This week, my heart has been heavy with grief and reflection following a series of national tragedies. The devastating plane crash en route to London was meant to be a journey filled with hope, dreams, and new beginnings for many. Instead, it ended in unimaginable loss. It served as a harsh reminder that everything we build, dream, and create can vanish in the blink of an eye.
Social media is abuzz with statements like, “Life is so unpredictable-you go on holiday and terrorists open fire; you join a victory parade and get caught in a stampede; you board a flight and it crashes without warning; you’re studying quietly in your hostel, and a plane crashes into your building.”
But is this truly about life’s unpredictability-or is it about failed systems?
- The terrorist attack: Who is responsible for
border security and the safety of citizens? - The Bengaluru stampede: Where was the
planning, the management, the foresight? Who
is responsible for crowd control, permissions,
and risk assessment? - The London-bound plane crash: Were safety standards and preventive measures
ignored? Who ensures compliance with aviation safety protocols? - The hostel crash: Why are buildings permitted near no-fly zones? Who grants these
approvals in violation of safety norms?
Rather than attributing these tragedies to fate, we must begin to hold people and systems accountable. These are not isolated accidents-they are the result of systemic failure and administrative negligence.
The haunting images of these incidents will remain etched in our collective memory-not just for the lives lost, but as a painful indictment of a system that failed its people. The headlines we read today are not just about loss-they’re about the consequences of ignorance, negligence, and a dangerous lack of foresight.
Each incident that occurred in such a short span is not only a breakdown of responsibility-it may well be a breakdown of conscience.
Yes, we Indians mourn deeply. But we cannot afford to mourn blindly. We do not just want compensation. We want answers. And if the truth is uncomfortable-we want justice.
These events highlight the urgent need for:
- Advanced technology in public safety systems
- Strict adherence to safety protocols
- Transparent investigations and real
accountability
I’m not writing this for solace. I’m writing because silence is heavier. Perhaps readers feel it too.
Are we as safe as we think we are?
Or are we simply not asking the right questions?
