So Much To Learn From Suu Kyi

http://www.gulftoday.ae/portal/7c74a3fa-e9e7-4dfd-9c61-720029a502fc.aspx

Do not ask from where fighters in conflict zones are getting howitzer guns and missiles to fight. Do not sympathise with their hungry-looking disposition, and wonder from where they get strength to trigger heavy guns and artilleries. The thirst for power and urge to change the course of history written in decades-long humiliation and oppression at the hands of the ruling class justify their action – at least for them, but not for millions of mute spectators and innocent victims of conflict zones.

There was a time when wars were attributed to barbarians of the Dark Ages in the history of mankind. There is no difficulty in finding more civilised barbarians these days, who talk of ending hostilities and embrace peace dialogues to solve issues. Diplomacy has gone so far that it will end in decapitating someone who is found to be a threat to global security and society.

Amid these hypocritical dimensions, fighters as well as peacemongers are visually challenged to see the impact a fragile looking Asian woman has brought out for democracy to prevail in a tiny nation. Yes, it is Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar.

Myanmar is not far from becoming a democratic nation. When bloodless freedom struggles are rare in the history of mankind, she made it happen fighting with the junta for decades. She has proved the Gandhian way of a freedom struggle is possible even in the 21st century. Even the most patient fighter of the Indian freedom struggle had once urged his followers to resort to the “Do or Die” strategy.

But Suu Kyi, in her relentless fight against the powerful junta, did not even once go astray from her convictions. Luckily, the Myanmarese conflict was devoid of arms. Diplomatic efforts from powerful countries indeed put pressure on the rulers, but arms were not exported to the opponents in the movement. It shall be put in differently as the struggle for change is being led by a woman, chances for arms sale negotiations were nil.

People of Myanmar, the erstwhile Burma, which has participated in both World Wars, will always be indebted to this woman for her single-handed efforts to stick to a bloodless fight and protect its sons and brothers and fathers. Of course, Burma experienced the world’s longest civil war and so much blood had been spilled under military boots. Thousands were killed during the pro-democracy protests during the 1980’s.

But once Suu Kyi appeared on the centre stage of the fight for reforms in 1988, violence started disappearing from the streets and junta found in her the biggest, sole enemy. Her mode of non-violent struggle eventually made them change their mind and policy. They tried to silence her single-handed revolt by keeping her under house arrest. The rest happened before our eyes. After 15 years of house arrest in her political career spanning 23 years, she won the freedom to herself and paved the way for a more liberal Myanmar.

The torchbearers of all ongoing conflicts across the globe have so much to learn from this lady. But in a fast-paced world, all need speedy solutions to all problems. Fight for equal rights in a society is not a unilateral issue to be dealt with one gun or missile problem, it needs a united effort to stand for a common cause. And it demands a sacrifice of personal aspirations and patience to fight till the end result is obtained from the rival, not by force but by worth. Suu Kyi was able to place the junta on a shameful spot from where they could not go further in suppressing her. It was not just the sanctions from powerful states that made the military end their “hostility” towards her. But the sheer humiliation they found at the fighter’s non-violent, but dignified treatment of a military crackdown.

Mum is the world

When did you last meet your mother? Are you able to give her back all the affection she has showered upon you? Are you meeting all her requirements? Are you living up to her expectations?

These are some kind of thoughts that may come to all of us on a Mother's Day.I don't know when did we, the Indians, start observing a special day for mothers.But, mothers indeed need a special occasion.

We may blame it on marketing strategy for all sorts of days, from Valentine's Day to Father's Day. But they serve a big purpose to the society making all of us to take a break and think about all dear ones at least for a day.

My mother is no more. The years I have spend with her are still fresh and sure it will keep me moving on. Now, with a prick of conscience, I regret for not taking her warnings about her imminent death. Why did I so vainly believe that she will be with me till I grow old. Whenever she used to say about death, I used to tell her she will die only after my death in a jovial mood. She was healthier than all her children. But something was written for her and it happened.


