Environment Day 2012.

Environment day is a special day for me.

"No Vehicle Hours (NVHs)" is one of several activities that were held to mark this years environment day in Maldives. The basic idea behind this activity is very simple; Nobody drives a vehicle between 1600hours and 2200 hours on this Friday.

I thought i would write this article to share some observations i made of the NVHs.

As i ambled down the streets of Mal'e around 1600hours today my first impression was that NVHs was literally a success. There were no vehicles. Instead there were people. Lots of happy people of all ages.

Moms relinquished their kids, who merrily hopped and skittered in the middle of the streets, that would otherwise be dominated by vehicles.

For once, i thought i had gone deaf. The constant chugging of engines, and the endless vrooms of the vehicles was replaced, by amused giggles and laughter of people who roamed around freely, trusting no vehicle would trespass and disrupts this brief moment of joy rarely experienced by the families living in Mal'e. Replace the paving stones of the streets with sand and the vehicles parked along the pavement with trees and the atmosphere of Mal'e would be almost identical to that of any island of Maldives.

Then I ran into a group of youths around a corner. They were garbed in black t shirts. I saw them only when one of them just pops out of nowhere, right in front of me with a two foot metal tube. He was shouting at another guy who was across the street. Cautious not to make eye contact with him, i swayed away praying not to be a victim of collateral damage if something bad happens: But only to come face to face with another scary young boy wearing a black T-Shirt. He could be no older than 18, with long hair and a bandaged arm.

This encounter suddenly played a flashback of news headlines in my mind:Murder of Bobby, Arham, many others and the attack on Hilath. I was suddenly grief-stricken to come to terms with how unsafe, and deadly the street of Mal'e has become.

After walking few steps away from them, I looked back to get an idea of what was happening. They were trying to break off the Dlock on an old Raleigh bike.

The "No Vehicles Hours" could be regarded as a success in an organizers perspectives.

If you ask me how effective it was I would say people who walked around the streets empty of vehicles were having a really good time, on just another Friday evening with their families. Only a Few celebrated the Environment day.

Humanity Lost?

Our nation is going through tragic times.

People are been slaughtered on the streets.
In front of dozens of people and on tape.

For this escalation of street butcheries Will we blame the police force, or will we blame the judiciary. Will we blame a former president or the current government?

I wonder when we lost Humanity itself.

Lastnight Hilath was knifed in the neck. His throat was slit wide open. Blood started squirting rapidly. He covered the wound with his hand and ran around, begging for help, pleading, someone, anyone to take him to a hospital. Until a while later, some brave guy, took him to hospital on the back of his motor bike, bathed in Hilath's blood, while others who witnessed the whole thing, fled the scene.

When we humans lose humanity, cctv recording fails, witness statements start contradicting, lawyers fight with their life to save murderers, judges make controversial decisions and politicians make funny and trivial tweets unceremoniously.

Meeting with the Crusader of Democracy

Photo Mauroof Khaleel

As the nation is headed for the biggest political rally in its history, I am not in the mood to talk about how the advent of democracy was abruptly disrupted, only three years later on 7th February 2012.

There is enough dismal facts, imagination driven wild fictions, and unconfirmed stories of the events leading up to extinction of Democracy in Maldives that would keep us entertained and bewildered, curious and cautious for ages to comes.

While the issue of forceful deposing a democratically elected president by a mutiny of factions from police and mndf, leaving the vice president to be his successor creates contentious room, whether the new government is democratic or not: without a shadow of doubt, police brutality is a universal characteristics of a dictatorship.

Just only 24hours after later it was evident that our nation has plummeted from a desirable democracy to the iron grips of a dictatorship on February 7, 2012. Brutal crackdown, unlawful detention, merciless beating during and in arrest, coercion and intimidation of the public and growing civil unrest that followed are clear cut indicators of the transition of power our nation underwent, overnight, from a democracy to a dictatorship.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet the former president at his home Kenereege. I was there on an invitation by President Nasheedh to meet the civil society and NGOS of Maldives.

Meeting with the internationally acclaimed crusader of Democracy at his home, surrounded by his former cabinet members and parliamentarians of MDP was one of the most inspirational moments I had since 7th February.

I thought of dedicating this post to President Nasheedh and all believers, supporters, advocates and campaigners of democracy. Below are some truly inspirational quotes of Nasheedh from the discussion we had yesterday.

On elections:
There momentum result and the impact of an election is ultimately a very decisive factor: which is primarily why people focus on ballot boxes. For instance neither our party nor any other political party can afford to be engaged in other activities that are unrelated to the election.
Even in most volatile political environments, even when a nation is under attack, or been bombarded if stability and peace is to be realized and restored then I believe we will have to resort to an election: the results of the election will and can ultimately decide the fate of that nation.
I believe that there is no time or environment that is not conducive for an election. What makes the situation conducive is also the call for an election.

For any reason we as a nation cannot afford to delay or not have an election. Without an election we cannot establish the legitimacy of this government. We will not join the current government. We also will relentlessly continue to pressure the government. So for instance I do not see without the representation of the membership of our party of how the government will appoint ministers and the vice president and ample of such other issues. So I do not see any other way than opting for an election for any political leader in Maldives.

On Police and MNDF

Police and mndf will only behave as they are instructed. It is very clear for us. They would only act as they are instructed or commanded. We know this from the past.

On revolution:

Revolutions are very common. For the international community and for diplomats it is nothing new at all. Only a few days ago a revolution in Thailand selected a new leader only to be ousted in another revolt. This is nothing new to the rest of the world. Only we are shocked, sad and worried.

On civil disobedience:

If we do not get an election we will be left with no option but resort to civil disobedience. I believe civil disobedience is a peaceful political activity. It does not incite violence. I would beseech from all Maldivians to join in the civil disobedience.

On Democracy:

I am not saying that I’m the best democrat. Neither I am saying that everything I do is in accordance with the best democratic principles but for us there is nothing more sacred than democracy. It is our firm understanding that there is nothing more we can achieve by forfeiting democracy. It is also our belief that if we forfeit democracy there is nothing we can gain. I believe if we give up on democracy neither we can achieve the development we aspire.

