Where is the God?

Has God created man or did man create God? This question has haunted me for a long time.

As I sit to write, there are about 20 people held hostage in a hotel in Bombay, by men who are fighting to prove their God is the real God. The families of these hostages are praying to their Gods, so they see their loved ones come out of the situation walking, rather than in body bags.

To think, that religion was created to bring man peace. Can’t remember the last time, it caused anything but war. Don’t know what the most intelligent creatures of this planet are headed towards, but the path is bloody.

Bombay is one of the most resilient of cities. It has faced more calamities than any other city, I can think of. I was present during two of these and was amazed at how fearless the residents of this city are. At that time, I felt they did not know how to react, but I know how to react, and I did not. The spirit is contagious.

It was an amazing feeling to be walking in shoulder high water for hours, in the middle of the night and find that you are not alone. There were people who did not get a full day of electricity in normal times. But, they stood at their door steps with candles, through the entire night, to show the way to stranded people. Their roofs were leaking, but they went out to help people through the flooded roads. The experience was overwhelming.

It was the day after the 7/11 train blasts. 7 bombs went off in 11 minutes, coinciding with the date, 11th of July. 209 people lost their lives, 700 were injured. We had a project to be piloted at work. Our clients had come down from the UK and seemed distressed by what happened. They were sure the project would never go live that day. Surprise! Surprise! Everyone who was a part of the project was present at work that day. I was sure, I would be the only guy present, and was pleasantly surprised! The trains were running on time, like nothing had happened.

We have another attack tonight in this God forsaken city. God, if he exists, seems to overlook this bit of land lying on the sea. But, come Ganeshotsav, every calamity is forgotten and God is praised for everything he never did… Lucky him!