The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Resilience and guts

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Monday, Jul 11, 2005

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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Resilience and guts

The resilience of Britons and their display of "plain, common guts" (July 9) in the wake of 7/7 are reminiscent of the London blitzkrieg during World War II (September 7, 1940-May 16, 1941) when the great city burnt night after night because of German bombing. Maybe we should follow them in situations such as this, instead of destroying public property and inciting a section of the people.

Col. (retd.) C.V. Venugopalan,
Palakkad, Kerala

* * *

A series of bomb blasts tore London apart. Amid the ruin and bloodbath, the people stood their ground and sent a message of unity and resolve to the perpetrators of terror. No dissenting voice, and no accusations though the terrorists succeeded in their horrendous mission. Contrast this with the way our political parties reacted to the foiled attack in Ayodhya a couple of days earlier.

S.N. Raghunathan,
Chennai

* * *

It is very satisfying to know that most of the media reacted responsibly. Our media, particularly the partisan television channels of Tamil Nadu, should learn a lesson or two from them on how to behave responsibly during a crisis.

V. Gopalan,
Thanjavur, T.N.

* * *

Compare the following scenario in London with our overzealous correspondents shoving mikes on the faces of victims and leaders for "sound bites": There was no speculation on the number of casualties or those responsible for the blasts (in fact, they were not even confirmed as acts of terror till officials said so); the chief of the Metro, the Mayor, and other officials appreciated his or her department's role in handling the crisis; when details were not available, they said so and the media did not force words out of them; there was no blame game; and the people silently bore the inconvenience caused.

K. Swaminathan,
Mumbai

* * *

While Londoners cutting across party, race, and religious differences helped not only the victims but also the administration to restore normality we in India reacted to the Ayodhya attack on expected party lines, from blaming the administration to criticising intelligence. Our parties called for a bandh, destroyed public property, paralysed normal life and criticised our own leadership for making an appeal not to politicise the issue.

M. Akhtar,
Secunderabad

* * *

Since 9/11, the developed world has also been exposed to the horrifying face of terror. There is no good or bad terrorism. Such attacks should make the Western world appreciate this truth.

Pradhyumna Rajanikant Kansara,
Anand, Gujarat

* * *

When thousands of innocent people died in Iraq and Afghanistan, it was classified as collateral damage. Will the death of Britons in the 7/7 blast also be classified as such?

R. Mohan,
Erode, T.N.

* * *

The Blair Government has been hoist with its own petard. Hapless British civilians have paid with their lives for the war on terror.

R. Kesavan,
Chennai

* * *

Tony Blair and the Americans are shouting that the world should get together to eradicate terrorism. Where were the Western media and leaders when Sri Lanka was systematically devastated by the LTTE? Many innocent people, including Buddhist monks, were killed and maimed. Leaders including a former President were killed. None of the so-called leaders of the free world talked of eradicating terrorism. In fact, it is the West that provides sanctuary to the Tigers.

Daya Hewapathirane,
Brampton, Ontario

* * *

Mr. Blair should ask his ally George Bush to help in this hour of crisis — he is an expert in smoking out militants from their holes.

K.V.S.S. Narayana,
Chennai

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