The devastating terror attack in Mumbai resulted in both positive and negative awakenings.


First, the positive awakenings –

This attack gave us an opportunity to know about the excellence and skills of our security personnel, especially the marine commandos and the commandos of the famed NSG (National Security Guards).The adeptness with which they have handled the situation has boostedour confidence and faith on them to no extent. We now know for surethat our commandos are among the best in the world.

This terror attack also gave us a chance to know that our country still has brave and courageous people like Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte, Vijay Salaskar, Major Unnikrishnan and Gajendra Singh,who can unhesitatingly lay down their lives for the sake of theirmotherland. Not that we ever had any doubt about the existence of suchpeople in India. We have witnessed the selfless supreme sacrifices madeby a host of young soldiers at the time of Kargil war. And even now,almost every other day we get the news of brave Indian soldiers layingdown their lives in the border areas while fighting terrorist elements.However, the martyrdom of the security personnel handling Mumbai terrorattack has inspired the Indian youth in a significant manner,encouraging them to play whatever roles they can play for the serviceof their great motherland.

Now, the negative awakenings –

The incident has highlighted serious lapses in the Indian intelligence network, apart from bringing into light flaws in the functioning of the Indian Coast Guard.

Hopefullythe concerned agencies will undertake a thorough assessment of theirinfrastructure and functioning style, identify the loopholes and roomsfor improvements, and address the same. Good luck to them.