But do we add an immortality to mothers than fathers? Do we take mothers for granted and wish them to remain with us throughout our life? Isn't it a selfish thought? I am not sure.But the impact a mother leaves upon a child,good or bad, becomes basis of an individual's character.

Though majority of countries observe second Sunday of May as Mother's Day, except January, July and September, each month has a day specially dedicated to mothers. The day may differ from country to country, but mothers all over the world have same heart that beats for the safety and well-being of their children.

My love to all mothers on this Mother's Day.

Let us not forget mothers wailing over their sons who are in war front; let us pray for those who are crying over their daughters who are fallen upon the hands of human trafficking rackets; let us wish all our men treat their counterparts with equal respect and care as they care their mothers; let us teach our kids to love all; but let us not fall short of condemning those who kill their girl child at their womb

Don't Make Me a Feminist

Today's women are labelled emanicipated and free birds compared to past generation. And the contemporary generation is enjoying the fruits of what they have fought and won for the posterity. But does plight of women has changed? NO. It is more or less the same.

It is not just because as some who blame it on women, who are averse to change, but men, who scares entry of women into his territory.

Even the most powerful lady in US, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has to say, "it is her wish to see a female US president in her lifetime."

What stops men from accepting and sharing his privileges with women, his other half.
Whenever I come across MCPs in job place, the first feeling will be that of frustration and despair for being born as a woman.

There were so many occasions, I just wished to be a man.
During my childhood, it was the wish to sit on roadside shops and chat like boys, who simply while away their time passing comments at girls.

When I grew up a little bit older, it was to roam around with friends till night.

But I was so lucky compared to my counterparts to go for movies or go for short trips to friends' houses and other places, though I was strictly asked to reach home not later than 7. Thanks to my mum who gave me immense freedom resisting the other members of family. The trust she has on me was, she was sure about the limits I might cross!

I am so grateful to parents of my friends , who opened up their feelings for me when they said, "If you are there, she will also come."

Is there no point in believing man-woman equality? Being raised up in a very liberal atmosphere where boys and girls are treated equally, I always loathe men who do not recognise women as a human being, and consider them ad disgusting as a criminal, who is a big threat to society.

But I realise, work place sidelining, just for being a woman, is hard to change until the respective organisations take some decisive step. I was so enthusiastic to join an organisation run by a woman,taking it as a big opportunity to work under a woman boss.But to see it controlled by men was a shattering experience. When novices floats on cloud noun for getting a role they could not even dream of, the experienced find it uncomfortable for not getting their due under such circumstances.There begins the birth of a feminist.Like the famous drama "Ningalenne Communistaakki (You made me a Communist)," attitude of "unfair sex" make me think like a feminist.Shall I scream "Ningalenne feministaakki."

Chivalry may be an outdated characteristic of men. No woman these days dream about her man to come like a "Highway man riding up to the inn door" but still expects a man to open door for her or give way for her to enter a train or a bus. Luckily,there are so many courtesy-showing people in this Arab country.The respect they show towards women, is really heart-touching and encouraging. If ever, I felt happiness and confidence of being a woman, it is because of this country and its male population.

Deep in their hearts, women of modern times, still like and respect such kind-hearted men.

But that feeling reverses when I remember how a colleague back in Kerala, whom I considered as a good friend, left me and my sister in the midnight darkness, while we were returning home from an assignment.That day I lost all the impression on an upcoming poet-journalist for his lack of consideration for his fellow human beings.May be he is afraid of helping a woman,for being caught in gossips. But as a woman, I expected a minimum level of decency.

A more shocking incident happened recently here from my fellow Indians.I was under false impression that time has changed the attitude of men towards their women colleagues. I am forced to change that view when I find new generation men united to show their reluctance to share their job with a woman even upon a senior person's instruction. Blame it on their upbringing and lack of confidence accompanied by jealousy.

