"Awaaz Uthao" - Anushka Manchanda on Mumbai terror attack 
By Joginder Tuteja, December 5, 2008 - 12:31 IST
It has been quite unprecedented if one has to measure the scale at which Bollywood celebrities are coming out and raising their voices against the recent Mumbai terror attack. Singer and performer Anushka Manchanda has turned out to be a torchbearer as well and is looking at doing much more than 'burning candles, lending a cry of 'Jai Hind' or 'Vande Mataram' and going back to sleep at home'. She, along with her friends who were also the pioneers behind 'Batti Bandh' initiative, have come together to create a web based platform called http://www.awaazuthao.com.
Purpose of putting together this platform is to support groups/organizations and citizens to raise their concerns in the aftermath of the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai. This would be done through an online petition formulated by people. The team is aiming at suggestions, questions and support from people further to which these voices will then be compiled and presented to relevant authorities.
"I am 24 and haven't cast a vote in my life (and never ever intended to till this terrible incident happened). However, in the last one week, I have been left thinking, what have I done for my country? I guess people like me are the biggest defaulters and the last thing we should do is just forward messages and assume that our job is done. Someone like me, who is educated and has means to make a difference should be doing something substantial", says Anushka in a choked voice.
This is what led to the creation of www.awaazuthao.com. "Along with my friends, we have pioneered this movement. In fact we don't even have our names put on the site because the intent here is to get one voice for one nation and its people. See, there are lots of petitions that have political agendas. However, in www.awaazuthao.com, we are looking at a neutral platform. Also, it is not just amongst celebrities that we are aiming at spreading this awareness. We are looking at college students and people from corporate houses to come forward and join us as well. In any case, we can't do anything individually", details Anushka.
On a personal note, is there anything in particular that Anushka is targeting at through this initiative? "I want awareness to be spread around 'Civilian Disaster Management'. Have the threats stopped? No naa?! Can we always expect the authorities to come forward to our rescue? Shouldn't every citizen be trained enough to take his or her own care when a disaster like this strikes again? So let's bring people together, compartmentalize all the anger and the energy and do something amongst ourselves to safeguard us from any more mishaps."
Getting emotional, Anushka appeals, "I suspect that two weeks from now, we all may go back to our normal routine. Let's not allow that to happen this time around at least. Let's keep the momentum on at least till the next elections, if not more!"
Summarizing her thoughts, Anushka pens down:
I have done something, but have I done enough?
I have changed, but have I changed anything?
I have asked my questions, but have I got any answers?
I wondered if I could really do something more.
Bring together One nation, One people, One voice! At www.awaazuthao.com
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