By Siddhant Vora
8th March marked the International Womens Day witnessing the grand Manila Rally empowering thousands of women to gather and pose the scientific symbol of female representation. A woman has always been described as a full circle, within her being the power of creating, nurturing and transforming and this year, Indian media turned the spotlight towards the endorsers of herculean spirit among our women fraternity. Who else could have taken the lead in playing the partisan role of uniting the Indian spirit of will and courage but the Iron Lady of Manipur, Irom Sharmila Chanu.
The result of the polls placed her above iconic business women and female politicians. This goes on to prove the importance of a humanitarian outlook when judging the importance of a societal representative. So it is only apt to dedicate an article to this achiever and her relentless efforts.
Yet longing for life
though birth is followed by death
so fond of to accomplice
my desired mission.
These are the igniting words of this lady who has been on a fast for 13 years now continuing her fight to repeal the Armed Forces Act of 1958. Her protest stands against the uncouthness of the state and non-state actors in Manipur. She demands instant action against the martial law prevalent there as it has rendered the civilians of Manipur apprehensive of a lively sustenance. Repeated attempts to deviate her from her wilful path have been disregarded by her. She has once been called to Delhi to have her tried in the court charging her with attempts of suicide. But when your state has been wrecked by acts of violence culminated by over 40 militant groups, her answer may seem duly justified:
It is my demand to live as a human being. I love life. I do not want to take my life but I want justice and peace.
Another highlighting moment of her career is considered recent news. When the Aam Aadmi Party sent her whiskers of support to include her in their political campaign, she bluntly rejected the proposal. The camaraderie of civilization sustains only if the voice of the people is recognized and she is a staunch believer that if the voice of our leaders lacks weightage, the people then live in shadows. Living in a state where the only parties benefitting are the underground militant groups and the supreme crème leaders, one lady has taken up the baton of protecting the people who have been forsaken by state and central institutions. While we have the DG of police state that his officers had killed more than 260 people in 11 months insisting they were all terrorists, the arrest of Mr.Yumnam is another case of human right workers being silenced. Amidst the tumult is this womans unwavering commitment to a noble cause.
Siddhant Vora is an engineering student at MIT,Manipal pursuing the diverse field of Mechatronics. Being passionate about writing, seeking awareness and debates, it seems absurd to see the reluctance of few towards policy, law, economics and politics only because it does not concern their education domain. You may not be concerned, but these shall always concern you.