It simply means men are not changing from time to time as women do.But I am happy with the egoists and MCPs, for they are the yardstick to prove my mettle at workplace:))))))))

It is written for Assad too

When it comes to strategy adopted to encourage regime change uprisings in the Arab world, from Tunis to Syria, the Western diplomatic measures wear an exhausted look.

“Pledging aid to meet humanitarian crisis,” issuing “deadlines” and “warnings” are high on its agenda to bring down the regime in Syria. Contrary to its tit-for-tat strategy in Libya and Egypt, the West and other nations engaged in bringing peace are moving on a slow track in Syria.

Compared to the eliminated despots like Saddam Hussein and Muammar Qadhafi or ousted autocrats like Hosni Mubarak and Ali Abdullah Saleh, Bashar Al Assad was lucky to get a time-taking approach. He was moulded in liberal qualities and values of life than others. And naturally, the expectation on Assad was more on embracing reforms within a very limited timeframe.

What do these tyrants smell like? Their wives are better to say that. Haven't they experienced nauseating smell of innocent bloods when they mate?

Assad continues crushing all dissenting voices with an iron fist and clings to power, obviously with the backing of two powerful allies, China and Russia, who took it as a golden opportunity to establish their platform in global affairs over the West and Europe reeling under economic woes.

The timing is perfect for all, except the common man, who is struggling to make both ends meet amid spiralling price rises and lack of opportunities.

Reacting to post-Mubarak Egypt, an Egyptian man settled in the UAE, on condition of anonymity said, “Now we could at least think about driving own car in my country. You know when Mubarak was in power, the poor became poorer and the rich grew richer. All the money was rested with the powerful politicians. Now there is hope.”

Hope for a better world, dignified life is the driving force behind all the revolutions that had happened across the world. Think about French and Russian revolutions; independence struggles in America and India; apartheid movement in South Africa, Palestine Intifada, people took to streets for human dignity and their rights. The pages of history were full of such fighting against unbalanced societal norms.

True, a spark ignited by Bouz Azizi, a Tunisian vegetable vendor, has gripped the region for a second thought on its way of functioning. Western nations who were looking for an entry into the region for an arms sale, which was set by an “imminent Iranian nuke threat,” seized the opportunity to spread its “democratic” aspirations.

In a short span, people frustrated by economic crisis and exposed to various changes happening across the globe embraced Azizi’s reaction for ushering in a new life. No doubt, he made them think. When traditional media failed to present an objective picture of realities, social media came to their rescue. The rest happened before our eyes.

Twitter and Facebook revolutions became real uprisings; and we became more unlucky than lucky to be part of a history being written in bloodshed – unlucky because even in the 21st century mankind is engaged in killing each other; lucky because it is not as brutal as those in earlier days.

Powerful modern warfare looks tender compared to barbaric methods of killing, but the casualty is more than in older days. The worst of all, sophisticated weapons could make anyone a bloodthirsty enemy to kill an opponent.

But now a laid-back attitude has come to the Western nations in supplying arms to the Syrian rebels and fanning out revolts. Developments in the coming days will say whether it is because of Assad or fear of being blamed for encouraging a never-ending conflict in the region.

Whatever, the West has fanned regime change movements in the region to uphold “democracy” in their oil hotspots. But, however hard they try to make the authorities accountable for the bloodbath in respective regions, how could the so-called advocates of democracy deny their hand in creating a history written in innocent blood?

When Arab Spring was going on in the region, an equal movement named Occupy was spreading across the US and other European nations. And it is still going on without bearing fruit. Nobody is taking arms in their hands in the Occupy countries except demonstrations and occupation of public properties. It is not so difficult to realise that the Western interests in the region are purely for springing democracies. Their levels of intentions are much higher than that.

So who are real warmongers – the one who supply arms and ammunition or the one who use them for self-defence?