On Peaceful political activity:
I request all not to climb the areca palms planted on the street even to take pictures of the protest. I can see many journalist and photographer doing it. I request them no to do so. NGO, Reporters, Observers and political party representatives shouldn’t do that. We should not harm the trees. Neither should we vandalize a moto bike or damage any other property. I am certain without a shadow of a doubt that we can control our demonstrators. Tomorrow (17th February 2011) we will see the largest number of people Maldives has seen in a gathering so up to date. Yet we will be capable of bringing pin drop silence at times we need to so and we will make our voices heard loud and clear when we need to. We will be responsible for that, because we should be able and we will have that much control over our people. That control will be established through the mic, by rhetoric, not by batons and pepper spray.
Even if they hit, Don’t hit back. Do not retaliate!

ON the role of civil society:
I want you to be honest. To be sincere and to observe and report everything with honesty sincerity and integrity.
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I support today’s rally for democracy. Even it’s a political party and if its MDP that is doing it I am with them.

Photo Mauroof Khaleel

Thank You.!

Even though I am still trying to figure out what it actually means when they say "HAVE A BLAST" I am profoundly thankful to all my friends who expressed their kind feelings for me on my birthday.

I would like to dedicate this post to thank each and every single one of you from all walks of my life who greeted me and showed me your love kindness and affection. Knowing you, been a part of your life no matter how little is a wonderful blessing i celebrate every day.

The last year was one extraordinary roller-coaster ride, filled with amazing experiences and unforgettable lessons. It had its fair share of enough ups that drove me to redefine my limits and enough downs that kept me sane and human!

One of the greatest lessons i learned last year was the invincible strengths in relationships, the difference people makes in your life. I discovered in most unexpected ways the inert superpower one would possess when he is backed up with his friends and loved ones.

Now, more than ever i believe in relationships and growing old, and becoming a better person with them. I believe in virtues of prayer, honesty, trust, sincerity, love, understanding, forgiveness and compromises. More importantly i desire to practice it every day.

And how can I possibly forget to thank social networks and its astonishing ability to intertwine our lives bringing us together at all time. They make sure you never forget a birthday. Seriously it’s an amazing feeling to wake up and see all those red colored notifications on Facebook every morning.

In short this is my way of saying thank you!

MDP Primaries: The Aftermath

I for one was scared. I never liked primary elections. Its not that I am allergic to democracy in practice. Neither its the fear that the majority of the voters may pick a wrong candidate.

Nor it has anything to do with the fact that primary elections extinguishes the room for negotiation, consensus building and comprise within the party in deciding a candidate that is not only be favoured by few party hardliners during the primary, but also has the charisma and quality of competing, challenging and winning the seat for the party.

I have witnessed and experienced my fair share of primary elections, and on every such occasion I have seen the detrimental impact it has had on the party and its members.

I particularly have a personal attachment to the primary Ahmed Zahir Vs Ahmed Zakee, 2008 where the winning candidate was rewarded with the party’s ticket to compete for the Hithadhoo Dhekunu Constiuency’s seat in the Parliament.

Ahmed Zakee who lost the that primary was admired and backed by few MDP hardliners. The tension that developed between supporters of Zakee and Zahir due to Zahir’s victory had a devastating impact during the general election contributing to the loss of the seat to the opposition candidate.

Ironically it was those proclaimed hardliners of MDP who on every other occasion has stood up for the party through hell and high water (or pretended?), that carried out a successful covert anti campaign operation to fail their own candidate.

There are several other reasons that might have contributed to MDP candidate’s failure back then. Amidst it all, if I was asked to point out the single event that triggered the chain reaction that led to the failure it definitely has to be the incapacity of some MDP members to comprehend and follow the majorities call in the primary.

It was a primary gone badly and there cannot be a more perfect explanation for my fear of primaries.

For many, from members to future candidates the 2008 primary and parliamentary elections has taught an important lesson in an excruciatingly hard way, especially for the mdp member of Hithadhoo south constituency. As of now I do not doubt that they have learned their lessons well.

It was evident this past Monday. In another and new primary election by far the most number of candidates faced off for party’s ticket to compete in the first ever Addu City Council election.

On November 22, 2010 five candidates from Hithadhoo Dhhekunu Constituency, 4 candidates from Hithadhoo Medhu Constituency and 3 candidates from Hithadhoo Uthuru Consituency made a run for for the party’s ticket to compete in the city council election.

By the end of the day, when the all dust settled there was only one winner from each constituency.

Soibbe as expected won the Hithadhoo Uthuru primary by landslide with more than 80% of the votes. So much for the nescient and biased evaluation! The voters metaphorically protested with votes against the evaluation panel for their ridiculous blunder!

Even though there were four names on the Hithadhoo Medhu Ballot paper it actually was a vie between Hussein Hilmy and Shinaz. The remaining two candidates did not even make it into two digits scores.

Unlike Uthru and Medhu consnutituency Hithadhoo Dhekunu primary was the outrageously competitive.

While each and every member of the party has the individual right to contest in all sorts of election both internal and external, I believe this is an occasion where the MDP could have come to an arbitration involving the candidates. As far as I'm concerned I would not consider it as suppressing the right of members, but rather a civilized and proactive effort through dialogue and consensus, to lessen the inevitable segregation and conflicts among members that would surely weaken MDP after the primary.

From the five candidates of Dhekunu 3 are literally from the same family. The remaining two are close relatives. They have common friends and each candidate can easily match the (correct) face with every name of the 702 members enlisted as eligible voters.

Just few days prior to the primary election I got the opportunity to see campaign materials of many candidates of Dhekunun Constituency. To my surprise and dilemma it was ridiculously impossible to say who was leading. Almost all the candidates had an equal number of ticks on the voters list indicating their confirmed voters. More bewildering was the accuracy of their mathematics compared to the actual voter turn out of 395 when the results were announced.

What was evident from an initial analysis of the results of Dhekunu Ballot Box was that all five candidates have equilibrium of die hard supporters. While only one candidate was victoriuos and will be competing for the council seat it is absolutely crucial how those who failed direct and advice their supporters during the election scheduled for February 22.

During the night of election, in the emotionally provocative moment when the ballot papers were been bundled I was absolutely dumbstruck to see all the candidates of Dhekunu constituency sitting together for a coffee at Halite Restaurant. I don’t know whether it was a weird coincidence, a well orchestrated showoff, or just a symbol of unity and cohesion.

Later the same night when the results were announced all candidates joined their hands, with the winner Hussein Fahmy in the middle, on MDP Haruge Stage. One thing was obvious. They all shared a lingering tinge of bitterness from the 2008 parliamentary election and it was as if that history could be evaded from repeating.

