Published by Angad Chowdhry October 23rd, 2007
in Burma, Internet and censorship.
This reminds me of the time when Colin Powell made the speech at the UN concerning the war in Iraq. Picasso’s Guernica, which was displayed behind the podium, was covered. The official stand was that it distracted from the frame; however, as many commentators said, this was done to remove the possible interpretation of how the US bombing of Iraq was similar to the Nazi bombing of Spanish Villages from viewers (and history’s) minds. In covering it, the US made this reading - which would have probably been ignored if it had been uncovered - possible.
Do we not see something similar in the Burmese Junta’s shutting down of Internet communications? The little fragments of information that did manage to get through got elevated to a level of ennunciative power that would not have existed had the internet not been shut down. The poor Japanese journalist with his clicks clicking away as the soldier shoots him in the head, the floating monk through the water, Ko Hitkes smuggled statements, the very drought of images and statements elevated the existing ones to global, metaphysical, political, poetic proportions.
Published by Angad Chowdhry October 23rd, 2007
in Burma.
Err. So this is old news, but it’s nice how Iggy Pop and Burmese Generals get the same things thrown at them. Panties!
The group ‘panties for peace’ has said that since Burmese generals are so petrified of women’s underwear, believing that it saps them of their power, it might be a good idea to throw millions of them at Burmese embassies.
Are the Burmese generals really that terrified of women’s ‘panties’ that such a gesture would effect them? Sure, such a gesture introduces into our rhetoric another piece of arsenal about how these silly oriental dictators are so superstitious, you know, and have all these naive and old fashioned fears of feminine hygiene. But, what happens if this actually works? What if suddenly Than Shwe dies of a heart attack because flying panties come attack him in his sleep?
That would be so cool. Speaking of Panties and conspiracy theories, aint it interesting that the spokesperson for panty throwers anon. is another Ms. Hilton? Hmmm…
Published by Guest Writer October 11th, 2007
in Burma and Uncategorized.
This was at the candle light vigil organised in Guwahati on October 6. The next day some Burmese activists arrived in Guwahati coinciding with the visit of Mr. Pranab Mukherjee to the city. There was a meeting with “invitations” and a dress code where Mr. Mukherjee and Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia would address the gathering on “development” of the “Northeast” and opening up of trade routes with Southeast Asia. The media mostly covered that and inane questions of participants on tourism potential and grand plans of Dr. Ahluwalia to build more hotels and airstrips. As the Burmese activists made an innocuous exit in a cheap flight back to Delhi that evening, the minister and his entourage did not utter the B word even once. So much for India’s commitment to uphold democracy.
Published by Angad Chowdhry October 9th, 2007
in Burma.
Another update from Ben Hur. Some bits have been edited. Please circulate and share this.
1. Thousands were forced to perform a rally to shows their support on Junta.
2. Only 5 or less than 5 remain unconvicted/uncounted out of the 20 Sr. monks, who bravely led and innitiate dthe peaceful protest. [Where are they?]
# 1.Yesterday (8th Oct) Thousands of locals from several villages in Kalay valley, sagaing Div were forced to have a rally to show and shout slogans about their support on SPDC and it’s 7 Road map to Democracy.
The villagers from Letpanchaung, Cekan, Pyinkhunggyi were forced to participate atleast 2 members per family. They started the rally from Kalay Civil Hospital towards the heart of town. Most of the villagers in this part (Western part of the Chindwin river) are ethnic Chin. According to our source, the ten thousand civillians ‘particpated’ in the rally. The concerned authority had warned them that would face severe punishment if they disobeyed the order.
# 2. Till last night 7 pm, we got information that only 5 senior monks outh of the 20 who bravely led the protest.
Published by Angad Chowdhry October 8th, 2007
in Burma and Uncategorized.
Friends, another update from Ben Hur. The first one was published here.
1. Most Churches in Rangoon get close for the past 2 Sundays
2. In Rangoon, there is no strange on Recovering Un-identified bodies of peaceful protesters, as it was found everyday since the last 10 days.
3. The Junta announced that all trial (judiciary/ court case for all, including those arrested protesters) shall be done only in Naypyidaw (the regime’s capital city)
4. The Burma Junta accuse the exile news media as giving wrong reports on internet disconnection in the whole country, as the connection is working after 10 pm (Burma time). But it is learnt from inside that the connection is working and cut off again and again for a few minutes, it is like a decoration light blinking for Disco dance.
