The Civil Society Submit 2010
Bangalore, 24 - 26 January
The tranquillity or disorderliness of a society is dependent on the relationship between the civil society and it Rulers. Just like the relationship between the King and the Queen bees on the one hand and their numerous offspring on the other. The offspring builds a hive in accordance to the directives of the Rulers. And they all settle together happily inside the hive with plenty of food, honey and in the safety of a secured shelter.
But this pristine peace is not eternal. As the offspring matures and assumes multiple roles, contestation and competition crops up. One tries to outsmart the other right beside the much coveted Couple. The harmony of the hive is disturbed. The inevitable intermittent fractional fighting leads to dilapidation of the hive and ultimately ruins the bees.
The role of civil society within a nation, much like the offspring bees, is enormous. They are the very back bone of the nation. The capacity to stand united by overcoming our narrow sectarian interest, by realizing the common good in building up a just social order and by our commitment to work hard to achieve this higher goal is the only way to bring about emancipation in our society. These virtues alone can make our dream of Justice - social, economic and political - come true. This alone can abolish starvation and poverty that has been chronically plaguing our society.
I am of the firm belief that it will also heighten Nature's Beauty. And Her Beauty will ultimately harmonise with mankind's well being. And in the same manner as honey contributes towards our well being and wax enhances the beauty of our cloths, an organically-evolved value-based civil-society can bring about a Civilized Universe wherein all our fundamental rights and basic freedoms can be realised in its true sense.
My warmest regards to each and every one of you who have contributed toward sustaining this hope for a just-world order! From the confines of my hospital bed in Imphal I wish the Civil Society Submit 2010 a Grand Success!
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| A copy of the original letter written by Ms. Irom Sharmila Chanu |
Ms. Irom Shramila Chanu has been on a hunger strike since November 2000 demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. The Act not repealed, she was arrested for attempting to commit suicide, detained in isolation, under judicial custody and forced fed for 10 years!
The context of this letter she was offered a lifetime achievement award by these Bangalore Civil Societies. The award was to be presented by Sri V Moilly the Union Law Minister. He is not an enemy of Sharmila and is one of those in Cabinet campaigning for its repeal or reform, the others being the PM, and the Union Home Minister and Home Secretary. If you are serious about publishing articles about Irom Sharmila and her satyagraha I can get one written up. If the truth matters. deziecoutinho@yahoo.co.uk But I assume you got this letter via Irom Singhajit her brother. I have no problem with his campaigning for AF(SP)A repeal. I do object to his threats against his sister, his lack of respect for women in general showed by his swagger when threatening any of her real supporters in Imphal and of course the specific threat of honor killing he made and has still to withdraw. I accept he does this because he has been a puppet for Babloo Longtoibam nephew of the DG Imphal Police. But I have yet to find activists who will condemn this vile but typically Indian conduct. So let me know if you are interested in the truth or whether you are with those who believe manipulating news is better if the ends justify it.
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