A mirror to Mumbai

What is this 'spirit of Mumbai' that figures so prominently in the media coverage of tragedies that hit the city?

Something that can be called upon to divert attention from the Government's failure to provide security to its citizens?

Resilience to bounce back after tragedy?

A chat topic for hacks seeking their 30 seconds of fame?

Emotional padding employed by new channels to bolster viewership ratings?

Well Mumbai has proved from past incidents that it has the resilience to bounce back. But that's necessity more than spirit. After all what can the working class do but recover and go to work. Mumbai is the most expensive city in India, and if you don't work, you don't eat. Which is a worse tragedy for 75% of the population of Mumbai.

This spirit (read 'survival instinct of the working class') is glorified by hacks on TV, who were born with silver spoons for their every orifice. People who don't need to work for a living. People who don't need to bounce back, but can sit in air-conditioned environments praising the spirit of a city that's been battered and bruised by terror attacks for more than a decade.

The hacks will continue to preach; as will opportunistic politicians who have easier ways of gaining votes than by providing security to citizens - like caste, religion and language. And of course, the TV channels whose reports have more drama than a Karan Johar movie (it's all about TRPs baby!).

The vultures always converge when tragedy strikes. And after consuming their fill, they say goodbye. Adios. Till next time, when the next tragedy strikes.

India needs a change. From the democracy it practises to the democracy it preaches. We need better governance than what the politicians in this country can provide.