Irom Sharmila : Touching the heart of a school child

Matthew Mata *

Irom Sharmila on August 30 2011 :: Pix - Bullu Raj

Dear Miss Irom,

My name is Matthew Mata, and I study in Legacy school; Bangalore.

I had and interesting start to my morning. Unlike most mornings where we'd be dragged to boring long classes or quarreling with the teachers over our homework or giving us a break; today we were introduced to the North-Eastern region of India.

The 1958 army empowerment act and a lady called Irom Sharmila. It really wasn't how we'd usually start our mornings or how anyone would want to.

A presentation and videos were shown to us on the crimes and atrocities committed in the region and then you were introduced to us in the form of a movie or short film.

Many of us became uncomfortable and tried to look away and when shown how you were treated and how the people of the North East were controlled and manipulated through this act. It truly sickened me at how people had no right to stand against this force and how they were treated when and if they did.

However even more sickening was that I could recall the killing and abuse of the people of the North- East of India and relate it to the Mai-Lai massacre that took place during the Vietnam war, in which American soldiers opened fire on innocent, unarmed civilians at the village of Mai-Lai even though there was never any signs of the Vietcong forces.

It is truly heinous that such atrocities or acts of mayhem still take place in the world today without any actual purpose or with the people the army sought to protect being the actual victims.

In truth I did not know nor care about much of India, or about the act or the lives lost from the creation, empowerment and abuse of this Act.

Of course this was not the first time I had heard of such abuse or corruption in India and didn't think much of it. It wasn't the first time someone from an organisation or movement had come to talk to us about an issue in our country; what is happening, who is doing what and what we can do.

Although this I cannot actually say how to stop or fight a situation like this, we would be taught to talk, discuss and share ideas on the world to help create a sense of unity and a means to understand the different variables to a problem; the different views and opinions.

But apart from that, I can't say I actually know how to stand up as one person against an idea or a form of abuse that not only could affect me but also an entire population or settlements.

History shows us wars, and boycotts, hunger strikes and marches, but I cannot say I have the courage, strength or bravery to stand out like you do for something you believe and as a way to fight for others.

I can only marvel at your bravery and wish that one day I may actually get a chance to talk to meet you in real life or be a part of something bigger than myself.

To fight for a better life, for myself and others; for a better future.

I almost feel sick with myself for believing that it is pointless to do anything; that India is corrupt and that there is very little one person can do, or the impact they can create. We would quarrel and argue over the stupid problems of our State and city; problems such as taxes, the condition of our roads, the traffic and the corruption of the law and police force.

Yet when people were actually abused, misused and killed in plain sight we would sit quietly and hope for the presentation to get over fast so we would not feel guilty.

Whether it is fear or oppression or motivation people don't actually want to get involved unless they are actually involved themselves, and have a gun shot at them or pointed at their family and loved ones.

I am grateful to say I have never been in such a situation and only hope I never have to; if the world lets go of such atrocities and if people do not actually learn to stand up and act I fear that one day my home may also be faced with similar horror and not matter how much I beg and cry for help it may not come.

I cannot marvel enough at your courage and strength; to be a leader or example to others to stand up even when pushed down by forces much stronger than you.

There are times when we are reminded of such bravery and strength and how simple many of our lives are in comparison to the millions suffering through the world.

This doesn't happen very often but today I can say I was truly moved and strengthened by your resolve and that I can still do something if not actually go on a hunger fast I can support you and others like you to fight for our rights and a better world.

I hope my letter gets to you and helps to become stronger and that you enjoyed reading it.

Matthew Mata,
Student at Legacy school; Bangalore

This letter was made available by the Amnesty International, India and was among the material submitted to the State Government during their recent vist to the State