But amidst the smiles, the handshakes, hugs and well wishes, if you look more carefully there was the slightest hint of cosmetic and concealed emotions: Emotions that could wreak havoc if unleashed, which not only will weaken the political strength of MDP at one end but also disintegrate the social fabric of this small community. And as I write these I have witnessed the bad omens realize.

And this is exactly where my fears lie.

In the end everything heals but the scars remain until once again even the scars are slashed and sliced.

All of this are symptoms of a new and growing democracy.

Photo courtesy: www.mdp.org.mv , www.facebook.com/sharough

Political Predictions 1

It is inevitable. Whether the president ratifies or rejects the relevant Acts its now only a matter of time before heart shaped atoll reverberates with the campaign songs and walls get tainted with paints of blue and yellow and colors yet unknown. The clock is ticking and soon we will walk in the shade of humongous banners on streets adorned with campaign pamphlets and paraphernalia.

We have seen elections before. We have seen how the faithful confidant becomes the treacherous betrayer. We have seen the vulnerability and fragileness of our commitment, character and even faith when faced with an ample financial temptation. We have seen the melodious tunes of extolment transforming to callous decries. We have seen the realities and possibilities concealed with utopian fairytales to manipulate innocent voters. We have seen the desperate candidates resorting to drastic and felonious measures only to fulfill their own thirst for power. We have seen all this and many more and we have seen it in elections.

Few months from now we are headed into the election of local councils. The excitement and alacrity has already started to set in. Campaigns though in various disguises have already started. We know our friends, and friends of our friends who are willing and gritty to compete for the island council and atoll council. Kudos to them, since they are about the exercise their constitutional rights!!

But I urge all the candidates who will be participating in the upcoming election to come up with pure intentions and good willed manifesto centered upon the fundamentals of achieving development and prosperity to Addu. My humble request to you all is not to become a puppet of the business man or the political party behind you. My appeal is DO EMPHATICALLY DENY the sinister philosophy that money is bait and votes are for sale.

We all know from the past elections we have had, the results have left us with guilt and regret. It’s time we change that to change everything else.

As you slowly walk into the voting booth, with a ballot paper in your hand and your index fingers stained in voting ink for a second forget everything. The smss in ur inbox, the songs resounding in your head, the whispers in you ears, the promises and hopes given, the recommendations of your parents, the demand of your boss, the suggestion of your friend forget all that. And just remember one thing. Your vote is yours and yours only. Do the right thing with it.!

This note was written on 19 May 2010 and was first published as a Facebook Note.

GREEN ADDU

I felt wonderful for been able to contribute and participate in the event held at Hithadhoo on the occasion of the United Nation’s World Environment Day.
For more than 3 decades the United Nation has been leading the world in celebrating June 5th as the day to ignite, inspire, promote, advocate, lobby and execute positive environmental action. And we too as a nation has been following it for sometime now.

Here in Addu We joined the UN and rest of the world in the universal occurrences to celebrate this year’s environment day with a beautification and tree planting program.

So did our president. He lived up to the appellation he acquired at COp15 as “Our global President” by planting a tree National Arboretum in Canberra, the capital of Australia. No matter where on God’s Green Earth he is, I do not doubt, that he would find the means and opportunity to rise up to the occasion and lead us and the world in greening the globe.

Even though our president (the international climate change campaigner and a winner of this year’s Champion of the Earth award) has explicitly stated that his true interest in environmental issues is a pure economic interest, he is the most charismatic environmental leader out there.

Before I got carried away mesmerized by THE ANNI factor in international environmental issues I would rather like to zero in on events and that took place in Hithadhoo. To begin with the tree plantation was not just another humdrum program with a high probability of failure. On the contrary it is the initiation of an ambitious project that is designed to make Addu the garden atoll of Maldives. This project is called Green Addu Project.

Green Addu project at initial stages maybe primarily focused on greening the President’s promised hosting city of the 17th SAARC summit. In the imminent days I’m expecting (and even working for) the program to be mainly fuelled by the NGOs in close association with the government offices, schools, businesses, and police. As planned if Green Addu project is bound to bring about Green Revolution in Addu then planting trees needs to become a habit in the grassroots.

From proletarians to politicians to from youth to local businesses, and from NGO’s to football teams, all need to play a proactive role to ensure that every vacant piece of land in Addu gets filled up with trees. Also in the new land use plan there will be green zones and carbon buffer zones allocated for trees to be planted. Business companies based in Addu can select to conjointly or solely, look after a zone of their choice and their own gardens in these zones. It does not only ensure sustainability but also would stimulate competition among different zones to be greener. I know that Dhiraagu is even now keen on to do this. Maybe Dhiraagu will call their zone GREEN TOUCH!!

I believe it’s of utmost importance to recall all who have contributed to the initiation of project Green Addu. As an ordinary resident of this atoll as a Maldivian I would like to extend my most heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the tremendous effort very many people have put into it.

First the very brave women of AWDI. Your daring and courageous attitude to go for that extra mile (to GAN on motorbikes in search of trees) is truly inspirational and a winner.

Some might call me I’m promoting Soibbe, the incumbent atoll councilor for his next term in office by thanking him and mentioning his name over here. But honestly I don’t care and I more than anyone else out there understand where my true intention lies. Having that said, I would like to thank Soibbe for been accessible any time anywhere and for never been out of reach during the whole process and I hope this virtue continues.

A very special thank to B-Tek Hussan. He dispatched his whole work force and their job for the day was planting as many trees they could.Call them “bangaalhees” call them “bondhus”, but sure they were nothing short of competent. Hussan was standing next to me in the inauguration ceremony. He told me that for events like this, he will endow with everything he has got to the fullest he possibly can. That is the desired spirit from every entrepreneur.

Thanks to Develop Addu and the team from CDE. You guys played a pivotal role from the planning to practically participating the action on the ground. Particularly I’m grateful for the environmental awareness sessions conducted for Muhibbuddin School students and Feydhoo school Students and I do not doubt that it’s an investment of the future.

Very many thanks goes to the volunteers from TakeCare. You guys truly care.;)
Collectively I thank every signal individual who has contributed to the program, even slightly, and participated in the event.

After the tree planting program I updated the FB with the following status.

“Dear Mr.President. I got to telll you. I missed you today.!! while you were planting trees in National Arboretum Canberra we too were planting hithi gis and reeth gis on this province office Magu. Wish it would be green and shady next time you come here.(in matters concerning the SAARC summit)”

Among others, my very dear and highly intelligent friend replied with the following
.
Ahsan Naseer :lol. you could have written this on his page. that might give a better chance of him seeing this :P (if you wanted him to see this)
trees were planted even before, many times. i wonder how many of them stayed as trees. Is it going to be any different this time? i mean will there be anyone looking after them, or check on them to do the least.

