Woman of the Year 2009-2010

My vote for this year’s (March 2009 – March 2010) “Woman of the Year” goes to Suu Ki (Aung San Suu Ki), the exiled opposition leader of Burma who refuses to buckle under pressure from a hostile government and who has held her head high in the face of adversity; even when she was and still is confined to illegal detention devoid of even her basic human rights.

I have heard and read about Suu Ki all through my years of adolescence and adulthood and I always admired her grit, courage and ability to take a non violent stand for truth. She won a popular election in early 90s, but was detained illegally even before the results were out and she has been subject to regular house arrest since then. The “Junta” as the hostile leaders of Burma are called has braved international pressure and domestic upsurge from Suu Ki supporters to keep her in illegal confinement.

For me she is “The Lady of the Year” as she was yet again illegally detained by the Junta (after a brief period of being free of her house arrest) following what is termed as a “Trespassing incident by an International Journalist”. A westerner fearing her security swam across the lake to reach the house (uninvited) where Suu Ki was under house arrest. The man was arrested on his return trip and it is unknown what his motives were. On 13 May, Suu Kyi was arrested for violating the terms of her house arrest because the swimmer, who pleaded exhaustion, was allowed to stay in her house for two days before he attempted the swim back. Suu Ki faces up to five years in prison in a year when Burma is again going to election.

My heart goes out for Suu Ki, and I salute her for all the courage she has shown in her non violent struggle against an oppressive and illegal rule. She will prevail I’m sure and I look forward to a day when she will lead Burma and its citizens out of deprivation and an oppressive rule to an equitable and just society based on rule of law.