#MaleWaterCrisis, though full of ambiguity, has made so many things clear in so little time: 1. Systematic indoctrination in the Maldives is to the extent that some Maldivians taboo questioning authorities, demanding accountability and in so doing alienate anybody who believes in the system of checks and balances. These people are very quick to label others as conspiracy theorists guilty of politicising issues. Little do they realise that issues concerning the public, issues created due to policy failures are inherently political. 2. Xenophobia and racism is widespread in the Maldives. On the first day of the water crisis, foreign expatriates who spent hours in the queues were sent away and denied water. Although this was mostly done by individuals, despite reporting this to the relevant authorities, nothing substantial was done. The next day, however, when the countries of these very expatriates sent us generous amounts of water, our government was quick to announce availability of water without discrimination. 3. India was the first country our foreign minister reached out to in this time of crisis. The tiny little Maldives -- who was engaging in unnecessary diplomatic rows with big brother India (our traditional ally); using claims to sovereignty as an excuse to spew xenophobic rhetoric against our regional guardian -- had to get down on its knees and beg for water. Its about time we realised that Maldives is in the Indian Ocean and not the South China Sea. 4. We need to stop demonising countries based on their state religions and come to terms with the fact that we live in a globalised world. It was Hindu-majority India, Buddhist Srilanka and the secularist United States of America from the big bad west that sent the first sorties. No Arab Muslim country sent us zamzam. 5. Resort tycoons with their own water plants, who spend millions for political campaigns, have done nothing for the Maldivian people so far. In spite of having resources within the country, we have had to beg foreign countries for help. Its noteworthy that these are the very people who are particularly vocal about a certain sovereignty they hold so dear. Tough times, paradise!
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 13:47:15 +0000
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