I returned from my quick trip from Assam to the news that militants had derailed a goods train back in my home state while two blasts rocked Mumbai, killing 45 and injuring over 150.

Some images from the incident today.

Mumbai has had more than its share of blasts this year. And all forms of transportation are being used to spread terror – buses, trains and now cabs.

The Ghatkopar blast happened in a BEST bus in July.

The Mulund blast happened on a local train in March.

With the teeming millions who throng Mumbai train stations everyday, these areas are particularly vulnerable to attacks. Train stations that have recently been targetted – Vile Parle (Jan 28), Ghatkopar (Dec 2, 2002) and Mumbai Central (Dec 6, 2002).

The city’s history of bomb blasts is increasing with alarming frequency.

The blasts have taken place on the same day as the release of the Archeological Survey of India’s(ASI) report on the Ayodhya issue.

Jivha writes in his blog: “Whatever the report says, whatever the group that engineered the blasts, whatever the political parties say – I’m clear about one thing.

Each and every person killed in the blasts today was killed by religion.

I think we should consider becoming athiests if things are coming to this in India. I don’t see much use for a religion at the cost of thousands of innocent lives every year.”

Jivha also links to this quote from A P J Abdul Kalam speech pre-Independence Day: “Let us for a moment pause to reflect what it is that for which we would like to be remembered for by future generations. Will we be remembered for how many mosques our generation has added, will we be remembered for how many temples our generation has added or will we be remembered for how many gurudwaras our generation has added? No, not at all. We will be remembered only if we give to our younger generation a prosperous and safe India, resulting out of economic prosperity coupled with civilisational heritage.”

A prosperous and safe India – we don’t seem to be much closer to achieving it.