NextGen India Blog award to a post on Irom Sharmila by Devika Mittal
NextGen India Blog held Contest every month and the award for June 2011 went to DEVIKA MITTAL, a student from New Delhi, for her blog post Irom Sharmila – The "Iron Lady" of Manipur.
The topic of June's contest was: Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Irom Sharmila)
NextGen India is India's foremost youth blogging network. Through its network of young bloggers, contests and more, they represent the voice of the young India. With an idea that the youth has the power to bring about a change, they write about everything that captures the imagination of today's youth, with an emphasis on making a positive difference. For the youths can no longer able to bear with the torture India is going through right now.
In her blog titled, "Irom Sharmila – The "Iron Lady" of Manipur", Devika , even though being a student from the capital sees what the Leaders of one of the largest democratic nation has failed to see for the past few decades. Reading her blog reminds again that we are Indians too, for when a fellow sister feels the brutally………
She writes, "The act was passed in 1958(enforced in 1980) and was to be in effect for six months only but ASFPA continues to destroy the valley till date". She reveals to the blogging nation what AFSPA really is; the sole terrorism in the name of combating it. What do Army and Paramilitary forces do with AFSPA? It has led to extra-judicial killings, illegal detentions, fake encounters, rapes and torture of the civilian population. According to official records, since 1980, more than 25,000 civilians have been killed.
The blog further writes, "The Government argues that AFSPA is a necessary evil in the "disturbed areas". I wonder what is disturbing the state more… militancy or the army rule. The Manipur militancy revolves largely around development. The aam insaan doesn't want a different state, a different administrative unit. They do not understand these things...they only what bread, land and peace". What more can be added to this. The civilians suffer the pain when the Armies and the insurgents are having tea together.
The best part of her blog is the last second paragraph; I can't just stop reading it. She writes, "Racism…that's another aspect of "Incredible India". Racism is the answer to the "unity in diversity". The north-east people are called "chinkis". By calling them that, they are not even considered a part of India. But interestingly, when it comes to the cause of support for a secession struggle, the same people turn patriotic.
"North-east is an integral part of India", they will argue. Another problem is the demand to repeal AFSPA. There is a great reverence for the army and the army rule by people who see them only during republic day parades. "Soldiers are the reason why we are able to sleep peaceful at night", they argue".
If India really feels proud with her so called motto, "Unity in Diversity", her oarsmen really need to review this infamous AFSPA, 1958.
Award page - http://www.nextgenindia.com/this-months-contest/
Blogger Profile - http://www.blogger.com/profile/15109598283995881893
Blog Post - http://devikamittal.blogspot.com/
NextGen - http://www.nextgenindia.com/
* This is an edited version by e-pao.net.
This article was webcasted on July 12, 2011.
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