Indian MPs call to intervene in Burma's crisis

maltabella

Hi guys,
what is the mood in India about the riots in Myanmar? and what do you think about that? Is there any danger about a diffusion of the turmoil? Is anyone trying to help those pour people?
I am so sad about all this situation and I would like to receive as much information as possible...
thanks

batistuta

It is a very sad situation and the bravery shown by these monks and nuns is exemplary. In one of the newspapers, there was a picture of all the scattered Foot-wear, after the Protests were clamped down, Heart-rending.

There must be something done to this Miltary Junta, The question is who will do it.

Aishah

NDTV news is giving good coverage of this today - appalling situation.

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maltabella

we could start from here,
http://www.petitiononline.com/kha8954b/petition.html

Aishah

Good link, Maltabella!

maltabella

As I expected, here in Italy they are not talking of Burma any more... that's awful
come on uys let's keep the attention high!!!

birds

Yes, it is high time those crazy generals are kicked out!

There is another petition going which seems to have more momentum, it has now over 20,000 signatures but is aiming for 50,000. The link is: http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_b...p/?cl=20642656

maltabella

signed in,
thank you birds

Dilliwala

The mood is that we absolutely don't give a damn, so long as our cricket team wins a world championship (but not actually playing cricket); and our annual growth rate looks good on paper; and India Inc is doing well; and Western countries (a few) keep praising us - doesn't matter what, anything will do - becos otherwise our self-esteem wud take a hit; and we can download the latest ring-tones; or spend a few hundred bucks per person at the newest multiplex; or a few thousand at the newest mall; and we are spoken of in the same breath as the USA, EU and China; and OUR OWN people don't have to live under a dictatorship (been there, done that, didn't like it, voted the dictator out).

You see, we are not in the business of exporting democracy, as our foreign service will take pains to explain. Pontificating to Pakistan, yes, ACTUALLY PROMOTING democracy, NO! We prefer that the oppressed people of Burma sort out their own problems themselves, unarmed, against a heavily armed govt, becos don't tell anyone, we want to sell them weapons ourselves!, we need the money! , and besides don't we have enough of our own probs?
Sure, a few people here feel bad about the situation next door, but in a country of a billion plus, what's a handful? Not even a percentage point! And if our govt is totally silent on the subject it's just taking its cue from the people that's all - isn't that what a democratic govt does, reflect the WILL OF THE PEOPLE?????

And Madam Suu Kyi - well, what about her? Yes, great that she won a Nobel Prize and of course we admire her spirit and all that, and her family was good friends of the Nehru family and by the way did we mention that she went to school AND college in Delhi when her mum was the Ambassador?, becos that's something we never hesitate to quickly point out when it suits us, and u never know she might be the leader one day so better to keep our options open, heheh, doesn't hurt, and if she does (become the leader) then we will all (our govt reps) be rushing off to Yangon on the first flight avbl and hopefully get there before the others and be falling over ourselves congratulating her, AND reminding the world that she was educated in Delhi!
But speaking up now? A big no no, we wudn't want to upset the generals, wud we?

capt_mahajan

.. and besides, we have difficulty finding Myanmar on the map, so we don't know just exactly where it is

Nick-H

A great post, which says a vast amount about how India actually works.

Maybe that famous smile on India's face comes from the fact that most of the people DW mentions, that great electorate, switch the TV channel when the film has ended, and certainly don't risk watching any news.

What to do? Three-minute easy-to-watch news bulletins in Pogo (is that the name of childrens' cartoon channel?) might give the next generation an interest.

Cynics' Corner, eh?

People love to poke fun at the 'average' American's knowledge of the outside world: just try the 'average' Indian.

I was in conversation with an above-average-educated person the other day about Russia. My historical knowledge is pretty dim and dismal, but I know that the previous Russian royal family were herded into a cellar and shot, although I could not tell much else of the details. My friend was astonished to know this --- they thought that Russia had always been a communist country.

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shashank.aggarwal

and if someone actually intervenes we will quick to jump the wagon and say that things are going the American way !! what right do we have to intervene in internal policies of other countries !! Do we like someone else interfering in our internal affairs, however bad they might be...??

Are we forgetting that we have already burnt our fingers in similar situations in past, and any country with actually interferes in such situations end up as a loser !! why do we call US the bully !! The big Stick Holder !!

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capt_mahajan

At least I am not recommending intervention. But diplomatic and government pressure can be increased. Thing is, India's foreign policy is too US and Pakistan-centric.

China and its satellites are becoming untouchable in the unipolar world. Won't be unipolar much longer, though, if this continues.

nedhopkins

In addition to the motives Dilliwala cites for India's reluctance to intervene in Burma is another consideration: China. Beijing considers Burma an ally, if not a client state.

Remember how China 'punished,' or tried to punish,' Vietnam when Hanoi intervened in Cambodia to overthrow the Khmer Rouge's murderous regime?

If I were an Indian policymaker, I'd have China's unscrupulous behavior in mind.

maltabella

EHI Dilli ... I thought it was Europe...while...it is globalization, the worst one, the one that sterilizes our mind.
sad words guys, were the yours, but I still cannot bear the idea that these people are dying in front of a silent world.
I think that if governament fails in its policy, people must react raising their voices and making clear that what at the beginning could seem a foreign affair could easily turn into a national threat.
Yes, because does anybody ask himself, what could happen if all the burmese refugees in thailand (are there any in india also?)would arise? and what could happen if all the young burmese guys, instead of wearing the red robe of novices, would begin joining the rebels on the hills?(maybe the Shan or any other).
Maybe that time will be too late to intervene and the only thing we will be albe to do will be closing our borders and sayiung:"It's not my fault, I just won the world championship (soccer or cricket, it is the same)"