Published by Angad Chowdhry October 7th, 2007
in Burma.
In our aggressive dissemination of information here, at SMC, we have overlooked certain critical factors concerning mass media representations. While Matti and DJ did mention something concerning the ‘peace loving monk’ stereotype, we did not investigate these remarks further because of the strategical imperative to get as much information together as possible. However, Gabriele has made an intervention that puts together a slightly different picture of the situation. It concerns, primarily, the role of the global mass media in disavowing a historical complexity that would not fit into its Manichean narrative frames.
Pamphlets glorifying race purity and Buddhism and actually reinforcing anti-Muslim sentiments have been distributed since 2001 (i.e. Myo Pyauk Hmar Soe Kyauk Hla Tai or The Fear of Losing One’s Race). These inflammatory publications, preaching against the Muslim minority, as well as rumors spread about Muslims raping children in the streets, provoked a series of monk-led riots against Muslim families and the destruction of mosques. Muslims were killed and mosques destroyed, and again the Rohingya Muslims had to flee to Bangladesh.
Published by Angad Chowdhry October 7th, 2007
in Burma, Internet and blogosphere.
Found a project on a German blog [now translated into English] that represents how network integration, influence and protest mapped itself out in weblog communications over 7 days. Check here.
Degree Zero Blogging. I don’t know how many of you have seen this.
7 Oct 07, 14:30
Admin: The soldiers has arrested even the AIDS patients from Maggin Monastery. They also took everything from the monastery, including a sack of rice and locked it up. In another monastery (Chaut Htat Kyi Pha Yar Win - Thar Tha na Gone Yi), the soldiers beat up all the monks including the highest resident monk at the monastery and locked up that monastery as well. In military-run newspaper, the junta accused the monasteries of possessing pornographic materials, Literature from NLD (National League for Democracy) party, and headbands bearing a Nazi swastika or a US flag
Published by Angad Chowdhry October 6th, 2007
in Burma and guest writer.
Samrat Choudhury is an Assistant Editor with the Mumbai edition of Hindustan Times, and is currently working on his first novel for Penguin Books. He has reported on the Indian parliamentary elections and several state elections, covered the aftermath of the tsunami in Thailand and Sri Lanka, and presented seminar papers on Northeast India. This is his review of The River of Lost Footsteps. It was first published in Mint. He can be contacted through - samrat AT hindustantimes DOT com
A new Glass Palace chronicle
Thant Myint-U states his intentions right at the beginning of this book: it is, he says, intended as a guide to the Burmese past, “an introduction to a country whose current problems are increasingly known but whose colourful and vibrant history is almost entirely forgotten.” It is also an attempt to understand the present in light of the past and to bring history into the typically ahistorical analysis of the country’s current situation.
The story starts in 1885, with the last king of Burma on the throne. He is preparing for a war he knows he cannot win. The British army is advancing upon Mandalay, and his choices are limited. Egged on by his wife, Thibaw decides to make a last stand.
Published by Angad Chowdhry October 5th, 2007
in Burma.
This is an extract from an update sent by Ben Hur. I have edited certain bits out, for various reasons.
Hi Everyone,
Thankyou all for moving so fast. Here I am sending the latest situation in Burma (Up to October 04, 6:00 pm)
The junta has announced curfew since a week ago, the troops has raided many monasteries, they visited house to house around mid-night and picked up whom they suspected as the protest leaders in Rangoon, the former capital city of Burma.
Till today evening (around 3:00 pm Burma time) the Light Infantry Batallion No. 66 has seized two of the biggest monastery in Rangoon.
The ShweMaw monastery which situated in South Okkalapa township was seized around midnight. All 30 monks (Including the senior reverend monk) were arrested. A source, who is staying beside the monastery, said “It seems like the troops raiding a terrorists camp. Thereafter the blood stained monastery was locked and pasted the poster which mentioned it is strickly prohibited to enter”.
Around at 3 pm Burma time, the same thing happened at Maggin monstry in Tingankyin township, where all the monks have been arrested (not confirmed in numbers) but 9 Koyins (junior monks or monks below teenagers) were sent to another monastery.
Published by Angad Chowdhry October 5th, 2007
in Burma.
“What I am saying is that, no matter the regime’s physical power, in the end they can’t stop the people; they can’t stop freedom. We shall have our time.”
