Special series on Irom Sharmila–Part-3
By Anjuman Ara Begum, TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: The Festival of Hope, Justice and Peace organized by the Just Peace Foundation (JPF) was inaugurated by Harsh Mander, Supreme Court commissioner on right to food and advisor, National Advisory Council, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA), Imphal, on November 2. “Sharmila’s struggle is unique in the world because it’s purely nonviolent in nature and she has sacrificed her life to fight for the people. I hope we will be celebrating hope, peace and justice together with real things and real peace and I am hopeful about that,” said Harsh Mander in his inaugural speech.
The year-long festival began on November 2, 2009 at the same venue and was attended by Mahashweta Devi, Ramon Magsaysay Award Winner. This year the festival also marks the completion of Irom Chanu Sharmila’s decade long hunger strike. Sharmila’s non-violent protest is to repeal the draconian law, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA).
Several dignitaries such as Prof. Lokendra Arambam, P. Subramaniam, former IPS, local civil society members and family members affected by the conflict were present. Several cultural programmes were organized and performed at the Dance Academy. The day’s programme began with traditional drum beats. Folk songs were performed and a painting exhibition titled ‘The spirit of Sharmila’ was organized at the same venue. A solo drama on the activism of the Meira Paibis or the female torch-bearer activists of Manipur was performed by Ojas S.V that depicted the life and struggle of Sharmila.
The Festival of Hope, Justice and Peace will be a celebration of the indefatigable spirit of humanity; a celebration of peace, justice and harmony; a celebration of the traditions and cultures of the North-east and its people; and a celebration of the Peoples’ Movement that had been ongoing for the last ten years, said a note released by the Just Peace Foundation. The celebration will continue till November 6, 2010 organising different programmes.
Special series on Irom Sharmila–Part-1
Special series on Irom Sharmila–Part-2