Surprising isn't it that shame can be a virtue after all. But shame here is not as in getting shame, but, shame as in feeling shamefulness on a wrong doing. Shamefulness is actually a virtue even for the least virtuous person alive.
Recently the whole world saw Mumbai held ransom, Mumbai helpless, Mumbai fighting, Mumbai reacting, Mumbai angry and above all Mumbai demanding answers. What we also saw was shameless people everywhere. Shameless police waiting for NSG to interfere in the most horrid terrorist attack on Mumbai. Shameless Shivraj Patil quietly resigning without having to account for the terrorist attack. As if he sacrificed so much for the country by giving up his post. Shameless Narayan Rane, just days after the attack, threatening to bring down the government on not becoming the chief minister. Shameless Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi comparing the angry Mumbaikars to terrorists in J&K. Shameless media flaunting only anger and violence in our faces. Shameless A.R.Antulay suggesting that ATS chief Hemant Karkare's death was a conspiracy of some kind. And again that same shameless A.R. Antulay defiant about his statement causing an uproar. And yet again that same shameless Antulay going back on his words when his ministerial position was at stake.
And recently our shameless neighbour denying that Qasab(the lone caught-alive terrorist) is a Pakistani, when Qasab has admitted to it, his parents have and the whole world has proved that he is a Pakistani. Shameless Pakistan yet again saying that proofs, sent by India to prove Pakistanis are involved in the attacks, are insufficient.
And most recently the shameless Mayawati saying her party had nothing to do with the PWD engineer's death regarding collection of donations for her 'Birthday Celebrations'. Yet the shameless Mayawati goes on to celebrate her Birthday as 'virodhi party dhikkar diwas'(down with opposition day).
Above all the shameless we, who take in all this and sit tight-lipped, so nice and cosy. Other than writing and speaking a few words here and there, we do nothing.
God knows when(?) the whole world...all of us, will learn to stand upright on OUR OWN backbones, accept the responsibilities of our doings and at least feel shameful for what we have done.