From My Last Conversation With Aung San Suu Kyi by By John Pilger
Published by Somnath Batabyal October 5th, 2007
in Burma.
No I am not trivialising the situation in Burma. It must be important to understand how, Hollywood , by virtue of being the biggest exporter and imposer of culture, understands Burma. Stallone has a long history of tackling pressing issues around the world, be it in Afghanistan helping the Mujahideen which his government now wants killed (should he not be charged under the Patriotic Act?), or beating up black boys in boxing rings and so why should Burma be an exception.
Read here for his new film on Burma and his take on the crisis.
One article from khonumthung news group, found here.
Irene Lalruatkimi, a freelance journalist, from Aizawl is sending in some stuff. Here is the first part.
Solidarity march for Burma:
In extending their support to peaceful demonstrations for restoration of democracy in Burma, Mizo Human Rights Activists and media persons, ‘Mizoram for peace in Burma’ yesterday held a solidarity march, at Aizawl.
More than hundred people gathered for the rally and shouted slogans in support of the peaceful demonstrations in Burma. According to our correspondent, this is an unique rally where recognised political party representatives and ngo’s participated along with organisers and refugees from Burma, holding on to the same faith that problems of human rights violation would disappear if democracy is restored in Burma.
Demonstrators passed an 8-ponit resolution where they said they strongly condem the military junta in burma for its attempt to suppress innocent civilians and monks who are trying to restore democracy and that demand that india, being the largest demomocratic country in the world must take strong initiatve action for restoration of democracy in her neighborng country, Burma.
They also urge the Indian Govt. to carry on inter-state commercial relatioibnship with Burma only when democracy is restored in the country.
Published by Angad Chowdhry October 4th, 2007
in Burma.
Ok - So today is International Bloggers Day for Free Burma. Thing is - we need to put up a banner that says Free Burma. The only caveat is that it’s a one day strike. Nice as that sounds, we need to get information out, so there is not time to strike for solidarity.
I. On the Ground inside Burma:
1) Protests in Rangoon: Today around 3.30 pm Burmese time, members of the ‘88 Generation Students swiftly gathered at least in two places — at Yadanabone Park in Mayneegone and also in East Gate of the Shwedagon Pagoda. We are not able to get the exact number of people attended to this event at two different places but they gathered to commemorate the deaths of heroic monks and people during the brutal crackdown of peaceful protests last week.
Some news from inside Burma that many people in Rangoon participated in ‘Silent Protest’ in which they switched off light and government run evening television program for about fifteen minutes in their subtle protest against the ruthless military rulers.
2) Raids and Suppression: During the continuing raids by the army on daily basis, at least in Yay-dar-shay Street, Bahan Township, one person from each household was picked up and taken away last night (02/10/07).
Published by Angad Chowdhry October 3rd, 2007
in Burma.
…on the Junta’s real homeboys. Heard it all before, but let’s hear it again. The world is full of hypocrites and liars. And how many naked people in a warehouse will it take before you sign a petition
Published by Angad Chowdhry October 2nd, 2007
in Burma and Uncategorized.
arrest-list-updated-30-sept-2007.xls
Download it from the link above. 344 names.
GANDHI’S BIRTHDAY, SGM DEMANDS INDIA SUSPEND OIL AND GAS INVESTMENTS IN BURMA
Despite Principles of Gandhi, India Continues Support to Military in Burma Through Lucrative Gas Deals
For Immediate Release
Contact: Wong Aung (Thailand) +66-85 032 2943; Kim (India) +91-9810476273,
Soe Lunn (Bangladesh) +880-1710939498
www.shwe.org
NEW DELHI / THAILAND, October 2, 2007 — As violent crackdowns on peaceful protestors continue in Burma, the Shwe Gas Movement (SGM) condemns the Government of India’s oil and gas partnerships with the military regime in Burma and urgently calls on the Government of India to suspend all oil and gas investments in the country.
According to Wong Aung, Global Coordinator of the SGM, “India’s financial support for the junta through lucrative gas deals and trade cooperation is integral for the regime to maintain its stability, and a stable junta is a violent junta.â€
The SGM’s demand comes on the birthday of India’s most revered spiritual and political leader, Mohatma Gandhi. The pioneer of satyagraha, a concept of mass civil disobedience against tyranny, and rooted in ahimsa, or nonviolence, Gandhi led India to Independence and inspired the world to speak out against injustice.
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