We got news of the blasts when we were watching a movie in PVR cinemas. As we walked out we noticed a lot of other people also quietly walking out, there was no chaos and no panic. People were just quietly picking up their stuff and leaving, while some people were still watching the movie, wondering what was going on. I hope at some point, management made an announcement, so people were able to leave reasonably.
The traffic was very orderly, shops were open, the city reacted by showing no reaction whatsoever. I think AP Police Department should get credit for having controlled the situation so quickly.
The sad part was for pure Hyderabadis like myself. I love Hyderabad. It was sad when Mecca Masjid was bombed, where I have never been. But I’ve been to Lumbini park many times, seen the laser show. I knew the Lumbini park grounds since before there was a park there. I ate at Gokul chat bhandar 3-4 times a week for four years when I was in college. We still make it there once in a while. I have passed these two places hundreds of times and feel a very personal connection to these places, and can easily put myself in the place of the people that died. If the blasts had happened another day, another time, my family or I could have been the people killed. This ties it to me in a way that I cannot even describe, and brings tears to my eyes.
The poor, poor people who died. If ever there is a case of people being in the wrong place at the wrong time, this is it. Why are we surrounded with such senseless violence? What makes people do these kinds of things? What was the objective, and who stands to gain? I think Hyderabadis have proved that they have become inured to these random acts of violence. So I am not sure what purpose was served. YSR came on TV, made all the right noises, but we all know that the people who did this may never get caught.
In the end, we will pay the price for this, again and again. Tightened security in public places is additional burden on the common man’s pocket. The terrorists have not attacked a government or an establishment, they have attacked common people, like you and me and our friends.
Something should be done. Please, please report any suspicious activity. The bombs are being made in ordinary homes, there must be neighbors. I don’t advocate paranoia, but please keep your eyes open. If you see any object that is unattended, report it to the authorities right away. Above all, take care of yourself and your families.
