Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Living Darfur


Easily, one of the worst humanitarian crisis known to us, the Darfur conflict has long breached the threshold of human tolerance. The ethnic conflict between the government forces and warring rebel factions has resulted in the death of more than 300,000 people, directly affected 4.7 million and resulted in the displacement of 2.7 million people. The scourge of disease, malnutrition and abuse run high in the region with the issue of Human Rights tossed far beyond dustbins, if any!

It was on April 8th, 2004, that the government of Sudan and two rebel groups entered into the Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement under the auspices of the United Nations. However, the situation on the ground has changed little and many such agreements have been signed, endorsed and forgotten.

This message by Mattafix, called Living Darfur, is a very powerful tribute to the people of Darfur, for their unending will to survive the evils of war and yet conduct life peacefully. I had a teardrop in the corner of my eye when I watched it the first time on VH1 in 2007. I'm not sure of the following embedded video is accessible, if not please click at the beginning of this paragraph for the You Tube link or visit Mattafix's web page and click the "Watch Living Darfur" link, under the "New Album Rhythm & Hymns" section.



Is it a mere coincidence that Gautama Buddha was born on April 08th? I wonder what it takes to give peace a chance!

Footnotes

Image Courtesy - Cover Photo, Twenty Years of War and Genocide in Sudan (As per Original Copyright)
Video Input - Mattafix & YouTube (Living Darfur - As per Original Copyright)

Suggested Reading
Darfur Conflict
Sudan Information Gateway - United Nations
Darfur Humanitarian Profile No. 33

26 comments:

  1. Nice post-as usual. This time for Peace.Today the world is in the midst of so many conflicts. Conflicts for various reasons. The irony is that it seems nobody is seriously interested in solving these conflicts.

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  2. I remind heard about this human target, not in detail like the links provide here. I wish these incidents never happen again in reality and what relief can return is nothing the medicine to injuries. The lessons world learns at every moment, are still at experience at some countries like Sri Lanka and late Baghdad.

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  3. The song 'You shall rise' is a nice one... I have heard of Dafur but I am not familiar with the humanitarian crisis there.... Your post was informative.

    Destination Infinity

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  4. have seen this in VH1 long back..
    and yea as u said, we have to give it to the spirit of these people amidst all this turmoil

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  5. Educative ..... Nice piece of work & smart compilation !!!

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  6. glad you are posting such 'awareness' posts..

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  7. Peace talks amid all these atrocities sends one to pieces....feels like shutting off in a cellar...yet, can't!

    Informative reminder, Rak

    wishes,
    devika

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  8. :) i read ! no comments, as i am not good enough. just a word, informative.

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  9. Those are absolutely fascinating. Wonderful post! Your post was informative.

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  10. Nice and informative post! its gr8 to see such aware people around us!
    BTW I am an ardent traveller.
    I have started a new blog that shows my passion for traveling—unseenrajasthan

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  11. wat is d world comin to...its sad to c these things...

    but i agree wid d singer..."you shall rise"

    even wid those kinda scenes there is lotsa optimism in that song

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  12. You have a great pen bro !! Are you from the journalist fraternity ??? your words are hard hitting and quite dead on target :) thanks for visiting my blog...we do tha same often...cheers

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  13. Old Monk

    Yes, peace is an extremely urgent necessity on today's world!
    It is a solution to much of our harrowing problems and conflicts!

    Now, how much we will make an effort to strive towards it? I know not!

    Thanks for your comments!

    Rakesh

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  14. Jeevan

    Much like Darfur, a large part of the world is embroiled in conflict, which is sad but true!
    Human casualties and heinous acts of disastrous proportions are frequent occurrences.

    It is time we thought of our existence is a more serious manner!

    Rakesh

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  15. DI

    I'm glad you found this post informative.

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  16. Praveen

    Indeed, the people of Darfur and other worn torn places have to be given the highest priority and accordance.
    It is only their remarkable spirit and will that ensures their survival.

    Rakesh

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  17. Rahul V

    Thanks very much! Appreciate your comments!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  18. Magiceye

    I'm very happy that you find them so! Greatly appreciate your comments!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  19. Devika Chechi

    Quite true! Peace talks are nothing but vacations in good places with expensive tastes! They are a facade!

    Rakesh

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  20. Shravan

    Thanks! I don't think you should feel 'not good enough'
    Time will eventually make all of us good in our knowledge and perspective, trust me!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  21. Femin

    I'm glad you found this post informative! Do keep visiting often!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  22. Bharat K

    Thanks very much for vising my space and leaving me your thoughts which are very appreciable!
    I did visit your blog and found myself delving in memories of my trip to Jaipur in 2005!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  23. Mayz

    It is definitely sad to see the plight of people in war torn areas, with no future, past or present! A very tense and uncertain life indeed!
    Lets hope to God that they are delivered from the evil that continues to pain them every moment!

    You shall rise is a fantastic tribute to the people of Darfur! It is very inspiring in creating a vision which needs to be pursued by the governments involved!

    Thanks for your visit and comments!

    Rakesh

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  24. Bondhu

    Thanks very much for the wonderful words of appreciation!
    Unfortunately, I am not a journo, something I so much wish to be!

    Glad you visited my space!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  25. Ajeya

    Thanks very much! Appreciate your visit and comments!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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