Mumbai terror: The aftermath

 

Locations of the attacks; Source: Wikipedia

 

A British Asian student has put her Mumbai trip on hold after the blasts. ‘It’s better to be safe than sorry,’ she said.

Amber described the situation as ‘absolutely disgusting’.

“I was planning to visit India this December, but I fear for my safety.

The situation in India is quite unstable,” she said.

The series of co-ordinated terrorist attacks have sent shock waves not just through India, but the entire world.

It is proclaimed to be the worst attack the country has seen in recent years.

Home is home, no matter what…

Sneha, a Media Management student has expressed outrage and shock at the attacks in her homeland, but says she will return.

She said: “I was shocked when I heard about the bomb blasts. Although we have experienced blasts before, open firing is a different matter.

The whole thing is just terrible and after this, we can expect just about anything.
I mean, what kind of people target hospitals?”

Sneha’s sister, who is on a work placement at the Taj Palace, had a narrow escape when she left the hotel, half an hour before the blasts.

“She left work at about 9.15, we were all so worried about her. But luckily, she escaped in the nick of time,” said the Media student.

According to the Telegraph, ‘last week’s deadly blasts have left at least 174 dead.

Commandos brought 300 survivors out of the five-star Taj Mahal Palace hotel, where the siege ended early yesterday.

Some 250 others were rescued from the Oberoi-Trident hotel and 60 people were brought out of the Jewish centre.’

A Nepalese take on the situation

“This must be a very difficult time for India,” said Kesar, a Nepalese student in Britain.

“You have to wonder where the police were and why it took so long for them to get there and get the situation under control – action should have been taken much faster.”

According to the BBC, ‘Indian media reports detailing Pakistani links to the audacious Mumbai attacks have been met with deep scepticism in Pakistan.’

26/11:Global Terror

 

It’s been nearly a week since the Mumbai blasts took place but the people are still quite livid about the unfortunate killings.

Bidhata Rai, a Nepali student from Westminster University described the 26/11 attacks as “devastating and a sheer act of violence.” 

She  blamed the Indian Government and the security personnel for the attacks.

“The Indian forces were informed about the attacks a few weeks in advance but they still didn’t’ pay any heed to it.”, she said.

Clearly, this has become an issue of significant public interest all over the world.

Just about everyone has been affected by the bombings in some way or the other.

Parishmita Gogoi, an Indian student feels that, “everybody is blaming Pakistan for the attacks and want to wage a war against them but this will not lead to any solution. We need to be more responsible and active.”

According to the Sunday Telegraph, the Islamic extremists who claimed the responsibility for the attacks were all Pakistani citizens and were trained in marine warfare and a special course called the Daura-e-Shifa.

The Pakistani militant group Lashkar-e-toiba was involved in the execution of these attacks all along and its terrorists were instructed to kill about 5,000 people at least.

Personal Experience:

 Being a Kashmiri citizen, I completely understand the nitty-gritties of the situation as I, too have suffered at the hands of terrorism.

In 1991, my maternal uncle was kidnapped by the Hizbul Mujahideen group in Kashmir and released about 4 months later.

In 1994, the militants targeted my grandfather’s house by attacking it with a rocket launcher but luckily, no one was harmed.

The LeT (Lashkar-e-Toiba) and the Hizbul groups are still active in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.  

The locals have also joined them in the hopes of ousting the Indian as well as the Pakistani forces from their land.

Unfortunately, this has escalated the level of terrorism in Kashmir.

Young men are being brainwashed by certain Islamic extremists to lay down their lives in the name of religion while the real masterminds sit back and plan their next attack.

These warriors are well trained, well prepared and ready to die for their cause.

The Aftermath:

The Mumbai massacre has not only damaged the Indian dignity but also attacked the entire humanity. 

People all around the globe have condemned these attacks.

 Hyde Haguta, an african student said that , “  the militants should’ve been gunned down. Instead, they should’ve been captured alive to face the wrath of people’s fury.”

More than 200 people have been killed and about 300 have been injured but there is still no justice.

Time has come for us to rise together and be more responsible for our society.

Holding demonstrations, processions or lighting candles to pay our respects in not enough.

We need to put our differences aside and work together as a team to form a better, safer, civilized world.

 

Young people won’t drive after drinking during Christmas

Young people asked in the University of Westminster about their intentions say will not drink if they’re going to drive afterwards.

The fight against drink and drug drivers is being increased by police forces across de UK in the run-up to Christmas and New Year. There will be much more controls in all types of road and at all times of day and night.

Caught drunk drivers would face jail and will be treated like any other criminals by being locked in a police cell, a 12 months driving ban, a criminal record and large fine.

Requested young people from the University of Westminster have commented on that. Kamilah Fabien, 25, said: ‘if I’m going out and I’m driving, I don’t have more than two drinks.’ Anne Lobjoie, 24, is even more confident: ‘if I drink I don’t drive.’

It seems that it’s not the fear of facing a jail or a fine that motivates young people to not drive after drinking whether it’s responsibility. ‘I think it’s one by himself who need to know that there’s a real danger when driving drunk’, says Kamilah.

