Russia: 20 years after democratic revolution

It was a usual day – I was waiting for Shaheen.  And when she came, we decided to cook some food. At one stage came Reza and told, they have declared GeKaChePe. “What does it mean Reza?” I asked. He told the coup took place. There was disbelieve, I switch on the TV, the Swan Lake was going on.  Anyway, we took food; mood was already down so decided to go out. Reza told me army is out in the street and giving our experience in BD he asked me not to go out of the hostel. Then came Rana and he too told me the same. There was uncertainty, information gap and break of usual rhythm of life. Next day I didn’t bother to ask Reza. Took the camera and went to Red Square. Get out of the Prospect Marx (now Okhotnyi Ryad) underground station and just on the exit that those days took us to the Red Square saw people moving here and there, trying to go, but soldiers barred them doing that. I approached a young soldier, he refused me let me in, but give me an empty patron to keep as a souvenir that can be used to open beer bottle as well. Then I began to walk towards the Statue of Prince Dolgoruki, just opposite to the mayor office. No transport. People were moving here and there. There was uncertainty all over the street.  So took the short cut road to Arbatskaya (most probably it was still known as Kalininskaya), passed the Dom Knigi (famous book store) and moved towards Belyi Dom (White House – Parliament House). The square before it was full of people. Everyone was excited. At the same time without any knowledge what to do. There were rumor some battalion is coming with tanks. Can’t say I was brave enough. But just began to walk around, asked people what they are planning to do, took a few photos (as usual, I took the camera) and wait when finally Yeltsin would come. He was supposed to come and address the people gathered there. And it was also uncertain if he came out at all. It was about 7 P.M. So decided to go home and listen to BBC or something else to get a better idea about it. Today, after 20 years all these seem to happen in a dream. WE are living in a totally different country. Sometimes, I feel Russia has much common with Bangladesh. 40 years after liberation the nation is divided into two camps – pro and anti liberations. Already 3 rd generations is going to arrive, but still we fail to decide which way we want to go.  Same thing happens to Russia. Still now the country is divided – some wants to go back to their golden days, some wants to move forward. With this uncertainty in the upper class (political I mean) a few making money at the expense of common people and living abroad, while the common man is left alone with all the problems that fell upon him as bolt from the blue. Common they are, but highly educated, dedicated to their work and peace loving. It is really a shame that with all those natural resources common people in Russia find it hard to make to ends meet. There is a joke here.
Someone asks an old man “What is happiness?”
“To live in a country like this (Russia)” he replies.
What is unhappiness?  He asks.
“To have happiness like this” replies the old man.
After 20 years of democratic transformation, it is time to take care of common people.
Long live Russia!  


Dubna, August 23, 2011