The world has been watching Egypt over the last 18 days ... TV channels have been broadcasting 24 X 7 trying to catch every emotion ...commentators have been excitedly giving their inconsistent insights, leaders of other countries providing unsolicited advice ... !!
Army tanks on the Corniche looking incongruous with their guns pointing at the tranquil, blue Mediterranean sea, slogans of protesters reverberating like thunder on their march through Horraya street, curfew timings having a new definition, neighborhood vigilantes securing themselves in the absence of police, a sea of humanity congregating at Tahrir square, an embattled President continuing to believe in himself, anxiety writ on many faces due to the uncertainty...these 18 days, was an Egypt I had not seen in the 10 months we have been here.
I was not born when India gained it's Independence in 1947. I had known and learnt about the Freedom struggle, only to score marks in my History exams. I had taken the word 'freedom' for granted. The British ruled India for around 200 years. During that period they contributed many positive aspects to India, which we still benefit from - the railways, the educational system, parliamentary system, our English literacy ....but it was the elusive "freedom" which made leaders like Gandhi and millions of other countrymen, to take the path of choosing who governs their society and their lives. It was the discrimination and the the enforcement of what suited the "government" and not the people, that made people revolt.
Egyptians felt the same - notwithstanding that President Mubarak had done many good things for Egypt (in war and peace, as the Military Chief saluted him in the speech after his resignation). But there were many things that was going wrong in the governance which the people did not like and wanted a change. The Egyptians wanted to live without fear, to have the freedom of choosing who and how would their society and their lives be governed - with a hope of a better future.
Whenever any Egyptian meets me and learns that I am from India, he speaks about 2 people - Amitabh Bachan and Gandhiji. When we came here first, I was very surprised that Egyptians respected and loved Indians so much. Their admiration for Amitabh is understandable, with movie downloads available at a click. But that they revered Gandhi so much had no explanation.
Egyptians are extremely warm and are peaceful by nature. If at a political, international level, they have avoided continued conflict by signing the peace treaty with Israel, at the grassroots level of the society, one finds them always without rancor or animosity.
They yearned for freedom - and as a society are very peaceful. Therefore the only way they could achieve freedom was if a Gandhi was in their midst. And it is this fact that explains why Egyptians intrinsically revered Gandhi - it was this latent desire in their hearts - it was hope, that one day, they will also achieve their freedom through a non violent revolution.
And it is precisely what happened. Because of their understanding and influence of Gandhian principles, it was not one Gandhi ....but millions of Gandhis that took upon to Tahrir Square. It has been sheer perseverance, determination and their faith in non violent satyagraha, that today, a peaceful, mass based revolution has been achieved.
Gandhiji has been in Egypt as much as in India.
And I am glad to have experienced the emotions of this movement, in all its hues, till the evening of 11 02 2011 (don't miss the palindrome). In fact, on hearing the celebrations break out after President resigned, I rushed out onto the streets (much to my wife's chagrin), to get a first hand feel of the happiness and exuberance erupting on everyone's faces. And it was a moment I will always remember.
I was not born in 1947. But during these 18 days, I did get a small feel of what Gandhi and all Indians would have felt on August 15, 1947. It was more difficult then, 25 long years of struggle, no 24 X 7 channels or Facebook to broadcast what they would have endured. And to succeed in those circumstances, specially against a government of different nationality, is exceptionally praiseworthy.
Today, I take a moment to salute and thank all those who participated in India's freedom struggle - to give us a life of freedom, of which we do not realize it's value.
God bless the people of the two countries and all those who believe in peace and harmony of humanity.
Army tanks on the Corniche looking incongruous with their guns pointing at the tranquil, blue Mediterranean sea, slogans of protesters reverberating like thunder on their march through Horraya street, curfew timings having a new definition, neighborhood vigilantes securing themselves in the absence of police, a sea of humanity congregating at Tahrir square, an embattled President continuing to believe in himself, anxiety writ on many faces due to the uncertainty...these 18 days, was an Egypt I had not seen in the 10 months we have been here.
I was not born when India gained it's Independence in 1947. I had known and learnt about the Freedom struggle, only to score marks in my History exams. I had taken the word 'freedom' for granted. The British ruled India for around 200 years. During that period they contributed many positive aspects to India, which we still benefit from - the railways, the educational system, parliamentary system, our English literacy ....but it was the elusive "freedom" which made leaders like Gandhi and millions of other countrymen, to take the path of choosing who governs their society and their lives. It was the discrimination and the the enforcement of what suited the "government" and not the people, that made people revolt.
