Emotions on US Terrorist Attacks

Kishore C.S. (September 2001)

Sometime back I wrote an article detailing my emotions when Gujarath Earthquake occured when I was over whelmed with feelings. Recent Terrorists attacks also evoked strong emotions. The following is what went on in my mind when these attacks happened.

I don't have habit of turning on TV in the morning before I leave for office because I am generally busy with daily routine of getting ready for office etc. On 11th September I was getting ready for office when I received a phone call from some friend who told that there were bomb attacks in New York. When I turned on the TV, I could not believe what I saw. I called another friend to get an update on what happened. My friend gave a brief of what happened. I was shocked to hear these things. My first reaction was: How can I such a thing happen in US? US is a very secure place where security checks are thorough and intelligence agencies are much more active to prevent such incidents.

My Emotions

As I learned more and more about the attacks, my emotions got stronger. The worst was watching the second plane crashing into Second Tower which was shown live. I was horrified watching the event and was pained deeply. I wished it was a movie I was watching where every thing is animated and not a real situation. I imagined what emotions people in the flight might have gone through, knowing that their death is certain and also knowing that their plane is crashing into a building where many more can die. And what might have gone through the people who had to run for their life. If anyone saw the flight moments before it crashed right into them, I cannot imagine the fear one can experience at that moment. And also emotions when people experienced the earth shattering noise and bangs. No one imagines such events will ever happen in the normal course of life. And when the buildings crashed so many people were trying to get out the of the buildings, so many were trying to help others and in a minute the building collapses and everyone goes down with the building. So many people saw those events as they were happening and this experience is going to be a nightmarish experience which they will not be able to overcome for the rest of their life.

If such incidents are accidents, it is easier to mourn. But when we realize that these are deliberate acts of terrorism, it is different. One question that comes to mind is WHY?

- Why would somebody scheme and plan such an act?
- Why so many innocent people have to die?
- How can one carry out such suicidal act and take lives of so many innocent people.?

No one can answer such questions easily.

State of the Nation

US as a nation was on complete alert. All Flights were cancelled. Stock Markets closed. Offices, Schools across country were closed. All major buildings, monuments, theme parks were evacuated. Life came to a stand still. Everyone sat glued to TVs watching the events as they evolved and as the intensity of attacks were reported. World Trade Center Towers and Pentagon were attacked and it is reported that the fourth plane that crashed was headed for Washington and possibly White House was the target. As speculated, if passengers and crew of the fourth plane attacked hijackers and averted the crash onto White House, it is indeed a brave and noble deed on their part. Knowing that their death is certain, taking a drastic step of attacking the hijackers is most patriotic deed on part of any human.

Though shocked and dazed, I proceeded to office only to know that office is closed like many other offices across silicon valley. But we continued to spend sometime at office and returned home early that day. For the first time I spent more time on Internet Checking news. All news sites reported the events and Internet proved to be very useful to know welfare of people. As phone lines got busy through out New York, they used internet to communicate their welfare to concerned family members and friends. I read reactions of people who were shocked at the turn of events. I have never spent so much time on Internet reading news. Every one was eager to know latest on the developments like: who did it? how many lost their lives? what happened to each building? How these events happened?

From then till today I have not completely digested the news and I don't have the mood to work. The images of the airplane crashing into the tower keeps coming back to my mind and can't work anymore.

It is with heavy heart that I write these words and keep praying to God for the pain and suffering of many families who lost their relatives in the tragedy. 

 I know it is not just US but every nation and human in the world is effected by the turn of events. No one knows what is going to happen next. As everyone prepares for retaliation of US, I feel it is not enough if one person/terrorist organization is found guilty and punished. Every step should be taken so that no terrorist organization remains active through out the world. We have get deep into our human nature and see what things we are doing that evoke such negative feelings in other human beings. Not just individuals but governments have to look at their suppressive/aggressive policies and change their methods. 

I am sure everyone who reads might have felt the same. I would say, every human in the world feels the same irrespective of country, but being in the country we reside, we feel it much strongly. That is the difference.

As we wait for the events to unfold, let us firmly hope that such events do not repeat in any part of the world and there will be less terrorism in the world in next few decades.

Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu (Let every human being be safe and happy)

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