Food For Thought

Facing reality.......

A coup d’état is usually brought about by people who are convinced that they cannot acquire power through democratic means and / or those whose vital interests are mightily threatened without power .

Friday, April 17, 2009

Help!

THIS POST IS WRITTEN ONLY FOR THOSE WHO SUPPORT ME IN MY BID TO WIN THE MACHCHANGOLHI UTHURU SEAT.

I formally launched my campaign for Machchangolhi Uthuru seat this evening. When I went there, I went with mixed feelings and some degree of uneasiness as I did not know what kind of reaction to expect. After all, this is increasingly becoming a highly charged election and emotions are starting to ride high.

However, I was pleasantly surprised at the warm and genuine reception I received from the crowd of 200 or 300 people who gathered on Chandhanee Magu. I could feel the sincerity with which I was received. The people who greeted me were simple folk, and almost all of them were from the area. About 90% of those who turned out were eligible voters for the constituency. It gave me a sense of schievement as I could see from the interactions I had with them that they came there to greet me because they truly acknowledged the work I had done both in the Majlis and outside for Reform in the country. Many of them volunteered to work for my campaign, which was most heartening. When I shook hands with them, and saw the genuineness of their feelings, my confidence in being able to win this seat against all the political forces acting against me grew.

So for all readers of my blog who have supported me in my work, and more specifically those who support me for a seat in the Majlis, I have to say this : For the next 20 or so days, I need your help. You may not be eligible to vote in this constituency, but I am sure there is something that everyone of you could do; from a prayer to contacting people you know in the constituency, or if you are in Male', just drop into my office, as there is plenty to do. Hope to hear from you.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Deep Cracks

After 4 years of struggle for Reform in the country, we finally managed to bring about a regime change. Unfortunately, along with the change in government, many seem to have lost sight of what we set out to do : Reforming the country. We have become complacent again. I have said this before many times, and I say it again, deposing Qayyoom was not a panacea. The real work has to begin, before the new government and its supporters succumb totally to the head rush and ecstasy of power and privilege. History is rife with these examples.

The honeymoon is nearly over, President Nasheed. Time to face real life again. For a government which came into power on a platform of reform, the honeymoon can’t be too long. We have to start seeing some real Reform. Reform in Governance.

Continuous bashing of the previous government as an excuse to veil non-performance is wearing thin. As Bob Marley said, “You can fool some people sometimes, but you can’t fool all the people all the time.” We can’t expect the “getting-rid-of-Qayyoom-panacea” to be replaced by “the-five-promises-on-a-bed-of-roses-panacea”. Our society is cracking, has cracked, and we better do something quick before it disintegrates totally.

The economy is worrying. But there are more important things than even the economy. We live in a society which is headed towards a systems break. All the signs of this are there to be seen, only if we care to look in the right direction. Trends in the political arena are driving wedges (thick ones at that) into the cracks and festering the wounds. Unless we quickly take steps, however bitter they may be, to get the public to believe in the system and establish credibility in institutions, the situation looks to worsen.

That senior State Officials would declare blatantly on public television that the government has no intention to follow the Constitution says it all. That particular gentleman appears to believe that the last Presidential Election was a public referendum on whether the Constitution should be replaced by the Five Promises! Oh! God! I wonder what Thy Wisdom was when Thou placed comics amongst us.

After all, maniacs find relief in their lunacy. It gives them the opportunity to reject reality and live in a world of make believe. A world where 50 translates to 12.