Think Before You Act

I will take you all through a journey from where I got an inspiration of "Think Before You Act"

After completion of my graduation, I was preparing for entrance exam for Masters In Computer Application (MCA) and I got what I dreamt of - admission in Gujarat University and college in Ahmedabad.

I spent glorious time as student life in Ahmedbad for my post graduation.

I experienced ragging in college and developed new crush in college. It was a new atmosphere and wonderful city to roam around. Those who have been to Ahmedabad will agree with me that is is wonderful city. Thanks to river Sabarmati flowing around city, it is bifurcated into two parts - old city and new city. where old city witness to history and incredible culture of Ahmedbad, the new city has a color is neck to neck with current international city standards.

A festive and vibrant city which left no stone unturned to celebrate-be it cricket match,Navaratri or kite festival and so on with endless celebrations.

By the way, I was staying in part of city which is called as New City.

Everything in life was going so well. Then suddenly, it all just came crashing down.

It was 27th Feb 2002, I was standing with my friend and preparing to go to old city area (Gandhi Bridge) to collect books. We were about to leave when my friend, Shruti, came and asked us "hey guys whats up" - I tried a lame joke and answered "fan", she laughed and told "not again" and seriously asked "I mean where you both are going?" We have answered that we are going to get books for us. She further asked, "are you going to city area?" We told yes - and to appear as gentleman, I asked if you want anything to be brought for you from city? There was a long silence after that and I and my friend were afraid that long list is about to come. The reply which she gave, made us completely blank. She replied, there are some issue going on in city, there was no clarity but still we didn't argue and went home to follow simple rule not to argue with girls.

We want for food and everybody was discussing about the train which was burnt in Godhara and how it will have adverse effect.Some students were also suspects, according to students who were talking, and according to them they left hostel as well. Students also mentioned that the study materials, bike and other stuff belonging to the escaped students were buried by the other students. It was just beginning.

Next day, when we went to college we were shocked to see bold letter notice board which was written "College will remain closed until further notice".

As a stranger to what happened, we were happy that we got a holiday in college and unaware of the scary experiences that awaited. In Ahmedbad, curfew was declared and all shops remained closed.

All mess, where students were having food, remained closed. Our PG (paying guesthouse) owner told he had food capacity for an entire month but restriction was imposed. We could have either lentils (daal) or vegetables and also on number of breads and amount of rice we can eat.

There were daily hawkers, tea stall people, laundrymen, who were earning on daily basis but suddenly they lost their income source as their businesses also remained closed due to curfew. But they were still taking risks and opening half shutter to keep shop open and earn something for their daily need and food, but they also got punishments for same.

We were feeling like prisoners in the PG accommodation. There was more impact in city area than where we were staying. We heard that people were throwing petrol bomb and stones at each other's homes. People were forced to relocate from their own homes. Humans were killing fellow humans, without any issues and clashes between them.

My aunt who was staying in Ahmedabad came to take me to her home to stay safe but I denied as my other friends were staying along with me and didn't wanted to leave them. My aunt also shared same story in New City area where people forced to stay on top of terrace to save themselves.

Situation was getting worse, and I observed that shops which were owned by other religion than people were burnt and also people were taking advantage of getting stuff which were thrown to help them. Even though we tried to stop, people went on and on.

One of my friends who was staying in city area - he mentioned that he was scared to come out of home to college because 1 out of 50 people was killed in stabbing during those days.

People forgot humanity and also rich or poor all people were coming in car, bike, scooter or walking and stealing things from shops which were attacked.

It was spread across Gujarat except Kutch district which observed earthquake in 2001. I thought whether this was only about few people who does all this for their personal gain, to spend money on these anti-social things?

Today Ahmedbad is developed city and may be a dream city for many people in the world but the black spot which it got may never go off even with brightness of anything which tries to cover.

Temple, Mosque, Gurudwara and Church divided God.We have divided lands and sea by borders. Now we should stop dividing people.

I am proud of the fact that I have friends across all castes, religion and creeds. I love them equally and would be ready to help them at the drop of a hat. Some anti-social elements can't win over 125 crore Indians, if we stop supporting them for anti-social activities.

I firmly believe that we are human first than of any religion and believe in concept of Vasudhev Kutumbakam (World is a family).

If we think before we act, it may change results for many. So I will leave this story to ask all readers will you think before you act ?