I would like to respond to your comment here as well.
Dude, first of all very many thanks for your comment. You know me better, and you know that I would have had no intention of showing this to the president. Then again here we are talking about facebook, you never know who glances at your profile ;).

Anyway that’s not the point. The point is,Yes. Countless times trees have been planted before. Even we have done it several times back when we were in school. And as for how many how many remained as trees? I don’t know. I would be exaggerating if I say none. As for me the whole point of starting over and redoing what has been done over and over again is to do it differently. I know, your concerns lie in making the greening sustainable. So are mine.

But as you know the challenges and hurdles ahead of us to do so are huge. We don’t get enough volunteers. We can’t find interested youth. Moreover the current cschooling system here almost forbids their students been involved in extracurricular activities except cadetship. Public anticipates a lot from NGOs but often refuses to work with them.

But what I know is we cannot wait to empower the society first, and then direct their energy to community development and volunteerism. Through activities and participation empowerment will arise.

Green Addu is an appropriate platform for that and this time I think change will happen.

Chances of Green Addu blooming are good.:)

My Thoughts on Hithadhoo Land Use Plan.

I have been to the Hithadhoo LUP public consultation session that was conducted few days back at province office by Dr Simadh and his team. From there I learned that the outcome of a well prepared LAND Use Plan portrays the infrastructural as well as the socioeconomic developments aspired by every small community like ours.

Of course! I do not doubt that technical competency and expertise of Dr Simadh's team in land use planning. From the delivered presentations by Simadh and his team it was obvious that a strenuous amount work has already been done in collection, analysis and processing of relevant data and information about Hithadhoo. Even if these prerequisites of the LUP are complete the fact is all of that is a small part of a much bigger thing. In the end, it’s the people who actually plan and the experts simply guide and do the paper work!

Having that said, from what I know it is safe to say that land use planning should be an iterative process consisting of dialogue between all the stakeholders involved.
In fact the dialogue with the land users and those who are consequently affected due to land usage is the fundamental component of the land use plan upon which everything else depend. This is why the modern day land use planning is called a bottom up process.

Thus, in the compilation of Hithadhoo LUP every effort must be made to ensure that the community, from the grass roots to every other segment of the populace is allowed and encouraged to actively participate in the planning.

An idea I have is that various targets groups should be enticed to submit each and every single idea that occur to them under a particular theme, regardless of how ridiculous or impossible it might sound. Then only the experts will put forward their technical perspective. After considering the experts opinion the participant’s consensus becomes the decision that finally appears on the land use plan.
I think this would not only evoke a sense of belonging and attachment to the LUP within the society, but also would result in the capacity building of the participants to plan in dialogue-oriented learning and negotiation process.

I’m not oblivious of the strategic approach that would be adopted by DR Simad and his team in the differentiation of stake holders and allocating various target groups. Despite that I would like to specify a very important target group whose contribution, I believe, would be of utmost importance in building a futuristic document with a validity of 25 years or so.

Yes! I’m referring to target groups comprising of students. Students with their virgin cerebrums can present visionary ideas with boundless creativity. Their vivid imagination often begins where an adult’s imagination subdues and we all know, though intangible, how much of an asset would imagination be for a task like land use planning.

Besides this, another cause for my accentuation for student involvement is, should the land use plan be implemented, it is they who are going to dwell and enjoy the planned usage of land in all its glory. So how they envisage tomorrow’s Addu matters a lot today.

As we all know a well designed land use plan does not simply result in widened roads and zoned infrastructure. While such a plan ensures that land use is sustainable, it also should provide us with a socially desirable, environmental friendly and economically sound living in which our culture and heritage is uncompromised. While these could be the ultimate objective of Hithadhoo LUP they are inexplicit. In fact it sounds like a tailor made statement of a politician. The answers to questions of what will be where and how in the LUP is where our curiosity lies!!!

On this regard I would like to articulate my thoughts on five aspects of the Hithadhoo LUP.

1. Housing: Housing in Addu and Hithadhoo can be like anything but it should be nothing like in Mal’e. The way I see it, Mal’e is developed under a conspiracy theory rather than a Land Use Plan. From the ideas I got during the Public Consultation Session, and form hours of research I believe we should go for residential zones with the proverbial “FLAT/condo” style of accommodation. I strongly reject high-rise apartment buildings of 25 plus stories that would corrode the scenic beauty and the admirable greenery. I think 6-7 stories building would be the optimum height of these residential FLATS/condos. Provided with appropriate rules and regulations are in place, I believe that this is not only the most successful modern form of accommodation, but also the most suitable form to our island. Moreover the residents living in these condos would have the delight of convenient and economical access to schools, supermarkets, clinics, food centers and recreational facilities.

2. Transportation: The LUP when implemented should result in widened streets in Hithadhoo. The roads should be safe for both the pedestrians, vehicles and the driver. It shouldn’t challenge the principles of physics as our link road. While the highest priority should be given to the safety of the roads, access to roads must be convenient and should result in economic transportation. If there is a necessity, required structural modifications should be brought about to the link road as well.

3. Agricultural Lands: In our quest to urbanization we should not undermine the significance of agriculture or farming. In the making of Hithadhoo LUP I believe a priority should be to protect the agricultural lands we currently have in kashinara, Maamendhoo and Koattei. Further lands should be allocated to accommodate projected growth for future agricultural needs. (special thanks to Ibbe on sharing his valued opinion of agriculture in Hithadhoo)

4. Open Spaces, Scenic, Historic and Protected Areas: During the session I mentioned at the beginning, Dr Simadh proposed a very credible explanation for the disintegrating social cohesion within the Hithadhoo Community. He said that the lack of open spaces where people could gather and interact under a routine manner is the main reason for the absence of social unity contrary to many other islands of Maldives. I believe the Land Use Plan should consist of hospitable open spaces that could easily be accessed by the people. They should be green and suitable for people of all ages. Zones must be assigned to include Scenic and Historic Areas as well as Protected Areas in the Land Use Plan. They would not only serve as a sanctuary for the local people who wants to relax and temporarily escape from the tension of life but also as probable income generating resource for the local pepole that would allure visitors from all over the world. At the moment this might sound like a utopian dream but the fact is its all possible, because god has already embedded these seductive natural beauties in the geography of Hithadhoo. I’m talking about the Aari Kilhi, the Eedhigali Kilhi, even Koattei and other such places (with names I know not of) we already have in here. Rather than exploiting it we need to exhibit it.

