The rattling of my window panes reverberates even today. For many in Sarojini Nagar, even after five years, a sound of a cracker brings back to memory the dreaded pre-Diwali blasts that rocked the market in 2005 turning the festive season into a mourning spell for years to come.

Why do I want to talk about it today?

Recently I walked into the market to get some clothes exchanged. I had two huge bags with me and no one checked for the contents. The security arrangements were nil, I am not even saying 'insufficient'. I understand that one cannot live under police surveillance always, but still, it could have been a mischief monger or a terrorist in my place! The market has not been decongested fully and the encroachments stay intact. Yes, at times there is a MCD drive to shoe away these hawkers but we as locals are aware that many officers merely take away fruits, vegetables, bags, purses, clothes from these hawkers for perhaps personal consumption.

Not only are the footpaths and the sideways occupied by hawkers but there is a big joke being played in the name of security. I just walked into the market and entered through the security check post. And then I stopped, talking on my cell phone, something was amiss for sure, I looked back! Lo! The security check post machine wasn't functioning! Now that is something. No security personnel around and then this machine doesn't even work. It is just a dummy one. Have these been installed there just to fool the terrorists? 

I happened to visit the same juice shop where the deadly bombs exploded in 2005 and it looked as if nothing had ever happened. The place is back in business, crowded once again sans the security. I wish I could show photographs of the high security stand that is supposed to be used to monitor activities in the market had once turned into a stand to hang beads and necklaces priced at Rs 10 each.

And it is as if you are waiting for the worst to happen. The very next day, our news channels were broadcasting the Pune bomb blast. How can we feel safe in the given circumstances?  Why is it that every time we need a reminder from the terrorist groups to step up our security?