duty with a sense of responsibility because it has a major role in diverting such issues from reality."
  
  
• AIADMK General Secretary J. Jayalalithaa said: "In view of the serial blasts that have rocked the states in quick succession, I reiterate that, in order to defend and maintain the territorial integrity of the nation, a special act like POTA should be revived and allowed to remain in our statute books to effectively counter terrorists and extremist outfits...These dastardly acts of terrorists must be condemned by us in the strongest terms. I urge the central and state governments to make a thorough probe to nab the culprits. We must solemnly resolve to stand firm and united against such acts of mindless terror".
  
  
• Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said: "The Indian people cannot tolerate such violent acts of terrorism any more." He appealed to Muslim leaders "to play a proactive role and isolate the misguided elements spreading terror in the name of religion".
  
  
• Hurriyat conference leader Zaffar Akbar Bhat described the blasts as "inhuman acts against innocent people." He add that it is the innocent Kashmiri students and traders who have to bore the brunt of police action in the wake of the blasts. "Kashmiri people are made the soft targets." Bhat also condemned the Thursday’s blast of Batmaloo in Kashmir which killed five memebrs of a family. He went to say "The way BJP and right wing groups are unleashing terror on Muslims in Jammu and expelling them from Jammu is deplorable."
  
  
• A statement from the All India Muslim Forum said the group "strongly condemns the dastardly terrorist blasts at Banglore and Ahmedabad, claiming scores of innocent lives and injuring hundreds, and appeals to the people to maintain communal harmony in the face of these sinister moves which aim at tearing apart the country's social fabric."
  

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• Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned in the "strongest terms" the series of bombings in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad and stressed that no cause or grievance can justify terrorist acts.

• Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani condemned the bomb attacks in Bangalore and Ahmedabad, describing them as "acts of senseless violence against innocent persons".
  
  
• The Foreign Ministry released a statement saying, "Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani has strongly condemned the acts of terrorist violence in the Indian cities of Ahmedabad and Bangalore and expressed deep sympathies with the bereaved families and the victims of these dastardly acts of senseless violence against innocent persons."

• The US embassy released a statement "The US condemns the vicious terror attacks in Bangalore on Friday and Ahmedabad on Saturday" and extended condolences to the families of the bereaved.

• European Union condemed the attack in a statement saying "The Presidency of the Council of European Union presents its deepest condolences to India, its government and its people, as well as to the victims and their families"

• Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa condemned the serial blasts in a statement saying "I unreservedly condemn the cowardly terrorist attacks in Ahmedabad, India, yesterday, killing and injuring a large number of persons, as well as the terrorist attacks in Bangalore the previous day"
  
  
• The Executive President said "These wanton acts of terror by the forces are ranged against democracy...Sri Lanka being a country gravely affected by the scourge of terrorism for more than two decades, we understand well how the manipulators of terror seek to destroy harmonious relations among communities and the democratic traditions that prevail in our societies...My Government and I share the determination and commitment of the Government and people of India not to yield to this sustained threat of terror from those who seek to achieve their ends by inflicting maximum damage to the lives and limbs of civilians, disrupting their day to day lives and society at large."

• Afghan President Hamid Karzai called for a "collective struggle against terrorism which threatens the stability of the region. Terrorism is a serious threat against the international community and this evil phenomenon must be fought collectively."

• French President Nicolas Sarkozy wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and offered to further strengthen cooperation in the battle against terrorism. He condemned the blasts saying they were "blind, cowardly and inhuman". In his letter he said, “On this occasion, I wish to assure you of the full solidarity of the 27 member-states of the EU and their determination to fight alongside the Indian government to eradicate the scourge of terrorism"