5. Recreational Requirements: I believe one of the underlying reasons for skyrocketing of juvenile crimes and vandalism is the deficiency of recreational facilities for youth in Hithadhoo. Recreational facilities would not only aid in the development interpersonal and intrapersonal skill of our youth, but also would help them to discover their innate aptitudes and physical development. Recreational facilities should not only be limited only to those Youth Centre’s that are been established by Youth Ministry. It should rather be extended to amusement parks, sports facilities like football grounds and basket ball courts, fishing piers, and platforms, swimming and wading pools, public libraries, and gymnasiums. I suggest that in the Hithadhoo LUP land must be allocated for these facilities where they could be easily accessible. If I am to address recreational needs on a broader scale I think a golf course at GAN and a Go-Cart-Track somewhere in Feydhoo would be a delight for many people.

The public consultation held at province office has resulted in lively confabulations amongst the people. Soon it has become a hot topic that everyone had an opinion on. The Facebook group specifically launched for the discussions on the LUP, called “Addu Land Use plan” clearly depicts how varied our thoughts could be. On this particular group people with adequate know-how on the subject, has posted recommendation, ideas and probable challenges that might be encountered during the LUP and its implementation.

If we set out to really change our future and to seek a city life like that of Singapore, here in Addu, the rudimentary component we need to have is a visionary Land Use Plan. After having it, in implementing such a plan the biggest challenge I foresee is neither monetary nor geographical constraints. It is not even government’s policy. It is our willingness. It is our ability to seek change and the courage to adapt to change. It is the bravery needed to forfeit a few meters of the land plot we have inherited for generations to widen the adjacent road. It is the bold and collective decision of our family to move from the acres of land we call home to a condominium. It is been united for a common cause and in the end it is the selfless sacrifices and compromises that would decide how we reap benefits of the land use plan for generations to come.

My thoughts on Maldives at COP15

Despite our nation’s miniature population of only about 300 thousand living on tiny coral islands that are enveloped in the mightiness of the Indian Ocean, we now have gained a global reputation: It is not due to the exemplary democratic transformations that took place a year ago. Neither is it due the natural exquisiteness of our island. But it is entitled to the vulnerability of Maldives to climate change and our nation’s proactive effort to combat it.

Especially over the last year, under the rule of our enthusiastic president Mr Nasheedh more than once we have garnered the attention of international climatic institutions and environmental activist from all corners of the world. While our president established himself as a trailblazer in climatic talks our nations has also become an inspiration to countries as varied as Barbados and Tanzania to Kiribati and Rwanda that are equally susceptible to climate change.

In this context one might wonder how a country that barely appears on Google Earth is making a constant and everlasting impact on Google News. The answer is obvious. It is sometimes ridiculed but often times the pioneering initiatives of our president that has resulted in global media uttering our nation’s name. From the audacious announcement of making the country carbon neutral by 2020 to the highly acclaimed and equally castigated underwater cabinet Meeting held in May our nations’ determination to set an example for other countries to mitigate and adapt to climate change has been depicted vividly.

In a two day conference on climate change on November 9 Mr Nasheedh has said that a group of vulnerable, developing countries committed to carbon neutral development would send a loud message to the outside world." He further asked an important question “If those with the least (pollution) start doing the most, what excuse can the rich have for continuing inaction?" A question that would only be answered at the COP15 summit.

President Nasheedhs annocunment, few months ago, that he would not be able to take part in COP15 climate summit due to domestic budgetary constraint too made international headlines. But as we know now with financial assistance from UN and European Union our president too will contribute in the making of a successor document to the soon expiring 1997 Kyoto Protocol. "Copenhagen can be one of two things. It can be an historic event where the world unites against carbon pollution in a collective spirit of co-operation and collaboration, or Copenhagen can be a suicide pact.” President Nasheedh has said.

The 190 country climate change conference at Copenhagen by many is believed to the most important climatic conference of the century that would potentially save or destroy the earth. If the countries participating in the summit could not reach a decisive consensus with comprises then the efforts expended by a lot of countries like Maldives and people like the co-founder of 350.org, Bill McKibben would all be futile.

The road to Copenhagen so far has been bumpy. There has been ups and down. Both at a local level here in Maldives and at a global level. The most recent been the leaked emails of Climate Research Chief Phil Jones of University of Anglia’s Climate Research Unit. Phil Jones Data that were manipulated and exaggerated on climate change and global warming has been the basis of climate change policies made my many governments and is one of the most significant aspects of the COP15 summit.

This leaves us with the question can our presidents innovative high morale approach to COP15 would be inspiring enough to produce a favorable result that would save our nation? Or is our nation is at any risk all along?


This article was written on December 3,2009.

Tommorown Abused Leaders

An article i have written on November 19, 2009, the World Day of Prevention of Child Abuse.

Today is world day of Prevention of Child Abuse.
In simple terms maltreating a child physically, psychologically or sexually is child abuse. Child abuse, it types, and the devastating impact it has on the most vulnerable of all; children, certainly doesn’t need an introduction to most of the Maldivians. As per ministry of family and gender, in the year 2007 alone 316 cases of child abuse were reported. This number is not only statistically significant but also downright scary in a country with a population of only about 300,000.

Often times these atrocious crimes of child abuse occurs behind their supposedly safe havens, in their very homes. This makes it extremely difficult for likes of Human Rights Activists, NGOs, Watchdogs, or even police to assist the innocent victim and vice versa. Therefore whenever a child is been abused whether you are a cognizant blood relative of that child or a vigilant neighbour it is your social responsibility to take the necessary steps of alerting the authorities.

One the occasion of this year’s world day of prevention of child abuse, Human Rights Commission of the Maldives held an awareness week which commenced on November 13, 2009. The slogan of the seven day awareness program “Prevention of Child abuse- My responsibility” emphasizes on the urgency of individual roles in safeguarding children from child abuse.

In addition to HRC awareness, The Gender Ministry is also working on launching a 24 hour help line especially for children via which they can report about abuse on their own. “Even adults can dial 1412, the 24 hour helpline and report cases of abuse” says Gender Ministry official Akram. Furthermore in order to provide the required counseling and physiological help in the aftermath of abuse, the ministry has signed MOUs with relevant NGO’s.