Egyptians felt the same - notwithstanding that President Mubarak had done many good things for Egypt (in war and peace, as the Military Chief saluted him in the speech after his resignation). But there were many things that was going wrong in the governance which the people did not like and wanted a change. The Egyptians wanted to live without fear, to have the freedom of choosing who and how would their society and their lives be governed - with a hope of a better future.
Whenever any Egyptian meets me and learns that I am from India, he speaks about 2 people - Amitabh Bachan and Gandhiji. When we came here first, I was very surprised that Egyptians respected and loved Indians so much. Their admiration for Amitabh is understandable, with movie downloads available at a click. But that they revered Gandhi so much had no explanation.
Egyptians are extremely warm and are peaceful by nature. If at a political, international level, they have avoided continued conflict by signing the peace treaty with Israel, at the grassroots level of the society, one finds them always without rancor or animosity.
They yearned for freedom - and as a society are very peaceful. Therefore the only way they could achieve freedom was if a Gandhi was in their midst. And it is this fact that explains why Egyptians intrinsically revered Gandhi - it was this latent desire in their hearts - it was hope, that one day, they will also achieve their freedom through a non violent revolution.
And it is precisely what happened. Because of their understanding and influence of Gandhian principles, it was not one Gandhi ....but millions of Gandhis that took upon to Tahrir Square. It has been sheer perseverance, determination and their faith in non violent satyagraha, that today, a peaceful, mass based revolution has been achieved.
Gandhiji has been in Egypt as much as in India.
And I am glad to have experienced the emotions of this movement, in all its hues, till the evening of 11 02 2011 (don't miss the palindrome). In fact, on hearing the celebrations break out after President resigned, I rushed out onto the streets (much to my wife's chagrin), to get a first hand feel of the happiness and exuberance erupting on everyone's faces. And it was a moment I will always remember.
I was not born in 1947. But during these 18 days, I did get a small feel of what Gandhi and all Indians would have felt on August 15, 1947. It was more difficult then, 25 long years of struggle, no 24 X 7 channels or Facebook to broadcast what they would have endured. And to succeed in those circumstances, specially against a government of different nationality, is exceptionally praiseworthy.
Today, I take a moment to salute and thank all those who participated in India's freedom struggle - to give us a life of freedom, of which we do not realize it's value.
God bless the people of the two countries and all those who believe in peace and harmony of humanity.
FIRST BLOG POSTT!!! :D
ReplyDelete:O
I never thought of the comparison that way!
I like it! :D
yes its a wonderful comparison! I never thought of Gandhi or the Egyptians together, though I was aware of the fact that they revere him. I love the way you have used dichotomy to express your initial bewilderment about the happenings.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a coincidence that Gandhi actually woke up to the necessity of freedom while he was in the continent of Africa where Egypt is situated. It took 63 years for the idea to travel here (Its been 62 years of emergency rule in Egypt!)
Gandhiji ensured that there was a clear line of succession after the Brits left. The prospects in Egypt do not look encouraging as the armed forces have stepped in. Very rarely, if at all, the army has paved the way for a democratic government. I sincerely hope the Egyptian army breaks the trend.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if Gandhiji is the appropriate analogy to the current events in Egypt. He took some 30 odd years to win our freedom after he arrived from South Africa, can we equate this with a few days long civil movement?
You are absolutely right, Santosh. The future is uncertain - but isn't that true for everyone and every thing !!
ReplyDeleteHowever, Tahir Square did not get recorded in history as Tianamen Square II - and it is to the credit of all the egyptians - the people, the army, the government, that a peaceful revolution could occur. And that is commendable. I believe if the the desire is high and the spirit is willing, nature will find its way to give what the people really want.
The freedom struggle in India was in a totally different context and circumstances - I fully agree that we cannot make a direct comparison. However, it is the process of mass demonstration, a people's movement without violence, that brought about change is what makes it similar.
So thoughtful and touches the right strings..... I do agree that circumstances in India might have been different during independence, however, the fact that people have made a choice and have been successful by sheer strength of unity of the masses stands testimony to the power of the common man!
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