Indian Woman Ends 16-Year Hunger Strike

An Indian rights activist who has waged what is thought to be the world’s longest hunger strike ended her fast on Tuesday after vowing to continue her struggle by standing for election in her home state. Irom Sharmila Irom Sharmila, dubbed the “Iron Lady of Manipur” for her unwavering protest against alleged rights abuses by security forces in the insurgency-hit northeast Indian state, was released on bail after she promised a court she would end her fast.

The 44-year-old had been held in judicial custody on charges of attempting suicide — still a criminal offence in India — and confined to a hospital where she was force-fed through a nasal tube. Speaking to journalists outside the court in the Manipur capital Imphal, she said her long campaign had not worked. “I went on a fast for about 16 years thinking I could change the system, but I now realise that this will not yield any result. “So I decided to end my fast and join politics and then fight for the cause that I undertook this mission for — justice,” she told journalists, speaking in her native Metei language. Irom is campaigning for the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which covers large parts of the northeast and the restive state of Kashmir.

It gives Indian forces sweeping powers to search, enter property and shoot on sight, and has been criticised as a cover for human rights abuses. The Indian government says security forces need the powers to help them battle multiple rebel groups whose long-standing demands range from secession to greater autonomy and land rights. – Frail but determined – Amnesty International India campaigner Abhirr VP called Irom’s hunger strike “a testament to her passion for human rights, and her belief that a draconian law like the AFSPA has no place in any society”.

Irom began her fast on November 2, 2000 after allegedly witnessing the killing of 10 people by the army at a bus stop near her home. Two weeks ago she surprised supporters by declaring she would end it to stand as an independent candidate in state elections to be held next year. “My fight so far has been all alone and so I have decided to wage a war against the (AFSPA) act democratically by becoming a lawmaker instead of continuing with my fast,” she told reporters at the time.

On Tuesday she appeared frail but determined as she spoke to reporters, the plastic tubing still taped to her nose. After the hearing she was taken back to the hospital where she has spent much of the past 16 years to complete the legal formalities of her bail. Magistrate Lamkkhanpau Tonsing said she was being released after submitting bail of 10,000 rupees ($150) and a written pledge to stop her fast. It is not clear whether she will return to the family home — she has said she would like to marry her fiance, a British national of Indian origin who she met after starting her fast. Doctors have said she will need medical help to begin eating again. Amnesty International declared her a Prisoner of Conscience in 2013 and she has received several prestigious international prizes, including a lifetime achievement award from the Asian Human Rights Commission. But support in her home state has waned in recent years. Irom’s brother Singhajit told journalists she would either contest the election as an independent candidate or form a new party to “fight for the causes of the people of Manipur”.

Caitlyn Jenner Ready To Date Men, Says She Wants A Guy To Treat Her Like A Woman

Caitlyn Jenner has hinted she may date men.In a new episode of I Am Cait  ,she admits to friend and transgender activist Jennifer Finney Boylan that she could be attracted to men. She says in the clip, obtained by People magazine. “

It would be very attractive to me to have a guy treat me like a woman,”That you would be treated like a normal woman. Like any other woman in the street and not make it this trans-[gender] thing, “Just a normal relationship.”

Worried Caitlyn believes a man is needed, Boylan then insisted she is a normal woman and doesn’t
need a man for that to happen.

“A woman can make you a woman,It’s a thing we women do. We look to men to give us self worth.”Now that you’re in the sisterhood, you have gone to such trouble to be a woman; don’t be a stupid one. Be a smart one.

Meet The 58 Year Old Grandma Who Claims Her Beauty Causes Car Crashes, Makes Men Weep

A 58-year-old grandmother believes other women are intimidated by her looks, because she is so beautiful, her features have reduced men to tears.She also believes she looks 35..

Stephanie Arnott, who lives with husband Ian, 66, in Maidstone, Kent, says she believes she has the face and the figure of a women 20 years younger, which she puts down to ‘luck and good genes’.

Mrs Arnott, who has one daughter and one grandchild, said her partner enjoys all the attention she gets from other men – but has also noticed that women are jealous of his wife. She said:

‘Women can be intimidated by me because of the way I look, dress and speak. I have class, elegance and beauty, which are all powerful assets. ‘I never used to realise that other women were jealous of me, but now I see it. Women even frown at me on the street – something my husband’s noticed too.’But that’s what happens when you are 58 with the face and figure of a 35-year-old. It’s all natural aswell. I put it all down to luck and good genes.’

Mrs Arnott, who believes her looks have almost caused car crashes and even cleans her car while wearing a bikini, said she doesn’t work out – even though ‘for some strange reason my body looks as though I do’.

 ‘My ex-husband used to get jealous but my husband Ian loves the attention I get. He laps it up and even sometimes likes to walk behind me on the pavement just to see what happens. People inevitably stare at me as I go by and people try and chat me up.’I’ve had all sorts of approached by men. I’ve had notes left on my windscreen.
‘Once when I lived in a flat and there was scaffolding up outside a guy climbed up and left a note on my bedroom window. It said: “I’d love to wine and dine you” but I didn’t take him up the offer.

Mrs Arnott, who was married before she met her current husband and has a 38-year-old daughter, said she has always been able to ‘pick and choose’ her men, something which she believes is ‘difficult’ for other women to accept.

 ‘Until recently (when I’ve lost my looks slightly) I used to cause near-accidents on the streets. People would get distracted by me and have to slam their brakes on.’I remember walking by a crossroad with a friend once. The man at the wheel took a double take at me and there was a very near crash.’I am used to people looking at me. It’s always been so overwhelming – like I’m in the wrong place so I’m used to pretending not to see. I feel a bit silly saying but it’s true.’I’ve also had men getting emotional on me. I can be talking to someone and then I’ll notice they are getting soppy and tearful – and trying to hold back tears.

On men crying for her

It’s happened on blind dates or even talking to someone in the queue in the supermarket.’I think it’s because they fall in love at first sight – but obviously they are not going to admit that.’It sounds strange because most people haven’t experienced it but I’m just being honest.

Mrs Arnott said compared to most people, she believes she looks as young as a 30-year-old, ‘apart from a few wrinkles’.

She added: ‘People think I’m a superstar and guess my age at 35. I always look like I’ve just walked off a movie set. People are always surprised to see someone as glamorous as me walking around.I also like to clean the car in bikini, which gets me rather a lot of attention. If it’s a sunny day, I think “why not?

Mrs Arnott said she has dated ‘lots’ of wealthy men over the years, and once dated a tycoon whose friends told her she was the ‘most suitable‘ women he had ever met.

‘But he wanted children and I was used to gallivanting around the world on ships with my first husband, who was also wealthy, and I didn’t want more kids,’ she said. I remember walking into a pub once, the day after Miss World had been on TV, and a guy stopped me and said: ‘Where the hell were you last night? You should have won Miss World”.

My top tip for woman to look their best is to always look fresh-faced. Wear a bit of mascara, fill in some eyebrow, if they have been over-plucked and wear a dash of lip liner with a gloss.

Culled from Mailonline