Media salute Delhi's spirit

India's newspapers salute the spirit of the residents of Delhi who, they say, have admirably picked themselves up after Saturday's bombings.

But there is also an undercurrent of anger - at the attackers for targeting innocent civilians, and at the government for not doing enough since the blasts.

The Economic Times sums up the mood in India's capital: "Shaken, not stirred. That's Saadi [Our] Delhi for you. And a big thumbs up to that.

"For a city that's witnessed pillage over centuries, Saturday's serial blasts should eventually go down in history as pre-Diwali whimper."

The Hindustan Times says Delhi woke up the day after the attacks "afraid, still shaken from the explosions".

"By lunchtime some people were brave enough to walk across to the nearby market.

"By evening, people were out packing the malls and markets. Delhi just won't be terrorised."

"No terror bombs can rock the city's senses too long," writes the Economic Times.

It is true that the markets were deserted but that, it says, was a matter of caution and by evening people were out on the streets in numbers.

Over the years, Delhi has been the historical site of great violence Indian Express

Some parts of the city, however, were in no mood to celebrate.

The Hindustan Times writes about how the Muslim-dominated old city was quiet ahead of the festival of Eid.

It quotes one shopkeeper as saying there was little point in celebrating at a time like this.

"It is the saddest festive weekend that I have seen in 58 years," he told the paper.

'Time to get angry'

The newspapers also hit out at those who carried out the attacks.

"Over the years, Delhi has been the historical site of great violence," writes the Indian Express.

"It has also been the natural target of those who wish to attack the idea of India."

But, the paper says, the attackers did not succeed.

This battle against terror must be won The Pioneer

"In that lies India's victory. The people of Delhi and its institutions rose as one in the face of the assault," writes the Express.

The Times of India says India's response needs to be strong.

"We can either dismiss what happened in Delhi on Saturday as just another in a long line of terror attacks on Indian soil or we can send out a hard-hitting, unambiguous message: that we are not willing to accept such outrages as part of our fate."

"This is no occasion," the paper argues, "to be genteel and 'civilised' in our response.

"It's time we got angry."

Echoing the theme, The Pioneer argues the government should have done more in the aftermath of the bombs.

"Mere words of sympathy could be no substitute for accepting responsibility and owning up to failure.

"By calling for restraint and asking people not to get carried away, the prime minister and his men mock at the memory of those who perished on Saturday or have been maimed for the rest of their lives.

"This battle against terror must be won, we cannot afford to lose it."

The Indian Express endorses this view:

"How much more evidence does this country need that it is in the line of fire?

"The resolve of terrorists can only be defeated if we display an even greater resolve to defeat them."