The recently ratified ,Child Sex Abuse (special provision) act is a milestone achievement and has ignited the flame of hope in the hearts of many. Under the act those convicted of child abuse faces 25 years of imprisonment. More importantly it ensures that the grotesque side of history doesn’t repeat itself. Because not all have forgotten about the “Naseem sir” incident and the ridiculous ruling on a case where a 12 year old girl was raped by four men.

The collaborative initiation by the government institutions, NGOs, and other concerned authorities to prevent the children of our nation from been abused is of utmost importance to our nation now. Because truly it is the children of today who will be the leader of tomorrow.

Abused Children today abused leader’s tomorrow.

talks on Hithadhoo Youth Centre

Hithadhoo youth’s appetite for a youth centre in Hithadhoo was somewhat satiated when the construction of a youth centre began few years back. Since then years have passed, a government has changed and hopes of youth have vanished, all for a palpable reason – when the scheduled completion date arrived and went, work on youth centre was incomplete.

Shary, Naanu, Hallu and I got the opportunity this morning to converse with the Youth and Sports Minister, Hassan Latheef, regarding the challenges and obstacles encountered in developing sports and recreational facilities in Hithadhoo. We chose the abandoned youth centre as the venue to meet, particularly to enlighten the minister upon the true state of the building.

Upon arrival I noticed three laborers native to Bangladesh indolently working on the site. They were chiseling away on a horizontal concrete beam in order to heighten the space allocated on the wall for a doorway below. An adjustment that was preventable if not for the inadvertence of the contractors has resulted in some costly consequences: cracks have developed on the wall.

From the time I spent there and from the talks that’s were exchange I have derived some inferences.
First and foremost I realized that the contractor has been really economical with the truth. He was audacious enough to assure the minister that all the work would be complete by Ramadan. “From what I have been told I believed that all the work would be complete by Ramadan. But upon arriving here and seen the place myself I don’t see a way it’s possible” the minister said.

More than 80% of the work is yet to be done. All that was done is erecting walls and hoisting roofing atop it. Apparently the date of completion proviso stated that all work must be finished by June 15. The contractor’s failure to do so made the ministry extend the due date for July 3. Further failure to complete for the second time resulted in a third date which would be due by Ramadan.

Another observation I made is that lot of works needs to be redone again. The slapdash engineering used is simply difficult to comprehend. Septic tank and pipes leading to it need to be re-elevated in order to make the lavatory usable. If not fecal matter will flood back into the toilets because the main pipe leading to the septic tank would be submerged in water from inside during high tide. Does this mean that the lavatories of the youth centre are designed only to be used in low-tides?

I don’t mind someone pulling of something for simply for its name sake if it’s falls under someone’s charitable act. But when it’s fueled by people’s money and dreams then I expect not only the promised output but also the promised quality.

My third observation was a bit unorthodox. Sports ministry contracted with one main contractor for the working on youth centre. Usually a contractor cannot hire a sub contractor without the knowledge and the consent of the client- in this case the ministry. Not only the main contractor hired a sub contractor, even the sub contractor has hired another sub contractor. It was the workers of this sub-sub contractor that were present today. It was either a mere coincidence or a well orchestrated portrayal that the work on the site began one day prior to president’s recent visit to Addu.

I asked for a defined duration of time by which the building would be complete. He said he cannot give. I asked again. He said “when I weigh in on the work that needs to be yet carried out, it is really difficult to give a particular time.”

However he did promise to look into the current status and to bring about the necessary reforms and to ensure that the work on youth center continues till it’s complete. If you ask me what me what we achieved today I have the same old cliché as an answer, “Nothing much but all talks and promises”. Then again when I think about it that’s enough for the moment.

Upon Naanu’s request the minister said he will look into arranging an appropriate mean to maintain the football fields of Hithadhoo and also to provide the people with a space to play volleyball and tug of war by Ramadan in the land allocated for youth centre.

As we left I heard Naanu saying to Aishath Rasheedha from the Ministry who has visited the centre once before,” I hope that third time you we will work out of here after the opening ceremony of Youth Centre”.

I wholeheartedly hope for the same.

Digital Citizens of Maldives.

Squinting through the thick lenses of his horn-rimmed glass at the LCD screen in front of him, and then shifting his gaze to the keyboard, Mohamed Ali was meticulously typing away. Oblivious of me, his 22 years old son’s friend, he was expeditious at what he was doing, even though only his index fingers were used to build up the entire conversation on a Live messenger window. Later I discovered that the Mohamed Ali was instant messaging his 56 year wife who is India for medical treatment. Both Mohamed and His wife Hawwa Didi can be called digital citizens.

The gap between those who can access and use a computer or more specifically internet and those who cannot is called digital divide. Since the introduction of internet, in Maldives, more than a decade ago in 1996 and due to the comparatively diminutive taxation of 5% levied on computer hardware this gap has lessened significantly. What this means is more internet user, or more digital citizens.

In this era of modern technology, digital citizens come from all backgrounds, profession and ages. Even the like of Mohamed Ali, who is linguistically challenged to use an operating system whose “mother tongue” is English, is no exception. I asked Mohamed Ali, how he has gained such a level of proficiency, in using Windows XP, and browsing the internet, despite the fact he cannot read English. “Well, it’s simple, Cant you see this picture next to every button over here?. That’s enough. Why do I need to know English huh?!” Sarcastically he said pointing his finger toward an icon on his desktop. Thanks to the graphical user interface adopted by Microsoft for its windows.

Still, out of sheer curiosity I asked him what he does with internet without English. Giving me a cynical look he said that there are enough Dhivehi newspapers online to keep him busy. “You cannot trust any one newspaper when it comes to political news now days. So I read it all online. I cannot imagine how my life would be without internet now.” A man who has spent half a century of his life, devoid of computers and internet now finds his life impossible without it. His granddaughter was sitting on a sofa chair nearby. With a laptop in her hand she was going Wi-Fi.

Internet’s versatility is almost infinite. For some, while internet it is a mean of escaping the boredom, for others internet opinion polls are a digital prophecy for things like predicting the next president. Over the internet everyone has something to do and that too with an extraordinary level of freedom. It’s an irreplaceable component which has entwined itself intricately into our lives. This is why it is not a bolt from the blue that Maldives is ranked highest for its internet penetration among the South Asian nations. It’s a great feat for Maldivians but amidst this newly found internet mediocrity many of us has forgotten internet is a double-edged sword.

