Friday 19 June 2009

Rahul Gandhi - India 's Most Eligible Bachelor turns 39 today

Aang Saan Suu Kyi of Burma


Rahul is the son of Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi,
Buzz up!
Reports suggest that the celebration will be a private dinner, most likely with friends from his
Cambridge days and some old family friends. Rahul had apparently asked his partymen not to have huge celebrations and to visit Dalits and slums instead and distribute sweets. However, Congress workers gathered in large numbers at the party headquarters and state offices to wish their beloved lead all the best. Congress party has decided to celebrate Rahul Gandhi's birthday as 'Samrasta Divas' and hold the 'sahbhoj'. Rahul, who emerged as the key leader of Congress after the Lok Sabha polls 2009, will be joined by Sonia Gandhi in London. London is the favourite destination of PM in the making. Born on June 19, 1970, he is a Member of Parliament from Amethi constituency in Uttar Pradesh.
OneIndia New

Aang Sann Suu Kyi celebrates her 64th bithday

behind bars today

Campaigners across the globe are honoring the birthday Friday of Burma's detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The Burmese pro-democracy leader spent her 64th birthday at Rangoon's notorious Insein prison, where she is on trial and facing up to five years behind bars. Activists and politicians are marking Aung San Suu Kyi's 64th birthday with gatherings of support from Thailand to Europe and the United States.In addition, a coalition of 23 Burma rights groups has formed "64forsuu.org", a website where supporters can post messages urging her release from detention.Johnny Chatterton is with the Burma Campaign UK and Project Manager for 64forSuu.org. He says they have received over 9,000 messages of support, including from politicians and celebrities."I think the site is very important in showing that right across the world people have not forgotten her," Chatterton said. "And, that there's a huge political support for her and there's public support calling for her to be freed. So, I think it's a great help in showing the Burmese regime that they can't just get away with this and that the world won't forget her."Aung San Suu Kyi is on trial for violating the terms of her house arrest by allowing an uninvited American man to stay over without official permission.The trial has been widely condemned as a sham designed to keep her locked up through next year's controversial elections.Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party won Burma's last elections in 1990. But Burma's military rulers ignored the results and placed her under house arrest, where she has remained for most of the last 19 years.Burma's military rulers cite ongoing fighting with ethnic insurgent groups in the country to partly justify their continued grip on power.However, rights groups and exiled politicians say the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, along with more than 2,000 other political prisoners, is the real barrier to peace.Zin Linn is a spokesman for the Burmese government in exile."Aung San Suu Kyi is key to the national reconciliation in Burma," Linn said. "Without her, Burma cannot have genuine national reconciliation. That's because all the ethnic leaders, ceasefire leaders, all the ethnic party leaders, all dissident leaders, all the leaders, they agree to give their mandate to Aung San Suu Kyi to sit down at the dialogue table with the military junta."Aung San Suu Kyi led Burma's non-violent resistance movement for democracy, and in 1991 was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts.She is the daughter of Burma's revered founder, General Aung San, who was assassinated just months before the country gained independence.Paulo Pinheiro was the U.N. human rights envoy to Burma from 2000 to 2008 and on several occasions met Aung San Suu Kyi as well as Burmese officials. He says if it was not for her famous father the military government would probably have executed her by now."Because she has an enormous charisma and she is the only leader inside Burma of the opposition," Pinheiro said. "And, they don't want to risk having her in freedom. They don't want to deal with a strong opposition movement."Burmese authorities have already re-worked the constitution to ensure the military remains in power regardless of the 2010 elections.Pinheiro says it is almost certain the court will find Aung San Suu Kyi guilty, but would likely put her back under house arrest rather than prison.Supporters are concerned her health would quickly deteriorate in prison.But there is little doubt about the resilient spirit of Aung San Suu Kyi and the movement for democracy in Burma that she represents.
Remember to pray for the suffering Christians in Burma


8 Fertilize my soul:

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Amrita:)

This is a very thought provoking post.

While one man in a democracy is celebrating his birthday in London with all his friends(surprising he has no friends in India and he has to go all the way to London to celebrate. His mother tagging along with him). The party workers who worked hard for him will celebrate the birthday without him.
This is very strange but India is a democracy and every one has the freedom to do what they want.

At the same time in a country where there is military rule, the world famous Nobel Laureate Suu Kyi is celebrating her birth day in prison. Her family is in London but she cannot go there to celebrate. This is the problem of military rule. No one has freedom. Any freedom of expression will be crushed.

It is a pity the world powers are passively looking at what is happening in Burma and no worthwhile effort has been made to usher in democracy although people wan to live in freedom in Burma.

We can only pray of Suu Kyi and for the people of Burma.

It is surprising Rahul Gandhi is 39 and he has not married yet. I wonder what happened to his Columbian girl friend. She has siletly vanished.

Many thanks for the very informative post.

Have a lovely day Amrita:)
Joseph

ChrisB said...

A day of mixed emotions.

Felisol said...

We are praying for Ms Aung San Suu Kyi.
She made a very sympathetic impression as she received her Nobel Peace price.
She's looking so dignified and determined, though tired.
Let's pray for her health and for freedom for the Burmese people.
From Felisol

Sita said...

I appreciated Joseph's thoughtful appraisal of the two--very thought provoking.
And yes, Amrita, it is a reminder for us to pray for Burma..thanks again, dear sister..
Love, Sita

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

Hi Amrita -- hoping Namrita and Mother Hazel are doing okay today and always --

Gerry said...

Ann who writes Beauty in Art on my blog site posted the website for this imprisoned leader. I had heard about her but Ann told me more and now you have told me still more about her. I also think that the most eligible bachelor looks like a charismatic born leader. I hope he will be able to stay safe. Gerry

Amrita said...

Thank you dear friends for your comments.
Josephji your astute reflections shed a unique perspective on things. Its so true.

( You cerainly are not a fan of the Gandhi family it seems)
Rahul Gandhi is a democratically elected leader enjoying his freedom while Aung Saan Suu Kyi languishes in jail trapped by a dictatorial regieme.
I had a Burmese friend at the International school I taught in, she had escaped with her sister.

In our Bible College there are some Burmese students to.

Yes Gerry, Rahul Gandhi is a youth icon. His grandmother and father were assasinated - hope he stays safe.

Julia Dutta said...

Wonderful post Amrita, informative yet, just reporting like a true journalist. Loved it very much:)))
Julia