This refers to the news report “Suu Kyi calls for reconciliation talks” (Nov. 12)

It’s indeed a landslide victory for Myanmar’s democratic champion Aung San Suu Kyi. This reminds us of Nelson Mandela who had been incarcerated in jail for 27 years before walking out to become South Africa’s president.

Suu Kyi, who spent decades of imprisonment in Myanmar, has finally come out to win overwhemingly the parliamentary election.

Myanmar, after 25 years of military rule, is all set to hand power to Suu Kyi. These are indeed the memorable moments reflecting democracy’s triumph.

Suu Kyi had the option to go into exile along with her family, but she chose to stay in the country remaining under house arrest for all these years. By taking a firm stand on a democratic form of government, she won many hearts in Myanmar and outside.

This is Myanmar’s first free general election in decades, with massive turnout of 80 percent of the 30 million eligible voters, especially in the countryside.

Suu Kyi will however not find it easy as the road ahead is not full of roses. She would need to take concrete measures like the one on Rohingya issue. The minority Muslims have suffered a lot under the military junta and are deprived of their basic rights including the right to vote.

The world in general must seize this opportunity to open a new era of partnership with Myanmar, which is gateway to east.

Ramesh G. Jethwani

Bangalore, India