Many Maldivians parents have a way of furnishing their homes with a computer just because their next door neighbor has done so. ADSL connections are installed days later to overcome the annoying demands of their kids. While some educated and informed parents maintains some sort of routine to check on the internet habits of their digital young ones, others simply don’t get enough time, or don’t bother to find out whether their kids are using the internet safely or getting abused over the internet. They are either too ignorant or unaware of the dark side of the internet.

Dark side of the internet is about nefarious act like child pornography, defamation, and copyright infringement. It’s about manipulation of useful features like anonymity as a shield by pedophiles. It’s about hackers stealing personal information and secret government data. It’s a place where people are blackmailed for their own self dignity. Even though no official data is there to support its, it’s an irrefutable truth, that internet have had detrimental impacts on the marriage lives of many when their personal files gets in the wrong hands. Can this be called digital divorces? These are not incidents that occur half a continent across, but within the small islands of Maldives.

The most frequent way in which the rights of many digital citizens of Maldivians are violated is by privacy invasion. Personal photographs, video clips, chat logs, and even voice call recording of many Maldivians, especially young girls, are exposed without their consent on various website run by Maldivians.

Many methods are utilized by deviants to retrieve such personal files. Stealing of storage devices is the most common and successful technique. Therefore extra precautions need to be taken, such as password protecting or encrypting the files, so even if the hardware is stolen, it would be almost impossible to obtain them. Some pictures posted on FaceBook were tagged as “these pictures are from a pen drive I got off the road.” This clear evidence the freedom the perpetrators enjoy is invading others right to privacy without the slightest fear of been detected, questioned or prosecuted.

Modern day breakups have an extra bit of pain and humiliation to it. Many of the explicit pictures posted, speak itself with a voice of betrayed trust and love and promises. Girls, who are the pride and honor of every family, now needs to be more cautious of how they treasure the intimate moments with their loved one.

Facebook, the social networking utility, has literally become discomfiture for many Maldivians. A face book group search for the keyword “bitun” result in about 56* groups which has usually girls and also boys photos posted on it. More often than not these pictures are personal and family photos acquired and posted on it by someone without the owner’s consent. Revolting is the fact that a whopping number of more than 23000* members have joined these groups. Furthermore they encourage and advocate these sinister actions by joining and remarking those pictures with atrocious and offensive comments. This aids us eventhough roughly in understanding the magnitude of this issue. It is of utmost importance to think about the image of Maldivian girls and the 100% Maldivian society that would be created in the eyes of many Facebook users from all regions of the world.

Vilest crimes of 21st century occurs over the internet. Most of us are equally susceptible to the dark side of the internet but the most vulnerable are the most innocent, the children and internet newbies. Preventable measures needs to be put in place as soon as possible. Government needs to deploy new laws governing internet and computer misuse. Internet habits of kids needs to be monitored, and guided in the right direction. It is the lack of relevant knowledge which results in most cyber crimes. Awareness programs needs to be arranged for new internet users on how to detect and dodge the dark side of the internet.

“Enemenah varah salaam..then mihaaru dhany” Mohamed Ali typed into his online conversation with his wife. Then he signed out.

Maumoon Matters

It was during the 2008 November election the people decided that the 3 decade of Mr Gayooom’s presidency was superfluous and therefore he shall be deposed. The democratic electoral process which ousted gayoom of stately supremacy was a double edged sword: It slashed the hearts of some into pieces while for others it was the heavenly glue that mended the scattered pieces of their hearts which has been fragmenting over 3o years.

Many political forecasters clairvoyantly, back then, predicted that Maumoon’s failure would result in the inevitable demise of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party. They also envisaged a “Maumoon-Free” political atmosphere in Maldives. They thought DRP would go astray like a motherless child.

On the contrary to the prophecies made, DRP transformed into a party that it never was before. In fact, DRP might now be the only true political party in the Maldives. Wikipedia defines a political party as a political organization that seeks to attain and maintain political power within government, usually by participating in electoral campaigns.

The above definition illustrates the history and the present of DRP. During its heydays DRP’s sole objective was to maintain their political power. When they lost their power and when Maumoon became the ex-president their revised objective was seeking to attain power again; to appoint Maumoon once again as the President.

Truly DRP has retaliated with a vengeance and have slapped on the faces of many on May 9. On that fateful day many were flabbergasted especially the reform minded anti DRP people. The composition of the parliament bears vivid testimony that DRP is back and this time was stronger than ever. Many still contemplates upon HOW DRP managed to secure 35 seats, significantly outnumbering the seats acquired by the ruling party MDP. It also raised another important question. How Strong is MDP?

Regardless of what we think Maumoon is still the most strategic, mastermind politician alive in Maldives. That’s how he ruled over us for 30 years, and that’s how his party tactically procured 35 parliament seats. That is also how he control 2 out of 3 powers of “trias politica”, the judiciary and legislature. The young, zealous and loquacious MPs of DRP reminds me of the suicide bombers of Al-Qaedha or Hamas. They are ready to die or kill for Maumoon. Last night we saw a hint of this truth inside Alivaage.

So, what would be the future of DRP without Maumoon. Will it continue its winning streak or will it take a plunge in a downward spiral? No one quiet knows.
But one thing is certain. Mau-moon is the sun in a blue galaxy called DRP. As long as the sun is there its gravitional force will hold all blue planets stars and asteroids together rotating around Him.

Maumoon’s presence or absence matters both to DRP or MDP.

Privatisation is good.

I consider myself lucky, for the numerous times I get daily to interact with people from all walks of life.
I love listening to their hopes and dreams of a better-off tomorrow for them and their kids. But heeding to their anxieties and despair isn’t much of a luxury. Moreover I know, in such an occasion my best effort to soothe relight the flame of hope in them doesn’t always pay off.

Recently a lot of people especially parents of have approached me both personally and via phone. They were filled with uncertainty and fear about government’s announcement of privatizing government school.

This post is dedicated to our parents. Dear Moms and Dads. Believe me. Privatization is just fine.

First and foremost, I agree with you. Transferring schools from auspices of the government to a private enterprise means you have to pay your hard earned money for your children’s education. We aren’t quite sure how much, but it’s certain we would have to pay and that’s something many parents aren’t used to.

It’s never tempting to forfeit what you have been getting for free and opt to pay a price for it. Wait just a minute! How much are you already paying for your kid’s education? Yes!! More than a majority of the parents do pay hefty bucks not to the school, but as tuition fees. I personally know more than a dozen of students who get tutored for 500rf per subject.

