Aung San Suu Kyi, born on 19 June 1945 in Rangoon, is a pro-democracy activist and leader of the National League for Democracy in Burma. She won the Rafto Prize and the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1990 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. The Acceptance Speech, given here was delivered on behalf of Aung San Suu Kyi by her son Alexander Aris, on the occasion of the award of the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, December 10, 1991.
A. Work in small groups and discuss the following: Suppose you are given the best student award at your school function. What would you speak on the occasion? What points would you include in your speech?
ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
Your Majesties, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I stand before you here today to accept on behalf of my mother, Aung San Suu Kyi, this greatest of prizes, the Nobel Prize for Peace. Because circumstances do not permit my mother to be here In person, I will do my best to convey the sentiments I believe she would express.
Firstly, I know that she would begin by saying that she accepts the Nobel Prize for Peace not in her own name but in the name of all the people of Burma. She would say that this prize belongs not to her but to all those men, women and children who, even as I speak, continue to sacrifice their well being, their freedom and their lives in pursuit of a democratic Burma. Theirs is the prize and theirs will be the eventual victory in Burma's long struggle for peace, freedom and democracy.
Speaking as her son, however, I would add that I personally believe that by her own dedication and personal sacrifice she has come to be a worthy symbol through whom the plight of all the people of Burma may be recognised. And no one must underestimate that plight. The plight of those in the countryside and towns, living in poverty and destitution, those in prison, battered and tortured; the plight of the young people, the hope of Burma, dying of malaria in the jungles to which they have fled; that of the Buddhist monks, beaten and dishonoured. Nor should we forget the many senior and highly respected leaders besides my mother who are all incarcerated. It is on their behalf that I thank you, from my heart, for this supreme honour. The Burmese people can today hold their heads a little higher in the knowledge that in this far distant land their suffering has been heard and heeded.
B.1.1. Write 'T' for true and 'F' for false statement:
1. Acceptance speech was delivered on September 10, F 1991.
2. On the occasion of the award of the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Alexander Aris made a speech.
3. Alexander Aris is one of the brothers of Aung San Suu Kyi.
4. Alexander Aris thanked from his heart for this honour.
B.1.2. Answer the following questions very briefly:
1. Why had Alexander Aris accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of his mother?
2. Who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991?
3. Who were incarcerated in the struggle for peace, freedom and democracy?
We must also remember that the lonely struggle taking place in a heavily guarded compound in Rangoon is part of the much larger struggle, worldwide, for the emancipation of the human spirit from political tyranny and psychological subjection. The Prize, I feel sure, is also intended to honour all those engaged in this struggle wherever they may be. It is not without reason that today’s events in Oslo fall on the International Human Rights Day, celebrated throughout the world.
Mr. Chairman, the whole international community has applauded the choice of your committee. Just a few days ago, the United Nations passed a unanimous and historic resolution welcoming Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar’s statement on the significance of this award and endorsing his repeated appeals for my mother’s early release from detention.
Let it never be said by future generations that indifference, cynicism or selfishness made us fail to live up to the ideals of humanism which the Nobel Peace Prize encapsulates.
Let the strivings of us all, prove Martin Luther King Jr. to have been correct, when he said that humanity can no longer be tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war.
Let the efforts of us all, prove that he was not a mere dreamer when he spoke of the beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace being more precious than diamonds or silver or gold.
Let a new age dawn!
Thank you.
B.2.1. Complete the following sentences on the basis of the lesson:
1. The prize is also intended……………. Engaged in this struggle.
2. Mr. Chairman, the whole international community has applauded the choice of………
3. Let a new …….. dawn.
B.2.2. Answer the following questions very briefly:
1. Why has the whole International community applauded Mr. Chairman?
2. What is more precious than diamond or silver or gold?
GLOSSARY AND NOTES
Majesties (n): sovereign powers, Maharajas
Excellencies (n): a title of honour, Maharajas
Well-being (n): welfare
Pursuit (n): employment, business
Eventual (adj): final
Worthy (adj): virtuous, valuable
Plight (n): condition
Underestimate (v): to estimate too low
Incarcerated (v): imprisoned
Heeded (v): took notice of
Emancipation (n): liberation, socially, politically and legally free
tyranny (n): cruel government, cruelty
subjection (n): control
applaud (v); to praise
unanimous (adj): agreeing in opinion
endorse (v): to confirm, to express formal support for something
detention (n): check, the state of being kept in prison indifference (n): unconcern, lack of interest or concern
cynicism (n): surliness
encapsulates (v): to express or show something in a short way
striving (here, noun): one who makes a great effort to achieve something
C.1. LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. "And no one must underestimate that plight". Which plight is Aris referring to? Explain.
2. Peace, freedom and democracy are essential for human being. Do you agree? Give your own opinion.
3. The Nobel Peace Prize belongs not only to Aung San Suu Kyi but also to all men, women and children of Burma. Why does Aris say so?
4. "The beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace is more precious than diamond or silver or gold." Why does Aris claim so? Do you agree with him?
C.2. GROUP DISCUSSION
1. The survival of the human society depends on the peace and harmony in the society.
2. The greatest service to the society is to establish peace and harmony.
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