Having lived through the 1993 blasts more closely than most since I was trapped in my car when the bomb at Plaza cinema had gone off, I thought that life’s worst nightmare was over. But even that horrific event does not compare with what has transpired over the past two days. This really is hellish.

The 1993 blasts were perhaps more sinister for the sheer number of casualties, but this one is clearly the more diabolical. Back then, in some ways, it seemed like a `cause and effect’ syndrome, and that revenge was the motive. Now, however, what cause except to kill and cause mayhem?

Fifteen years ago, we were in many ways still `innocent’ about terrorism. We had had several communal riots before and since Partition, and obviously the demolition of the Babri Masjid had scarred an entire community living in the country. Yet, till the investigations began in that case, it seemed impossible that `bomb blasts’ were even possible.

But since then, we have lived through several such incidents around the country and the world – with 9/11 obviously a catharsis point in modern history -- so how come we still know so little about how these things happen, or how to prevent them?

At this point in time, I find no solace in the optimistic outpourings that have deluged us since the horrific terror attack began more than 24 hours ago. Let’s not talk about the famed spirit of Mumbai which has helped us take us take severe setbacks in our stride. This just does not cut ice any more.

It's not that the `Mumbai spirit' has vanished, but it is certainly under duress. The people of this city are scared, angry and bitter like never earlier. I reckon the fear will recede as people get back to their daily lives, but the anger and bitterness will linger much longer. This became evident to me at the marriage reception in Colaba on Wednesday evening when the siege began, and in office all of Thursday speaking to colleagues, answering calls from friends and strangers.

The apprehension in everyone is transparent, as is the seething anger at being reduced to such hapless victims. There are several queries thathave reverberated in my years from speaking to various people, of which I have listed the most frequently recurring.

1) How could terrorists sneak into this city into boats without any intelligence agency having a whiff of what's happening?

2) How come when something like this happens, the leaders who otherwise make the most noise, try to grab the most headlines, seek to create differences between people within the country itself, are never to be found?

3) If the Prime Minister and the government insist that there are extreme elements envious of the country's progress and always likely to indulge in acts of terror, why were no major steps taken to counter this?

4) How come the opposition leaders, led by Mr L K Advani, suddenly start singingpraises of the Anti Terrorist Squad and its head Hemant Karakare when till just the other day, they were maligning both for pursuing the Sadhvi and Purohit cases?

I know it is easy to hammer politicians, police and authority, but I suspect these questions are symptomatic of the `fed-upness' of the people with those who they believe seek to run their lives. The overriding sentiment seems to be: Enough is enough.

From this despair, however, could emerge the national strength and will to fight this menace collectively. The key action points to combat terrorism: are: Strong political will, uncompromising law and order mechanism, fine-tuned intelligence network, and a citizenry that is not divided within itself, whatever the provocations.

The last mentioned, in many ways, is perhaps the most crucial because it creates the platform for how the other action points will deliver. The onus is on us.