Its one year to the Jasmine fervour that started spreading on January 14 last year to become a full blown spontaneous revolution engulfing the entire globe. Thousands again flooded the Habib Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis to remember and celebrate the mass gathering of January 14, 2011 that led the dictator of 23 years, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, to accept that his days were over forcing him to flee the small African nation.
The Jasmine Revolution that flamed the Arab Spring!
The Arab Spring that threatened the Chinese power elite of a Chinese Jasmine Fervour!
The Arab Spring that had a significant role to play in India’s anti-corruption movement!
The Arab Spring that created the spontaneous global movement ‘Occupy’ against the unabashed corporate greed and lobbying!
The Arab Spring that is giving sleepless nights to Vladimir Putin in Russia!
Hail Social Media!
Its one year to the absolute victory of the mass power of the protester on the streets of Tunisia that became symbolic to generate similar mass movements in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain; sent shock waves among the dictators of well-to-do despotic countries like Saudi Arabia to push for reform measures. Iran, China, Russia, India and many other countries witnessed the mass power of the protester demanding internal reforms in the respective countries. While Tunisia, Egypt and Libya saw the regime changes, the battle is half won in Yemen with Saleh still persisting despite an agreement to leave the country. The condition is horrible in Syria and Bahrain with mass killings being the routine events.
Its one year to be on the journey to the evolving body of knowledge and an associated body of ‘thought and thinking’ on use of social media as strategic tool in mobilizing masses for such revolutionary/change movements!
The road to reform is a long and strenuous one. The beginning note of a revolution may be of entirely different crescendo than the beginning note of the reform process that needs to originate from it. But the process has to be continued.
Reports say Tunisia’s unemployment has reached to the level of 40 per cent with stagnating economy. Tunisia saw losses of over $1.5 billion last year, a heavy burden on this small economy. Though transition of power has been smooth in Tunisia, the road to reform looks patchy. An Arab News column on January 14, 2012 says, “Last week, Ammar Ghars-Allah, a 40-year-old unemployed family man, set himself on fire in protest. His death was chillingly reminiscent of Mohammed Bouazizi's death that ignited the revolution in December 2010. Ammar's fate also points out that the vicious triumvirate of unemployment, poverty and despair cannot be realistically wiped out in a year. The naturally high expectations of ordinary folk were further raised by political campaigns that promised an unrealistically quick reversal of several decades of corruption and mismanagement.”
Condition is really pathetic in Egypt, Libya and Yemen while it is frustrating in Syria and Bahrain. China has suppressed it. India’s anti-corruption movement looks to fizzle out. Russia’s developments are still under the sheet. ‘Occupy’ has adopted its own structural flaws.
Its one year to the symbolic beginning of the process and the occasion has to been as the reminder to the next leg the fight has to be taken. Unless a revolution gives rise to the process of reform, it is a futile exercise for the future generations. The revolution has begun the process. The process, now, has to find its road to build a healthy future.
Celebrations in Tunisia in photographs (Sourced from the Internet)
 |
Photo courtesy: Reuters |
 |
Photo courtesy: onislam |
 |
Photo courtesy: Tunisialive.net |
 |
Photo courtesy: Euro News |