A lot has happened after the Mumbai attacks. Mopping up operations have taken place and the government is trying to make sure we, as a country, are not so vulnerable in future. People are coming to terms with the fact that terror attacks can happen anywhere, not only abroad but in our country and city too. Life has become very uncertain now.

The impact of the televised account of the terror attacks have led to a lot of insecurity in children and adults. The terror attacks came into our drawing rooms, we were glued to the television sets, and constantly channel surfing.  We did not want to miss out on any action. Did we realize how much it is going to affect us?

We laid ourselves open to traumatic time by watching the proceedings. There are many who will suffer from post traumatic stress disorder by having watched the scenes on television. They need not have actually been present at the terror attacks sites. But the impact of watching and the feeling of tension will be with us for a very long time.

We have had the comfort of our drawing rooms, we were inside our houses. But still this did not convey enough security.  The terror strikes were not limited to the star hotels only. The terrorists sprayed bullets at the passengers waiting on railway platform, at people sitting in a cafe and at people who were inside a hospital. So any place where people gather is now targeted. This can be very scary. 

It has brought home the fact that we are vulnerable to attacks anywhere.  Adults have been affected, but the impact on children has been enormous.  There have been instances of children who were at home watching these televised attacks and who now fear for the safety of their parents’ lives. There is a case of a child constantly calling up his mother at her office to check if she is fine.

The intelligence lapses, the mobilization of security personnel, the providing of all infrastructure and other details are all being discussed. The perpetrators are being discovered, the television channels are still showing the images of the carnage and there are various debates being carried out on how this terror strike could have been avoided.  It is not going to die down soon and our senses will still be bombarded with these violent images.

Such images were to be seen in movies.  There we had the consolation it is on celluloid. All we had to do was see the movies, and return to our safe, sometimes boring lives. But it is no longer that. We get to see images and hear and read accounts of bomb blasts and terror attacks on innocent people almost everyday.

Movies are supposed to depict real life, but some say reel life leads to real life. But what happens when television channels bring us such horrifying details?  The pool of blood on the railway platform, the discarded baggage, the hospital personnel rushing around with stretchers, the blood stained clothing, etc leave a profound effect on our senses. Violent death is being witnessed first hand and second hand with television.

Children have started to ask uncomfortable questions.  The adults have to handle these questions with caution. Age related answers have to be given.  The children also need lots of reassurance and their sense of security has to be strengthened.

Actually schools have to conduct fire drills, crisis evacuation drills and other medical emergency drills. This will equip the children to act responsibly and not to panic in times of actual trouble.  Periodic such drills will keep the lessons strong and they must also be taught some defense moves. Simple tactics of defense have to be taught at schools.  The colleges will have to continue these drills and defense tactics.

All school children must be taught first aid techniques.  This will teach them not to panic when they see cuts and blood and also how to behave under trying circumstances.

It is very unfortunate, but our children are being exposed to violence and they have to be taught to be self reliant and how to be alert.

The impact of this terror attack will be felt for a  long time. For the first time everyone has had a front bench view of the proceedings. How much has been internalized, only time will tell.

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