The mindless bomb blasts that claimed innocent lives in Jaipur, India, were carried out to create panic and volatility among those of diverse religious faiths, but the historic city and the country have held firm.
Tuesday's bomb blasts were a first in the Pink City, home to approximately 2.7 million Hindus and Muslims, and an important tourist and commercial hub in India.
It is not surprising that the forces working to destabilise the democratic fabric of the country chose to administer their deadly brand of violence in the city's old quarter, which sees a huge gathering of tourists and shopkeepers, but, notwithstanding the number of lives sadly lost and with hundreds injured, the main objective of their plot has been deemed a failure.
As India continues its march towards establishing its presence globally, the forces committed to derailing it from its objective are hard pressed to come up with desperate measures. Attempts have nevertheless been made and, in this context, the bomb blasts in Jaipur were the ninth in the country since March 7, 2006.
While the world gathered to stringently condemn Tuesday's actions the onus is now on the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) party to closely monitor their domestic policies vis-a-vis combating terrorism.
With parliamentary elections to be held next year, the contestants will use the economy and security of the country as bargaining chips.
The opposition is pointing at a process of ineffective central intelligence and the government's perceived soft policies towards combating terrorism. This could also be used in a bid to score points among the masses.
But for the moment it is amply evident that the country stands united, in deed and spirit, against the face of terror. And this action alone is a victory for the tenets of democracy.
