'Pay homage on 26/11'

The Public Concern for Governance Trust says it's important to mark Mumbai's terror strike to show the city still cares

Asu00a0the city moves into countdown mode to mark the first year of the 26/11 terror attacks, citizens, NGOs and public trusts are all doing their bit to pay homage to the martyrs, heroes and remember the victims in their own way.



The Public Concern for Governance Trust (PCGT) says it is, "Important to pay homage on this day so that the survivors of the tragedy know that they have somebody remembering them."

The PCGT is going to mark one year of the attack with a sombre event on November 25, at the Tata Theater at the National Center of Performing Arts (see In memory box).

Says Narayan Varma, PCGT trustee, "On the 25th, we are going to release a paper formulated by former top cop Julio Ribeiro. The charter will encapsulate a number of demands from the Government (see Stay out, politicians box). This particular initiative is called the Citizen's Alliance for Police Excellence (CAPE).u00a0 We have to see that this is implemented and does not remain just a piece of paper." Meanwhile, the PCGT wants to give back a piece of childhood to children who lost parents in the Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) shooting. On Children's Day, the office at PCGT Breach Candy reverberated with childish delight as the kids celebrated at a party. "We wanted them to have fun for a day," said the trust.

The PCGT says they will also use their influence to expedite all processes like compensation for the victims if not received, a home and a job to those who had been promised one.

The PCGT co-committee member Anshita Asnani says, "Last year, post 26/11, a number of movements mushroomed in a rush of blood, as angry citizens pledged that they would become aggressive. Many of those lost traction. Goodwill is one thing but focus and direction is important. One year on, anger may definitely bubble to the surface again but we say: Do not just get mad, get effective."

Turning personal grief to action

Marine Drive resident Sarla Parekh lost her son Sunil and daughter-in-law Reshma to the 26/11 terror attacks at the Oberoi-Trident. That personal tragedy has now acted as a catalyst to fight what she calls, "the system".

Parekh, who joined the PCGT, says that she is, "helping them by way of finance and inputs like doing certain research on police reforms. I have also filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on decreasing the security of VIPs, so that the shortage of personnel is eased. Even former UK PM Tony Blair had just three people as security."u00a0
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Parekh says that her personal loss made her, "realise that I too had failed. I was self-centered, though I used to do social work earlier, I thought issues like this don't affect us. I had to change". Parekh is also taking on the hotels for negligence, guided by the PCGT. She had said earlier, "My children are gone. In a while, I will be gone too but the next generation must not suffer."

In memory
On Wednesday, November 25, the Public Concern for Governance Trust (PCGT) is holding a special event in conjunction with the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) at Tata theatre, on the eve of the anniversary of the 26/11-terror attacks in the city. The event, called 'We Remember', comprises of prayers sung by Anup Jalota and blind students. The Symphony Orchestra will also play at the memorial concert. This is a moving musical memory for the victims of the attack.
For details call 2204 3208u00a0u00a0

Stay out, politicians
Edited excerpts from the CAPE charter, framed by Julio Ribeiro:
Appointment of a State Security Commission to ensure officers of proven integrity and competence are appointed to the top positions.

No interference in transfers and other departmental matters, including recruitment, promotion and rewards by politicians.u00a0

The present arrangement, which permits the Home Department to directly post officers of the rank of Deputy Commissioner and below and to transfer Senior Inspectors, should be immediately abrogated.u00a0

There should be no interference by Mantralaya in the investigation of crimes. The role of the politicians should be to fight corruption and injustice.

The procedures for purchase of necessary equipment or arms should be modified to facilitate quicker decisions.u00a0