New Myanmar and India

British PM, US secretary of States, Chinese delegations, South Korean government trade delegation, Malaysian PM’s 50 top officials, 21 Thailand top companies’ delegation to Myanmar and so many other news show that ‘All Roads Lead to Myanmar’. All these countries and many more from all around the globe have suddenly renewed interest in improving trade relations with Myanmar. This is mainly because they all have noticed the emergence of true democracy in Myanmar and all those countries recognize geographical importance and business potential of Myanmar.

Indian government is also not far behind, but they should do so with much harder push. Traditionally and historically, Myanmar feels closer to India than any other nation. Buddhism is the strongest link between two nations. National epic of Myanmar ‘Yama Zatdaw’ is adaptation of Ramayana.  Land connection between North East States, i.e. Seven Sister States of India and Myanmar is of immense importance more to India than to Myanmar.  If the road link between these states and Myanmar is established at various points, then it would automatically lead to the development of Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. For a long time, there has been a talk about reopening of Stilwell Road, connecting Myanmar and India. China and Thailand already have good road links with Myanmar.

India mainly imports pulses and wood products from Myanmar and India’s main export is meat and Pharmaceuticals. The total trade is around 1.5 Billion $. India is capable of investing in agriculture, cattle and poultry farming, Engineering, mining, construction and power generation. It is the best time for India to enter into these sectors in Myanmar.  Myanmar also has good potential as buyer of weapons and military hardware and the country has been giving preference to India over western nations. Two nations must find means of trading without dependence on US$, Euro or Singapore $, as it is at present.

Myanmar population is nearly 60 million and GDP is $ 43 billion and nearly 3% annual growth rate. Myanmar produces very high quality sapphires, pearls, Jades and Rubies. Myanmar has huge deposits of natural gas, so much so that India is going to invest in construction of gas pipe lines between two nations.

The well established land link and good road transport infrastructure will open the avenues for trade with entire Southeast Asia having combined population of   60crs and GDP $24000Crs.  This opportunity must be grabbed with both hands.

40 years ago, India was instrumental for birth of a nation called Bangladesh. Today, India contributes only 12% of total Imports by Bangladesh and India has somewhat strained relations with Bangladesh. In any case, India must show great political will and acumen so that this emerging democracy can become very good friend, neighbor and trade partner.

Son, Can you help me Sit Up??

I answer to this call from my ‘80’ year old mother 4-5 times a day. At age of 80, she has very sharp brain and mind trapped inside her weak, old body.  When we sit with her and talk even today, she is a source of wisdom and advice gained by her, in past so many decades. She would recite prayers with such devotion that just by listening to those we feel that we are protected from evil and misfortune.  She would tell us different incidences in her life which teach us a lot of things. It has been always pleasure to be with this old lady and to share thoughts, to learn a thing or two and to laugh.

At the same time, looking after an old person is not an easy job. Though there is sense of love, belonging and duty in everything that you do for the elders in your family, it is not an easy task. This is more so if the aged person is not physically fit and is suffering from various health problems. The old person might find simple physical activities like sitting, walking or even turning in the bed very painful. He or she might need assistance to carry out normal body functions. Such person has, most of the times, lost interest in life and seldom gets truly happy smile on face.  And as a close relative, you want to do everything to make this old person happy, comfortable and involved in life. It is a tough call. You are fighting a lost battle but you have to fight on. You want to know the end point of the struggle but you try hard to keep the end point as farthest as possible, and at the same time, sometimes you pray to Almighty that let the end come sooner than later so that agony of your loved one ends.  It is not easy, it takes toll on your mind and health but one has to stick to the job and do one’s part honestly and with dedication.
At the same time, I thank God, that I am there, I am able, I am around , to answer my mother when she says , “ Son, Can you Help me Sit Up??.  I know a person living in ‘2’ bedroom 700 sq. ft flat in Mumbai. The person has a big pet dog. The pet dog is like his family member and is very well looked after, but that man’s father, a retired Indian army man died in old people’s home. I have friends living in US, Europe and earning big salaries which they multiply by 50 or 70 and are very proud of themselves for being very successful in Indian Rupee term.  They do look after their parents’ financial needs, but at an advanced age, money is the last thing old people are bothered about. At times, these NRIs also arrange for 24 X 7 maids for helping their parents, but they conveniently do blind eye to the fact that love cannot be hired. Some of them are happy with the fact that they have other siblings to look after their parents.  Of all the alternatives, this of course, is the best situation. However, for old people, one son or daughter cannot be substituted by another one.
Over a stretch of life that I have lived, I have learned the true meaning of a famous quote by Antoine de Saint Exupery, “There is no pleasure except in human relations”.  Family, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters form a tight well-protected circle. These bonds are like forces which keep you tied to the center of your very own universe. In reality, all that matters in life is one’s own universe.  There are people who sever these forces and throw themselves in unending open space. They shoot outwards and call it progress. In process, they lose connection with the center of their universe and call it progress until such time in the evening of their lives when they realize that it was not progress but directionless wandering.
I say, be there to answer when your beloved mother or father asks, “Son, can you help me sit up?”