Thursday, December 8, 2011

Basboosa


 ‎"If you don't see me, I'll burn myself." 

Basboosa
Mohamed Bouazizi sold produce on his cart all day long to provide for his family. Basboosa, as he was called by the locals, gave up his hopes of a university degree as it was an unrealistic dream that his harsh life wouldn't grant him.

He was sensitive to the torment inflicted on the innocent locals by the municipal authorities, and he was angry. Rage burned in him like a phoenix which would only burn out after self- immolation, rebirth. 

Faida Hamdi and her municipal henchmen had harassed him and destroyed his cart, his means of livelihood. She had slapped him, spat on his face and called his dead father 'a coward who killed himself'. 

Standing outside the governor's office, expecting no reply to his cries and complaints against the injustice that life itself had become, Basboosa thought to himself, "When there is nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire."

And then he lit the match that set fire to the Tunisian Revolution.


11 comments:

CookieCrumbsInc. said...

Why does it always take extreme measures for people to take notice?

R. said...

@PeeVee - Takes a fire for people to start panicking, not a spark.

Akshaya said...

Started reading your blog after a friend sent me the link. Real good stuff! You should post more often!

R. said...

@Akshaya - Nice name.

I try.

Mrinalini said...

I think I see a watch in the picture in his left hand. I don't know why I find it most disturbing. I imagine him wearing it in the morning after he washed himself and wore his clothes. I wonder if he knew.

Vin. said...

Interesting this one was :D
a variance from your other ones I must say.

Blondie said...

I don't like humans that much. Lazy, self-centered things they are.

Hello Akshaya. Nice seeing you here.
See. Good groupie that I am.

Still wish you could've talked to the beggar.

R. said...

@Mrinalini - He was moving towards it. All his life. Don't be disturbed. He served his purpose.

R. said...

@Vi - I try. Good to see you again.

R. said...

@Blondie - Houdini of names, you.
I like humans.
Yes, very good groupie.
I wish the same.

Nerd 007 said...

Still a Blond you are? o.O

Yeahbeagoodgroupieformealsono.