When asked about the measure taken about the possibility of facing jail if a driver is caught drunk, Kamilah said that it might make a considerable effect. ‘Drivers would probably stop drinking as much as they do if there’s a possibility of going to jail.’

Anne also gave her opinion about the same topic: ‘maybe it will be better an educational campaign rather than threatening people with jail.’ ‘But for sure there will be always people trying to avoid police controls and trying to get drunk and drive’ she adds.

The Campaign

The Christmas THINK campaign will also see increased use of Field Impairment Tests to detect drug use.

New radio and Internet adverts will be launched alongside TV adverts, cinema and in-pub advertising to help get the message across.

A big well-known non-alcoholic drink brand is also backing the campaign by offering a “buy one, get two more free” deal for designated drivers at 2,500 participating pubs.

Last year 460 people died and families across Britain were devastated by the menace of drink driving. 

Deportation is not the solution

Red Ribbon Source:Wikipedia

More people than ever before are living with HIV in the UK and new infections continue…

International students of the University of Westminster living in London condemn the UK government’s policy to deport HIV positive victims back to their countries.

“This is not the solution to the problem”, said George, 27 a student of computer science from Brazil living in London.

And “The money spent to send people back home should be utilized to create a programme to help people.”

Started on 1st December 1988 today is World’s Aids Day and “Britain is criticised for deporting HIV patients,” read a report on one of the London newspapers The Guardian.

According to the report, the UK has strongly supported the G8 pledge to get treatment to all people who need care in poor countries, yet it is sending people back who have been discovered with HIV.

Paul, a Journalism professor from University of Westminster said: “Aids is a worldwide problem you can’t solve it by drawing barriers”.

HIV is a serious long-term condition and people living with HIV often face discrimination. The prejudice needs to end.

Students from Greece Vasiliki and Elena said: “no matter where you live you have a right to be treated” and “If people work and pay taxes in Britain they need to be treated here”.

The Red Ribbon

The red ribbon is the international symbol of support for people suffering from AIDS. Wearing a red ribbon is a great way to raise funds and awareness.

Survey across the campus of the University of Westminster showed students are critical of the authority in the UK and would like people to be more aware of the problem rather than shunning the problem.

(Background to this article)

APOCALYPSE NOW

Lead:A week of unrest globally from Mumbai to Bangkok has made students at the University of Westminster think twice about visiting global hotspots.

Click for Background Article to Apocalypse now

By Sunil Kumar

Students and staff at the University of Westminster were shaken but largely indifferent after a week of global unrest as militants attacked the Taj Mahal hotel and other landmarks in Mumbai and Bangkok Airport was taken over by local militia leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

As nearly 200 people died in India’s commercial capital and Bangkok was under siege for the sixth day, people from all over the world expressed their shock and anger on the week that was.

Bokyung Park, 29, Seoul, S. Korea, never really considered going to either Mumbai or Bangkok. Now she thinks going to either place extremely risky.

TERRORIST VIOLENCE

People from all over the world were shaken by terrorist violence in Mumbai and the unrest in Bangkok.

Kam Gill, 20, a British Asian from London has close relatives in India. His relatives had an extremely difficult holiday.

“It was difficult to make calls and get through with mobile phones. But this has not really affected my travel plans,” Gill says.

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Adriana Mendez, 25, Mexico, was planning to go to India during Easter however Tony Lee, 48, London is indifferent. Mumbai and Bangkok were never on his radar.

Other students expressed interest in travelling to India and were not really affected by the attacks in Mumbai and Bangkok.

TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT

Chinami Miyasaka, 22, Nagano, Japan, feels that there are serious issues to be tackled. But she adds that what happened in Mumbai can happen anywhere in the world. She is still planning to visit Mumbai.

Javier from Barcelona, Spain, says, “ I plan to visit India professionally as a journalist rather than a tourist. I was in the Madrid tube when terrorists attacked. What happened in India can happen anywhere in the world. I think India in general will be more safe and there will be increased security.”

Andrew Otto, 34, Colorado, USA, says, “I really planned to visit Bombay some time and the Taj Mahal hotel. It seemed to be a beautiful place. I don’t know why Americans and British were specifically targeted. Probably a lot of people out there don’t like us.”

MUMBAI’s 9/11
A few girls were really put off by the terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

Alexandra Murphy, 22, Essex, says, “I don’t want to visit not right now, maybe I will visit Bangkok or Mumbai in 20 years.”

Chinaka Iwunze, 23, an International Journalism student from Lagos, Nigeria, has a more considered opinion to offer. However she tells me that she never ever planned to visit either country.

“Issues need to be reexamined and nobody knows what will happen next. One thought that European countries were largely targeted by terrorists. India however is closer to home and I have a lot of friends from India,” she adds.

SPORTING FINALE

The terrorist attacks have also disrupted the ongoing India-England cricket series.

Stuart More, 29, from Milton Keynes, England adds that the Mumbai attacks have unnecessarily complicated things.“England is coming back. Human life is anyday more important than sport. I think they should have cancelled the one-day series. But the Test series should definitely go on.”

Shipping