Divali crackers...

So instead of Christmas, the big Hindu holiday for exchanging gifts is Divali (also Diwali, Dipavali etc.). It's the festival of lights, commemorating the victory of some deity over a demon to allow a god-king to return to his subjects. To celebrate, they string lights everywhere (which is really pretty), and set off firecrackers (which adds more noise than needed).

All of it makes for a good time. Except this year. Some people attempting to spread terror, have detonated three bombs in Delhi. They were timed and placed to get the maximum number of victims. By putting bombs in public markets on the Saturday before Divali, they succeeded in getting a number of people who were out gift shopping.

The only thing is that Ramadan is almost over too, so Eid shoppers were out too. These terrorists didn't try to kill Hindus, they killed Indians of all stripes. I've posted my last email message below, for those who didn't see it. I'm fine, and was nowhere near it.

I think that at this point the odds of the Indians giving up on Kashmir are infinitesimal... Even if they were willing to before (they weren't), they would not dare do it now, thinking that it might serve to encourage or reward the terror. For those of you who thought that the Americans moved with a singular purpose after 9/11, remember that the Indians have been dealing with this for longer, and the fact is that they are amazed when I talk about Quebec and how some people want to secede from Canada. First they're amazed that anyone thinks that independence would solve any problems, and second they can't understand how this can happen peacefully. Their thought is that even if there was a referendum, there would be attacks on polling stations in pro-India areas to cause a revote, and lower turn out the next time.

I guess that the try-try again attitude of the PQ doesn't seem so bad to me now.

Here's that email... I have to run to catch a plane.

This email is to notify everyone that I am alive and well, was not hurt in either the bombings or the train derailment.

As a matter of fact, I didn't even know about these disasters until my mom called me from Mississauga to let me know. I was at my cousin's flat, and none of us there knew anything about it.

Security seems to be beefed up today. More people in fatigues carrying rifles around. I feel far less compelled to take random photos in case I annoy one of them. I'm about to go through security to fly from Mumbai to Bangalore, and I'm thinking that it's going to be a little more invasive than normal.

From what I know, the cops in Delhi have been passing around photos (though they don't post them on TV so that the individuals in question don't see themselves and hide), and they've been tracing some phone calls from the time of the bombing. I feel really bad for anyone who vaguely looks like those guys.

I'm off now to Bangalore, to celebrate Divali (or since, really I'll be with Catholics, to avoid the celebration). I just hope that I don't get dragged to church (if I do, I'm holding you responsible mom... I'd rather be shopping).

I'll post some blog stuff later, but if you all could check to to list, and see if there's anyone I missed, please let them know that I'm in one piece. The plan from here is Bangalore -- Chennai -- Sri Lanka -- Delhi -- Amritsar -- Delhi -- Goa -- Mumbai -- Delhi -- Home. Although I'd like to be taking a train from Bangalore to Chennai, they've closed an entire segment of the rail network around Chennai, so that doesn't look likely.

My love to all of you.