My last week's article, "They did it again", generated some interesting responses on social networking sites where I share my link and I received a request from a regular reader of this blog, Dr.Pulak Parag. To quote his exact words, "Do suggest some practical solutions that a common man is able to offer. I am sure there are plenty of ways in which we can correct ourselves before we blame the government."
True, we accuse the government for lack of comprehensive strategy, political will and spine to combat terrorism but there are so many ways in which we can contribute too, but don't! So, here are a few suggestions that can be considered and implemented and are very easy to follow.
1) Accept terrorism as reality and not just events that we always read about in newspaper and watch on TV/net.
2) Be extra alert while travelling, renting properties, hiring people and check the background of people with whom we deal in our personal/professional spheres.
3) Train ourselves to deal with unique challenges that arise at the time of terrorist attacks. Focus of the training should be, first aid training, basic security measure training, learning survival skills...etc. Also, participate in spreading the awareness on how to save other lives at the time of such attacks.
4) NOT succumbing to the greed for the sake of money/convenience/favour/religious compulsions. Terrorists always depend on local support and typically, people who fall prey to terrorists' plans and end up helping them directly or indirectly are the ones who concede to such greed.
5) Be responsible and inform police about anything/anyone suspicious. It doesn't take much time to inform police (it is high time to get rid of the mindset of, "why get involved with police").
6) Be responsible in passing news and exercise restrain which is crucial at such challenging times.
7) Create teams of volunteers who are trained and skilled in handling the calamity and the aftermath, in every possible town/cities.
8) Keep numbers of hospitals /blood banks/ doctors accessible.
9) Making children and senior citizens aware and train them to face such events as they are very vulnerable in such times.
10) NOT be biased about any particular community in our actions, mindsets and behaviour.
11) Learning how NOT to be provoked by panic and provoke others with hysterical frustration and vulnerability. This is very important in minimizing further damage. Stop watching sensational news covering terrorists attack as it doesn't serve any purpose and over period of time, grows on our psyche. Instead, get the prerequisite information, think how we can contribute and do the needful.
12) Always support local authority in maintaining law and order instead of hampering police work by flocking at the site of terrorist attack, as if it is some tourist spot!
13) Try to refrain from participating in any discussion that can lead to strong reactions/comments that propagate hatred for any country, community or society. Human kind has suffered immensely due to malevolent disease of hatred, prejudice and judgment. Strong emotions like hatred can breed alienation and division which can sometimes lead to terrorism.
14) Vote for the right candidate. It is inappropriate to think that all people in politics are bad. If you don't like the options available, help bring/support some good people in politics. We need educated, committed, capable and truly secular people in politics. Let's try to do our bit instead of cribbing about corrupt politicians. Remember, it is us, who vote for them and bring them to power.
15) There are a very few people subscribing to terror but a whole big world completely AGAINST it and fighting to combat it. Should we be intimidated by terror and allow the terrorist to create fear; which is their basic purpose or REFUSE to give in and learn to deal with the agony, do the needful, move on and be stronger in our mind and spirits and unite to fight this global challenge? Think and make your choice.
I’m sure there is lot more we can do as citizens and I might have missed out on many things. Why don't you chime in your suggestions? Let's not forget that each single opportunity of us being saved from terrorist attack is a life's reminder that it is time to learn from our tragedies, grow, heal our wounds and face each new day with a smile and determination and make new beginnings.
Life is a very precious gift. Let us not take it for granted.