When I was a student, I yearned for air-conditioned rooms with multi-media projectors where the student to teacher ratio doesn’t leave any kid ignored or unattended. Seriously, how cool it would be to email my assignments to the respective teacher instead of carrying in all the way? I wonder how many papers and ultimately trees would be saved.

Moving on, do not be victimized by the skepticism that private school will have a debasing effect on the child’s discipline. For it’s so untrue. In fact integration of ill or favorable discipline into the childs’s character is not determined by whether the kid goes to a nationalized school or a privatized school. What bears testimony to this the reported cases of crime committed by student studying at government school, during and after school hours.

The presence of a responsible monitoring body in this case the government, will prevent privatized school or other institutions from squeezing out the wealth of the public. Furthermore, the laws and regulations they must follow and abide by will not only make the privatized school more regulated but also will make them accountable.

By proposing the concept of privatization the government is asking us to believe in something unheard and unseen by many. But let’s not forgot that there is a big world beyond our shallow lagoons and far across the oceans and there are countries which have been through this modern day experience of privatization and discovered it be very fruitful.

So privatization is good. Just have a little faith.

Dear Mr.President

As you would be aware, with the seven-gun salute, at 10:35 on the 7th August of 2008 a ‘social contract’ between the government and the people of this nation was officially sanctioned: the new constitution of the Maldives was ratified by the then president Mr Qayyoom.

True.
It was over insurmountable adversity, by hardship, sacrifice and the unwavering commitment of many heroes in countless ways that resulted in the materialization of the 2008 constitution. I am not oblivious, but rather grateful to the laborious effort expended for four years by the Members of the special Majilis.

I do not believe, what the people wanted back then was only a black white document with a green cover instead of blue. Rather I believe the people’s aspiration was to ensure non-discrimination when entitled to rights and freedoms with the liberty to express themselves. The people yearned for equality among all regardless of their personal, professional or political background.

The people sought to drink clean water and to eat nutritious food with access to proper Medicare, while their houses are lit with electricity and facilitated with a sewage system.
The people want not only jobs, but job security with reasonable wages and other benefits.

And the people got all this and many more from the new constitution.

Mr. President,
11 months after the ratification it won’t be utterly false to state that people’s dreams of a better Maldives, a paradise not only to the tourists but also to the Maldivian nationalities, is showing the symptoms of becoming true. Despite some controversial decisions made on the government’s side like decentralization it can be said that they have given a good attempt at executing the constitution.

Maldives attracted global attention most recently, with the achievement of Anna Lindh Prize by you.

Mr. President, you have brought the nation honor and pride. It’s a great personal as well as national achievement for you and for us, as the prize address two of the most critical issues of the 21st century, human rights and climate change.

In your new found glory, Mr. President, Please do not forget about the people. Do not be incognizant about their true condition.
As the head of the state, As the head of the government and as the commander in chief of the armed forces, Please uphold, defend and respect the constitution.

Mr. President.
While you were away in Sweden, tragic events have been occurring back in here. Small babies are been sexually abused and murdered, children’s are been gang-raped, and innocent people are becoming victims of gang fights. Crimes like this have taken the dangerous trend of amplifying with every new day while the root cause and origin is yet to be defined. More terrible is to know that police with their motto to protect and serve are incapable of doing their job, for whatever reason.


Mr. President.
The democratic recognition we have received internationally so far is only upon the basis of what’s stated in our constitution. The constitution might be the strongest argument of we have now in international front to state ourselves as a democratic nation. But what determines how much democracy is within the country, and what determines good governance is how much of the constitution is executed.
Been entitled to every other rights of the constitution is of little value, if the people are not delivered with the right of security, the right to live without fear of been robbed, raped or murdered.

Mr. President.

We still have the hope. We do have faith in you. And we are with you on the journey to “Aneh Dhivehi Rajje”. But for the moment, please deliver us the right to live without fear.

Thanks.

Sacrifice for Democracy, Rights, and Freedom

As I pored over fundamental rights and freedoms indited in the new constitution I felt as if I was basked in an ocean of tranquility. Lines from the nation’s most prestigious documents appeared to me as poetized verses inscribing a much desired yet a utopian dream.

After many decades I would declare that the people of our nation have once again started to believe in dreams. While the yellow kind is haste and genuine the blue kind is a bit slow and cautious when it comes to believing in dreams. The dream of which I’m talking here is no ordinary dream but rather a dream induced by the Maldivian constitution, whose characteristics are codified in the whole of chapter two.

Chapter two of the constitution of the Maldives talks about liberty, privileges and quality of life the people of this beloved nation has been desperately in pursuit of over an elongated period of time.
It talks about the mother’s dream of guaranteeing her offspring as well as herself and her husband nutritious food and clean water. It ignites an ordinary father’s dream of assuring his son an education from the same school where the son of a better-off farther studies. It entitles lover to be enlaced in sacred matrimony, and enjoy the privacy of their home, either acquired or inherited, which is lit with electricity. Furthermore it give a platform for the wrongly accused to prove his innocence and the culprit to be convicted through the means of an expeditious fair and transparent trial.

I know that those of you have read this fare might be contemptuously deriding what I have written above. If you are I totally understand your ambivalence. To a certain degree but not entirely it can be said that chapter two of the constitution is yet a legally warranted work of fiction, as the freedoms and rights stated it is only visible as text in black on white paper. It’s not visible in our lives.

Comparative study of the renowned “Aneh Dhiveirajje Manifesto” with chapter two of the constitution revealed to me one thing – the five pledges more or less falls under the chapter two, fundamental rights and freedoms. This could be an indication of government’s priority in delivering the people with their rights and freedom. I consider it as an excellent choice for (a) These five pledges are of utmost importance to the people and is within a defined time frame of five years. (b) During the process of delivering the people with the five pledges there are chances that other articles of in chapter II might consequently be executed. All in all we got a long way to go and we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Whether it’s an individual’s success or countries prosperity it takes time and dear sacrifices. The people of our generation could be referred as the pioneer citizens to whom belonged the green book. BUT we might not live to see each and every article in the green book materializes. On the contrariwise ours and few more generations ahead might have to make a lot of sacrifices for instance when decentralization and privatization revolutionizes Maldives forever. We have begun a dream that would be shared for the generations to come. Could we be called the sacrificed generations for democracy?