Blissful in Ignorance or Miserable in Wisdom?

Which way would you rather chose to live?

Persepolis

Persepolis is, perhaps, the best story ever told. Marjane Satrapi has a very simple yet enchanting way of taking people through the life of a nine year old girl who grows in revolutionary Iran, (later taken over by fundamental Islamists) and moves to Vienna all vulnerable. It is the story of this enduring girl who struggles between being a true Iranian at heart and fighting the tyranny that now governs the society.

To me, this movie was a great example of the experiences that come along with cultural chages and the perspectives one is exposed, and involuntarily given, while going through such drastic events in their lives.

Even though the writer only portrayed Iran as the "deeper and more complexed culture" as opposed to the modern day view of fundamentalism, fanatacism, and terrorism, clearly, this viewpoint applies to all the people suffering under these generally held misconceptions and prejudices.
And so, I highly recommend watching it to get a real glimpse of the worlds beyond our world.

BANAA- Building Sudan

All across the United States , students in a few universities are trying to bring atleast one student BANAA scholar from Sudan and fund their four year education.

Why Sudan? Why Scholarships?

In its 52 years of independence, Sudan has spent 40 years struggling between conflicts due to vast differences in income, inrastructure, education, and poilitical power. For this very reason, the Sudan Educational Empowerment Network has come up with this amazing program-"BANAA"- which will provide selected talented young Sudanese with "a four-year US undergraduate education, apprenticeships with global NGO leaders, and jobs in conflict resolution and sustainable development back in Sudan", thereby, helping the Sudanese bring peace to their nation.

The initiative of educating young people for building their countries is definitely a smart way to help make peace in the world today.The first BANAA scholar is scheduled to arrive at the George Washington University the coming fall and the Tufts, Mills College, and University of Florida are on their way trying to get a scholar by 2009. At the University of South Carolina, we are at the initial stages of signing a petition and sending it our President to get these scholarships going in action. If you want to do the same, the steps are easy. Visit the official website www.banaa.org which gives stepwise instructions for starting the process and bringing your efforts to a great headstart. There is also a link to the global facebook group regarding the same.