I have always deeply admired the Egyptians - I love their sense of humour, their warm open nature, and their respect for a healthy work-life balance in their lives (something that many Indians tend to lack).
The recent events in Egypt has taken my respect for Egyptians a few notches higher. It is not for me - a foreigner - to say who or what system should govern Egypt. All I can say is that freedom and democracy are important for any civilization, and is something worth struggling for.
The last 10 days I have seen a different facet of Egypt - I have seen a steely resolve among the youth of Egypt that I had never seen before - a steely resolve that can remake history.
It is said that suffering and struggle tends to shape character and strengthen bonding - and this is what I am observing today among the youth of Egypt - whether in the way they organised the neighbourhood protection committees to protect their families, or in the way their spirit has held up against huge odds.
One cannot with certainty predict the outcome of any event. But whatever the outcome of this event - of one thing I am very sure : the Egypt that I will return to (hopefully very soon), will be a different Egypt, and a much improved one, for sure.
The recent events in Egypt has taken my respect for Egyptians a few notches higher. It is not for me - a foreigner - to say who or what system should govern Egypt. All I can say is that freedom and democracy are important for any civilization, and is something worth struggling for.
The last 10 days I have seen a different facet of Egypt - I have seen a steely resolve among the youth of Egypt that I had never seen before - a steely resolve that can remake history.
It is said that suffering and struggle tends to shape character and strengthen bonding - and this is what I am observing today among the youth of Egypt - whether in the way they organised the neighbourhood protection committees to protect their families, or in the way their spirit has held up against huge odds.
One cannot with certainty predict the outcome of any event. But whatever the outcome of this event - of one thing I am very sure : the Egypt that I will return to (hopefully very soon), will be a different Egypt, and a much improved one, for sure.
