Burma's April Fool Election

By Manuwant Choudhary

Is Burma only fooling the world by holding elections on April Fools Day...allowing Aung San Suu Kyi to contest elections...and win...as the only way to better their economic situation and isolation.

Its heartening ofcourse that Aung San Suu Kyi and her party have won.

But they won an election 20 years ago also.

But yet...it was a unique election as her results were being announced by international media even before the counting process had begun.

She is a hero.

And when you lock up a hero for 20 years, you lock up an entire nation.

This is exactly what Burma's Generals have done.

I am not sure what they have achieved really.

And it makes me smile when they visit Bodh Gaya to pray (for their sins)

It is also welcome that the international media is being allowed into Burma finally.

Yet, the reports I have seen are too few and superficial..mainly aimed at getting their own TRPs up...but it doesn't even scratch the surface to see the real condition of the people of Burma whom Aung San represents.

International media have also been doing stories about how Burma is the hot business destination and why not.

But as a friend observed about the country's current status.."Burma is a museum!"

So one wonders who will go into Burma for business?

Will it be just the exploiters looking for timber and oil and gases?

Will Burma only have newspapers that carry the General's photos?

I think bloggers and campaign activists have done more to champion the release of Aung San than mainstream media.

A few have done so at great risk to their own lives like swimming across the lake to meet an imprisoned Aung San.

Aung San herself is a beacon of hope but she also reminds the world that democracy does not equal freedom.

A lot of work needs to be done...the people must be freed so that they may be able to pull themselves out of poverty.

So far Aung San's economic views are less known and its not easy to say how she will lead a country by sitting in the opposition.

But indiavikalp wishes her luck.