Troublesome Morning

"Pareshan karte he ye bachen-" A Punjabi lady on salwar kameez complained to me, a total stranger, about her grandchildren. I smiled at her.

It was obvious she was looking for someone to share her momentary frustration.But she was all in smile and overjoyed with affection towards the kids.

I think like me,they too were returning after a brisk shopping.I looked at the kids.
One was drinking a juice and one playing with some toy and running around the pavement, the other one examining the waste bin and looked trying to learn its mechanism.While trying to empty the can,the juice spilled to the boy's face.Without wiping it off he rushed to dispose it in the waste bin.

May be their parents were at work. And the grandmother took them out. When parents themselves could not manage one kid these days, how could an elderly take care of three naughty kids. They were doing all mischiefs just near the road.

And I realised her next Herculean task will be to cross the road with those little ones. Somehow I managed to stop a line of vehicles, making sure that all kids were safe at her hands,we all crossed the road.

To avoid huge expenditure in hiring housemaids, most of the expatriate community bring their old parents to take care of their kids as it gives them more security and less tension. They find it safe to leave their children with the grandparents than someone hired. But, isn't it a cruelty towards the elderly who needs rest?

When the lady said, "pareshaan karte hain ye bachen(these kids are troubling me)" she was referring to her unruly grandchildren. But isn't it her own son or daughter troubling her by making her do a nanny's work?

Cosmic Balance

Humanity is yet to unveil two big mysteries-life and death.

Why are we born? Why do we die? Is it to die that we are born? Or is it written even before our birth.

As fatalists say,is mankind destined? When someone dies, what do we have to do then? Whether to mourn or accept the eternal truth? Puzzling!Puzzling!

Loss of a dear one is always painful. And it is a very personal affair too. We, the ordinary ones are lucky to mourn in our private thoughts and private circles. But when a public figure die, they pay the price for being a celebrity.

Hype over the death of celebrities is intolerable. The common man has the right to know about the death of their icons, but over-indulgence is unreasonable.

What is the need for day-long live telecast of celebrity mourning as if death is a unique event? Death is as inevitable as any other cosmic affair.

Everyone has to die one day, just to keep the cosmic balance, fulfilling our written role. Let’s make it more a private affair.

Dare to go alone

When it comes to free movement in Kerala, a woman thinks twice.Should I go alone or take the company of someone?

When media is flooded with all sorts of physical and emotional abuse towards women,cutting across all ages, majority feels scared of not just travelling alone, but even to go for shopping or to a cinema hall.

The other place you could see the entire family presence is interviews. It is an usual, but hilarious scene in Kerala, during PSC interviews, where women candidates are seen accompanied either by husbands carrying kids or mothers and fathers. I have written only one PSC test and that day I got a doubt-whom will they take to as body guards when they go for work?

Lucky, those who have someone to guide and accompany you everywhere. But that alone kills the self confidence of a person, be it woman or man. Self-sufficiency and independence are qualities that have to be nurtured, it doesn't come along with your genes.Sadly, parents in the name of 'caring' are over pampering their kids and raise them as good for nothing fellows.

Yesterday, I heard a woman lamenting about not able to go to movies alone in Kerala.I doubt whether the woman has ever dared to do so. Despite all bad news about Kerala men preying on lonely girls, I think it is high time women should dare to tread fearlessly everywhere instead of thinking too much about what will happen to us, what they will think, how they will treat me, if I do so.I am not belittling insecurity of women in Kerala as fear alone is the problem. But just try and feel the difference.

Reading and watching about all those negative stories about men and their attitude towards women in Kerala, I myself feel proud with pinch of surprise element that I have went to watch movies alone,not once or twice, but continuously for years. I never had a bad experience and that too between 1999-2004. But I have come across ugly experiences when we friends, all girls, went together for movies.

So it depends on all our attitude, put on a brave face.But if it was possible in early 2000, why it is not possible these days? Let the first move come from women.Let them shed their inhibitions and prejudices.And men will follow you, even if it takes time.