Arise ye true patriots

Not too far away there is a land with a leader, who has and continues to fight for his people and country against a foreign power 10 times more powerful. He stands with his people, defending them and proving that he is a leader worthy of being recorded in the annals of history.

On the same planet stands another, who devices ways and means to suppress the voices and power of people, not defending them but actually initiating action against them. Having undergone immense hardship, unable to bear up any longer, and having finally realised that the time has arrived for a change to be effected in the existing system, the people have spilled onto the streets, demanding that not only the government but the entire Parliament be sent home. Certain elements did fly off their tether, which of course is regretted and unacceptable.

Standing in kilometer lengths of queues for days on end to obtain essential foodstuffs and consumables, deprived of electricity supply for almost the entire duration of time that they stay awake, inability to indulge in their livelihood activities to keep their home fires burning among others, naturally makes it understandable that the masses would give vent to their feelings at some stage.

Politicians of whatever hue and colour, once ensconced in power, fail to realise that they too were born in this land, and behave as if the country is their personal property. They simply do what befits them and not what is advantageous to the citizens. Do they represent the people or themselves? The answer is obvious. They thrive on looting and plundering the wealth of the country and establish financial stability for several of their future generations.

The people are totally frustrated with the entire political set up and have no trust whatsoever in any individual or party. But the other side of the coin is that the people themselves have no idea whatsoever what should be done thereafter. The prime target is that the government and the entire Parliament should resign and that is understandable. But what of the country thence forth? How will it survive?

The reins of government should be entrusted to a group of intellectuals, to eminent men and women, who could be termed and considered as genuine and true patriots of the country, to steady the ship and navigate it to safer waters, until such time consensus is arrived at for a permanent solution. Our motherland is enriched with such personnel – there is no doubt about it. Their abilities should be harnessed for the sake of the present and future generations.

This can then be considered as a sincere request to such persons to come forward and volunteer to give leadership to a disgruntled population, who are yearning for their stability but are clueless about the next step to be taken.

WILLIAM OPP