We the nation

I received this via email. The photograph as well, it seems it is a signpost put up by the Indian army at one of the highest passes in the world. Not sure about the authenticy of the signature, but here it is, uploaded as I received it.

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 May be a repeat but an apt one in the times that we live today. I hope people who are bent upon dividing India on religious, communal and caste basis see this. I hope Raj Thackre sees this. Some one should tell Raj Thackre that Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan belonged to Kerala, born and brought up in Karnataka, joined the BIHAR Regiment of the Indian Army, went on deputation to NSG and sacrificed his life in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Not only him but most of the armed forces personnel who took part in the operation at Mumbai did not belong to Maharashtra. They are and were Indians. The esteem and respect of our politicians is at the lowest ebb. Yet, we cannot do without them because our democratic system needs them. But what we need to change is the quality of leadership. Before we forget and forgive them, let us demand and get protection from terrorists and fight terrorists on a common platform instead of the beaten path of caste, community, religion on which these very politicans have divided our country. If Advani and Manmohan Singh could not travel to Mumbai in the same air craft to show solidarity, they have gone back to their usual bitching about each party sooner than the pyre of those brave hearts and innocents cooled down. If Modi feels that Rs one crore is the price to show his sympathy to Hemant Karkare's family after all the accusations that were collectively hurled at him, he should be shown the door as the widow of Hemant did. If RR Patil can brush aside this attack on India with a simple statement that "these things do happen", let us tell him that he has no right to be our leader. If Gopinath Munde thinks he can get a few votes by showing his face at Nariman House, then let us show him why he is not wanted in our system.

We need politicians who can be as free as we can be in these times and not sit inside fortressed walls or escorted by hundreds of security personnel after getting sanitized to their under garments. Their life is not more precious than ours. They are not our kings. If we have made them to be our kings, lets us make them praja. This is the time to demand and make India of our dreams and not light a few candles and forget the whole issue of national security.

Over 4000 innocents have died in India due to terrorist attacks, second to Iraq. Have we not had enough of this? Is power to rule the only salvation for our country's political leadership? Do the lives of these people who sacrifice their lives and the innocents who are killed do not matter. It may not matter to our leadership but surely to us.

For 72 hours we were impotent, at loss as to what we should do. There was paralysis and our brain stopped thinking. WE have not realized the enormity of the continued terrorist attacks. No city is safe. Only our leaders are. Do we not deserve better leadership to start with so that we all can be more safe? Think. Let us do something (tragically we do not know what?) to make ourselves life safe sot that all of us, irrespective of our caste, community and religion, live like an Indian. Let us give meaning to the word Indian and shun this communal and religious divide which is making our country a laughing stock in the comity of nations. This may be our last opportunity.

Regards Colonel Sridharan