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A quick history of events
Myanmar has spent the last five decades under the military rule and is known to be one of the most oppressive regimes in the world. That is counting North Korea too. The military has shut protestors by sheer force because the military junta enjoys absolute power in the country.In the face of such an ugly enemy, Aung Suu Kyi has shown us what grace under remarkable pressure truly means. Remarkable pressure because she has been under solitary house arrest for the past 21 years.
The facts that fortify her determination to bring democracy and give back power to the people again –
1. Her husband died in 1999 of cancer and she hadn’t seen him for the past 4 years. She was not allowed to see her husband’s deceased body either.
2. She was given a choice to leave the country for foreign travel – on a condition that she never return to her country ever again.
She could have left the country and lived her life in comfort in a foreign country, but she refused. She decided to stay put and fight for her people – even if that  meant staying in a solitary house arrest for the rest of her life.
She has had a life that impressed everybody – with qualities of an iron will and patience. The quality of patience she practiced for more than 3 decades –
1945
Aung Suu Kyi is born the daughter child of General Aung San, the commander who liberated Myanmar and brought its independence
1947
Her father is assassinated, which leads to her mother immersing herself into the Myanmar politics.
1960
Aung Suu Kyi moves to India in the footsteps of her mother who is the Ambassador to Delhi. She completes her high school education and graduation in India.
1964-1967
She moves to London to study philosophy, politics, and economics at the Oxford University
1969-71
Aung Suu Kyi moves to new York and starts working at the United Nations Secretariat
1972
Suu Kyi marries Michael Aris, a Tibetan culture scholar. They have two kids – Alexander and Kim
1988
Her mother falls severely ill, prompting a return to Myanmar to look after her. The country is in the middle of a revolution against the dictator General Ne Win.
This is when she makes her first speech supporting the revolution and condemning the iron fist of the Military.
The same year, the military suppresses the revolution with force – killing thousands – consolidating their brutal leadership as an absolute power.
Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King she founds the National League for Democracy (NLD) – a party whose values are based on non-violence and civil disobedience.
1989
Fearing her growing influence, the Military places Aung Suu Kyi under house arrest.
1990
The National League for Democracy wins the national elections comprehensively and understandably the military refuses to recognize the win.
1991
Aung Suu Kyi is awarded a Nobel peace Prize for her peaceful protest to make Myanmar a better place. She, however, is unable to collect the Prize because of the house arrest.
1995
She is removed from house arrest but every move she makes is monitored and meeting people is restricted.
1999
Suu Kyi’s husband succumbs to cancer and she is unable to see him.
2000
Is placed under a house arrest for the second time.
2002
Released from house arrest.
2003
Imprisoned again.
2007
Appears in public with protesting Buddhist monks.
2008
House arrest extended.
Appeals to the Supreme Court against her house arrest.
2009
The appeal is quashed by the Supreme Court.
Her house arrest has been extended by another 18 months.
Appeals again.
2010
Supreme court rejects it again.
The Military junta forces her party to break up. Aung Suu Kyi appeals again.
Burma holds its first elections in 20 years. The army’s pseudo party Union Solidarity and Development party win by a landslide.
The court order of her detention expires and her son is finally able to visit her after decades.
2012
Finally wins a seat in the parliament and becomes the leader of the opposition.
2015
Until now, Aung Suu Kyi’s party has won 90% of the vote and the military finally agrees to recognize any government that comes to power.
How is it significant? Why so much buzz around it?
A nation voted in the first fair elections in 20 years, that means they finally had a say as to who will govern them.
After decades of cruel oppression, the power is finally back to the people
Does this mean that Myanmar will be a better country now?
Yes, although the Military hold one-fourth of all the seats in the parliament. They may put a brave fight against sweeping reforms, but at least now, the civilians finally have a say.
Aung Suu Kyi is going to be the president?
No. She is not allowed to become the president because she married a foreigner and has children who have foreign passports.
But knowing Aung Suu Kyi – she will hold much greater influence than the President.
Aung Suu Kyi fought for freedom for a better part of three decades, spending almost 20 years in solitary confinement. She practiced Piano and French and Japanese to pass her time and to keep sane.
Her relentless perseverance and fearless attitude has inspired a generation and shall surely provide fuel for generations to follow.
#Respect
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