SHILLONG, Nov 8 � Having experienced a free society first time in their lifetime, teenage Mynmarese students are crossing their fingers that democracy would be restored in Myanmar after yesterday�s national election.
Elections were held after 20 years in Myanmar yesterday and some of the Mynmarese students studying here are optimistic that democracy would be restored finally in the �authoritarian� State after years of military regime. �We are positive that this time democracy would be restored in Myanmar,� said Tsawm (name changed), a student from Myanmar. She along with a number of other students from that country are studying in India and they are thoroughly enjoying the free society here and wishing that the same would be the case in Myanmar soon.
Tsaw, 20, idolizes Aung San Suu Kyi, and wished and prayed that the Nobel Laureate would eventually guide here country towards a free society giving equal rights to ethnic minorities.
Tsawm and many others like her belong to an ethnic minority group. They say that the military regime has been victimising their community for years and therefore requested anonymity. �We love to be here. It�s so free here in India�,� Tsawm said in an obvious reference to the stifling authoritarian nature of the state of affairs in Myanmar.
Another student, Zau (name changed) informed that employment opportunities are available in his country. However, due to the authoritarian military junta the country has not progressed to its desired level.
�We have companies which can employ us. But our foremost obligation is to serve and develop our own community in whatever way we can,� he said.
He informed that medical care in Myanmar is �very expensive.� Moreover, most parents are unable to send their children to schools and colleges as the cost of education is also expensive. �Only a handful of rich can afford health care and education,� he stated.
