Column

There’s a new security threat in our world. A pair of shoes! And there’re a lot of lessons to be learnt from the incident of an Iraqi journalist throwing his shoes at President George Bush. For starters, Muntadhar al-Zeidi lost his shoes but gained so much in return - his 15 minutes of fame, marriage proposals and a brand new pair of shoes! This might inspire a million anonymous souls to reach for their soles! Last heard, Zeidi had the option to choose between Paul Smith or Canali shoes and Hugo Boss boots!

On the other hand, American secret service is now seriously considering updating their presidential security manual with a page on how to spot a shoecide bomber and devising split-second reflex action in diving to tackle a hurled shoe in mid-air!

Everyone agrees that this new security threat is just as serious as any terrorist attack, with its potential to embarrass governments and become the mantra of modern guerilla warfare with a modified Marx motto - “You’ve nothing to lose but your shoes!”

The effects of this shoe attack are already being felt in India. In a country where the average age of a politician is 65, it’s hard to imagine any of them being as agile as George Bush in ducking the shoe. Some of them have shown great agility in switching parties and loyalties but might not be as swift on their feet in the event of a shoe being hurled at them. What could be more embarrassing than being knocked down by a shoe on national television? Not surprisingly, many of them are heading for the nearest gym.

The National Security Guards have asked cricket’s golden boy Dhoni to share his wicket-keeping skills to help them stop or latch onto a flying shoe before it hits the target!

But how many shoes can be hurled in a country whose ex-foreign minister has the gall to say he’ll repeat the Kandahar episode and release a wanted terrorist again instead of having the grace to admit he would do things differently today? Or a cabinet minister without the dignity to apologise for his damning remark that threatens national security?

Or three dozen politicians who’ve reduced the Indian army into their personal security cordon..?

Under the circumstances, it’s heartening to be at a college festival to judge a youth leadership contest — and realise there’s a new generation willing to wearing the shoes of change!