Letter to a terrorist

I write this a day after 6 serial blasts in Jaipur kill more than 50 and wound close to 200. These blasts now leave a burning imprint in the annals of Jaipur’s pristine history, and the rustic peace of the pink city has been forever disturbed.

Mr. Terrorist, I don’t know what schedule mass murderers of men follow, but if it permits you some free time, then I hope to God that you come across this blog one day, and that you read this letter I am addressing to you. Don’t worry, it is not a hate mail. I am merely thanking you.

Thank you Mr. Terrorist. For trying to remind a nation that you exist, time and again. We as a people, are essentially happy these days, 2008 is proving to be a good year for us, and Indians from all over the world, in all walks of life are making their presence felt across the globe. We tend to forget you in such moments, just as a man in moments of bliss would tend to forget an infected wound on his foot. You have been just that to us, and we will acknowledge your presence once again.

Thank you Mr. Terrorist. For inadvertently showing us that you have relegated yourself to attacking the second tier cities of the country. Maybe you are just not the man you used to be, going after the Mumbais and the Delhis of the country. Maybe its not that easy anymore. Maybe you feel fear too. Thank you letting us know that.

Thank you Mr. Terrorist, again for inadvertently proving to be the most cohesive force that binds all Indians together. In this day of reservations, fractious regionalism, and IPL, (come on, don’t tell me you haven’t watched it yet), we sometimes forget that we’re one country, one land and one people. You have united a billion people again, and the heartache that we feel when we see the dead and maimed of Jaipur makes us forget caste, religion and creed, and all our petty bickerings. In that moment, we feel only empathy for a fellow country man, and that unites a country more strongly than anything else. Thank you Mr. Terrorist for uniting us. You have brought us together once again.

Thank you Mr. Terrorist for strengthening us again. Thank you for showing us that there is always room to become stronger. The people of Jaipur won’t ever forget May 13th, just as Mumbai will never forget July 11th, and in this day of tragedy, heart of hearts, they will feel the need to become stronger. And they will.

Thank you Mr. Terrorist for showing us just who the weak are, in this whole bargain. There were bombs hidden in cycles, and they killed women, children and the elderly alike. Mr. Terrorist, on behalf of the whole nation of India, I would like to point out that you are weaker than the most aggrieved survivor of your ghastly deed yesterday.

I do not know if you are a follower of your faith, but if you are, I don't know which God permits this. Also, I do not know if damned men feel pangs of conscience. I am not really sure if the law of 'karma' even applies to a man like you, but just so you know, on behalf of all the people of India, right from the wealthiest millionaire to the most impoverished pauper of the land, we hope you die a thousand deaths for every person you killed yesterday.

You may have snuffed out lives, crushed dreams, and maimed bodies forever. But you have strengthened more souls in the bargain than you would have ever imagined. Well done Mr. Terrorist.