There’s a condition in psychology that has been derived from the scientific study of Physics. Stress. I’m sure we’re all familiar with the term as we all undergo stress in our daily lives. Stress has its plus points... a certain amount of stress helps us perform optimally in various areas of our life. So to a certain degree, it helps... but when it crosses a threshold, that’s when it makes an impact on your immune system.

A more advanced stage of this is a condition called ‘cumulative stress’ which is the result of crossing that threshold repeatedly. Ultimately, this leads to a breakdown of a human being’s ability to function normally due to inability of his/ her immune system to cope with ‘continued stress’.

Now, I’m not here to give you a crash course in psychology but would like to use this as an analogy to describe the state of mind of the Indian people in the collective sense [especially the Mumbaikars at this point].

I’ve read the news, both, in the print and broadcast formats and it’s pretty obvious that we’re on the verge of a ‘breakdown’ [or have already crossed the threshold mentioned above].

Hence, the cries of anger and outrage [which have largely been exploited by the media for its benefit] coupled with an intense desire for a change in this country.

So, if I might put it mildly, the country is in a state of emotional turmoil over the events of 26/11. And rightly so. Not only that, it has changed the way India has responds to law, government and all in all, politics by holding them completely responsible for this heinous act.

And when I say India, I mean, the Indian people. The lay-men of our country, so to speak. And some of the sentiments expressed show very violent signs of vindictiveness, an unforgiving spirit, mistrust of the government and more dramatically, a state of helplessness and confusion.

And this is exactly what the terrorists want? Civil Unrest.

Looking at the resignation of Home Minister and a startled and very humbled response from the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, we can safely conclude that the government has taken the brunt of the people’s anger. Well, why not? They have absolutely no explanation to justify their inability to respond with swiftness leave alone with effectiveness. Right?

I would like to mention that if the British and U.S governments had no answers to attacks on their home soil... we should cut our administration some slack here, although I do agree, there is a lot left to be desired of them in more ways than one.

If I might be permitted another analogy, it’s as if the foundations of a building have been shaken. And really, to me, it’s a good thing.

What I fail to understand was why were politicians surprised that they were being blamed?

India is no stranger to terror.

Who can forget the countless troops and civilians that have died along the Punjab-Pakistan border?

Who can forget the troops and civilians that have died in what is now known as ‘Azad Kashmir’ or ‘PoK’?

And when did this all begin? Almost two decades ago.

What has the government been doing all this while?

In my opinion, this issue has either been swept under the mat or just ignored with the single intent of keeping the best interests of the ‘ruling party’ in mind.

And who has suffered for all of this? Not the politicians of course.

It’s the Indian people. The people who shed their blood, sweat and tears to ensure that this country doesn’t come to a standstill.

And according to me, these 20 years of ’stress’ has caused a ‘breakdown’ in being ‘immune’ to events such as this. And it is life changing. The Indian people will not tolerate it anymore. I think that’s been made abundantly clear by the media [especially by NDTV].

Collectively, as a nation, we have either reached or crossed that threshold of tolerance. We can safely assume that the mental health of this nation can now be diagnosed as unstable because of ‘cumulative stress’ that have occurred over the past 20 years. And to me, this is also a good thing.

For starters, ask your parents one question.
Question: What do you think/ feel about Pakistan?

The response you will get is one which describes years of fear, mistrust, disappointment, indignation and rage all rolled into one in varying degrees. And most of all, the response would a stifled one too.

But that has changed with our generation... hasn’t it?

We have reached a point where we have accepted the fact that we deserve a better, empowered, successful and more importantly a peaceful and joyful life. And we’re not getting anywhere right now...

This is the first step to putting an end to this decade-old issue by confronting and ridding ourselves of these fears and a victimized, self-defeating attitude that have held us and our nation captive for ages now which manifests itself by scorning the very people we put into power. Get real please!

If we want a change, we will have to make an “inner change”. And that starts with, yes, with the Indian people... in the way we look at ourselves, our country, its principles and where we would like stand as a nation and how we respond to events such as the Mumbai attacks. We will have to retrace back to times when the martyrs of this great nation shed their blood for this nation’s Independence. And seek wisdom and comfort from their teachings. Not waste our time blaming the administration etc. This will only lead to ‘circular arguments’, endless rhetoric and a resolution that will remain illusive like it has in the past.

They say ‘A journey begins with a single step...’ and I believe that this journey to living the Indian dream rests on our shoulders. The people.

When we make this inner change, one which involves accountability, a sense of realism and true ‘patriotism’, only then will we be able to take authentic proactive measures to ensure that there will not be another “Mumbai Attack”.

Please understand that by blaming the administration that things will not change. This is a time to ’stick together’. A time for healing despite the past animosity that we have against politics. After all, we were the ones who voted them into power. When you face that fact then maybe you’ll understand what I mean. This is a time to come together as a nation and direct the resentment, angst and intensity towards the culprits that have had the audacity to challenge our nation. And by any means possible.

In my next article, I will make an attempt to describe the second step to ‘Building a stronger, empowered, enlightened and an India that we can all be proud of’, using principles from Sun Tzu’s ‘The Art of War’.

Jai Hind.

DISCLAIMER: Please understand that ‘civil unrest’ is exactly what these terrorists want, so let’s not give them that by voicing our opinions that can incite public outrage and in turn, assist the terrorists continue to win a war they’ve been winning for ages now! It’s time to take a cold, calculating approach to this subject... keep our emotions under check... and strike viciously out at them, when the time is right!