Ukraine Burning: Peaceful Protests, Riot Police and Democracy

A demonstrator waves the Ukrainian flag as the riot continues.

Ukraine is boiling in the midst of anti-government protest and a river of blood flows at the Maidan Square where the Ukrainians are protesting against the government with clashes between them escalating. The Ukrainians are calling for peaceful protests but alleging that the government is using violent means to curb the protest. At this stage it would be a good idea to look at what has led to such a crisis in Ukraine.

An Orthodox priest prays between the police and anti-government lines.

President Viktor Yanukovych of Ukraine, who belongs to the Party of Region, had been promising the citizens that he was eager to sign an Association Agreement with the European Union that would create closer economic and political ties between the EU and Ukraine. Ukrainians were eagerly looking forward to the signing of this treaty. But Russia was not too happy with the prospect of Ukraine allying with the EU as Russia wanted it to join its own union. Thus, Russia started applying economic sanctions on Ukraine. Ukraine depend heavily on Russia for its supply of natural gas and oil and feared an escalation of prices. On 21^st November, 2013, President Yanukovych suspended talks with the EU over the agreement and signed a treaty with Russia by which Russia promised to buy a substantial amount of government bonds and subsidize oil and gas prices.

A banner mocking Russian President Vladimir Putin at the protesters' camp in central Kiev.

Tens and thousands of protesters, mostly students and middle class people, poured into the Maidan Square, which had been the center for the Orange Revolution in 2004 that had kicked Yanukovych from his then post as Prime Minister, to protest against the government’s decision not to sign the agreement with the European Union. President Yanukovych responded by passing ananti-protest legislation that prohibited the use of loud speakers, among other stricter measures, without prior police permission. Protests erupted anew in response to this legislation and the protesters started demanding a change in the political power structure of the government as they felt that a lot of power was vested in the hands of the President.

Protesters hurl Molotov Cocktails at the police, who responded with stun grenades and rubber bullets.

Riot police throwing petrol bombs or Molotov Cocktails at protesters.

Medics evacuate an injured.

As anti-government protests swelled and people started putting pressure on the government with the Opposition joining in, the President responded by ordering riot police to crackdown on the peaceful protestors at the Maidan Square. (This might have been President Yanukovych’s revenge for his ousting from power via the Orange Revolution in 2004 that had also started at the same place, the Maidan Square) This led to bloody clashes between the protestors and the authorities. Many have been killed and thousands injured with the government deploying truncheons, tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber bullets (some allege that live ammunition has also been used) to combat the protestors. But instead of subduing the protestors and their democratic zeal, this has only strengthened their resolve to seek a change in the government and the power structure of their country. Even though the Ukrainian government, including Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, resigned on 28^th January, 2014, President Yanukovych still is in power and his authoritarian power was amply demonstrated when in February, a few days back, he ordered crackdowns on the peaceful protestors leaving many dead and hundreds injured. The protestors did respond to the crackdowns by retaliating, throwing bricks and bottles at the police and the riot police. Protestors are now calling for everyone to be peaceful in their protest despite the actions of the government.

Smoke rises over the centre of Kiev as opposition supporters set fire to tyres.

Heavily armoured protesters shield themselves from police fire amid flaming barricades.

As Ukraine burns, we the citizens of the world look on; we, who call ourselves liberal and espouse democracy, just speak of high ideals while innocent people are dying and being injured in trying to live these ideals. Where are those that were so eager to give democracy to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan? What are they doing now when the people of Ukraining are fighting for democracy and human rights? Are the democratic rights and freedoms of the Ukrainian people not so important because they lack economic value? It is easier to fight when your own tail is on fire but it is the mark of humanity when you fight for the rights of others. This is the time for action and be inspired by the zeal and ideals of the Ukrainian people – this is the time to act.

Anti-government protesters gesture at a barricade.

[Photographs: The Telegraph]

Philip Seymour Hoffman: Ode to an actor

Awesomely powerful - is all that I can say about Philip Seymour Hoffman's acting. He was brilliant in all the characters he played, breathing life and spirit into each and every one of them. The first time I encountered Philip Seymour Hoffman was when I watched the movie Synecdoche, New York (2008). I was left stunned by his very natural and powerful acting. This led me to watch his other movies like Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007), Scent of a Woman (1992), Owning Mahowny (2003), Charlie Wilson's War (2007), The Savages (2007), Boogie Nights (1997), Twister (1996), Boogie Nights (1997), The Big Lebowski (1998),Patch Adams (1998), Magnolia (1999), The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), Almost Famous (2000), Red Dragon (2002), 25th Hour (2002), Punch-Drunk Love (2002), Cold Mountain (2003), Moneyball (2011), The Ides of March (2011), Doubt (2008) and The Master (2012); not to mention Capote (2005) for which he won the Oscar for Best Actor. In each and every one of them he never failed to impress me with his acting irrespective of the prominence of his character. He was also quite famous in the theater circle as a director and actor, but I have not seen any of them so far. 

I will definitely miss his presence on screen and, I am sure, so will others all over the world. I sometimes wonder why such talented people die so young - does not seem to be right. I am a bit late in writing this in tribute of this great actor but better late than never. Here are a few images from his life.

Tabu: A Talent Less Known

I have been watching movies ever since I was a child, but over these years I have come across very few talented actresses. The main reason for this perhaps is that women hardly play the lead character in a movie or have ample coverage of their character that would require a good quality of acting. This is more so in Bollywood I believe, where the actress is there just to look pretty and be saved by the hero. But among all the actresses I have come across, I have found Tabu one of the best actresses in Bollywood. She is not only pretty, but her talented acting makes these movies come alive. But not many people talk about Tabu these days and she seems to have been pushed to the side.

Tabu, whose real name is Tabassum Hashmi, has won the National Film Award twice (Maachis and Chandni Bar) and holds the record for most wins of Filmfare's Critics Award for the Best Female Performer with four. The best film I love of her is Maachis (Matchstick). She does a stunning performance in that movie. Another movie I find very good is Cheeni Kum (Less Sugar). Most people I meet are not very familiar with her performance so I thought it would be a good idea to introduce such a talented actress to the world. There are more movies scheduled to come out in the near future starring Tabu and I look forward to watching Tabu perform again and keep me spellbound for the whole time.

[Photos: Internet Image search :) ]

Charles Dickens: A Few Images

I have collected these images from the internet and have arraged them randomly to give you a literal look at the author who has inspired me every since I was a boy. You can easily come across his biography anywhere so I am refraining from repeating it here. Here are just a few images to set your imagination on fire, as every Dickens novel does.I have not arranged the images in any order so that they all look fresh. The 7th of February, 2012, was celebrated as the 200th birth anniversary of Charles Dickens all over the world. Though writing in the 19th century, his works still hold meaning in the world of today where income disparity, poverty and corruption is as rampant as it was in 19th century Britain. I just hope we learn from his advice even if we are more than a hundred years late.

 

 

Charles Dickens as a young boy.

The author in his youth.

 

 

The author as a yong man.

The house that Charles Dickens lived in.

Charles Dickens' house.

Charles The library at Charles Dickens' house.

The parlour at Charles Dickens' house.

 

Genealogy of the author.

The young Charles Dickens.

The library at Charles Dickens' House.

The author as a young man.

Charles Dickens with his family.

Charles Dickens with his family and friends.

Google's search page on 7th February, 2012, in honour of the 200th birth anniversary of Charles Dickens.