June 11, 2005: Headlines: Figures: COS - Peru: Politics: Khaleej Times: Mohammed A. R. Galadari says: Peru's president Alejandro Toledo has just ended a foreign trip that took him to nations in Asia and the Middle East. Reports are that he has skipped some places and previously-planned appointments, for the only reason that his wife has resented them.
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June 11, 2005: Headlines: Figures: COS - Peru: Politics: Khaleej Times: Mohammed A. R. Galadari says: Peru's president Alejandro Toledo has just ended a foreign trip that took him to nations in Asia and the Middle East. Reports are that he has skipped some places and previously-planned appointments, for the only reason that his wife has resented them.
Mohammed A. R. Galadari says: Peru's president Alejandro Toledo has just ended a foreign trip that took him to nations in Asia and the Middle East. Reports are that he has skipped some places and previously-planned appointments, for the only reason that his wife has resented them.
It is not necessary that Toledo listens to her in matters relating to his public life. Peru is a democracy, and he only need listen to the people’s voice and the parliament’s voice. And, he knows he has no obligation to his wife in respect of the discharge of his official responsibilities. Yet, Toledo has made it a point to positively respond to her sentiments. It shows how much he loves and trusts his life partner. Wife is not simply a machine to make children for us; or to cook food for us. She is life’s partner, and due importance should be accorded to her. This is what I call a civilized man-woman relationship.
Mohammed A. R. Galadari says: Peru's president Alejandro Toledo has just ended a foreign trip that took him to nations in Asia and the Middle East. Reports are that he has skipped some places and previously-planned appointments, for the only reason that his wife has resented them.
A lesson from Toledo
By Mohammed A. R. Galadari
11 June 2005
PERU’S president Alejandro Toledo has just ended a foreign trip that took him to nations in Asia and the Middle East. Reports are that he has skipped some places and previously-planned appointments, for the only reason that his wife has resented them.
Dear readers, see the importance people give to their wives in civilized societies. Here is a president’s wife telling him not to visit a place during his official tour, and he takes it in the right spirit and acts accordingly. That is how life is changing. Tradition in many societies dictates that women do what men say; and not the other way round. In progressive societies today, husbands and wives see themselves as companions, and listen to each other in their personal lives. They do not dictate, but discuss, understand each other’s point of view, and decide. Toledo represents the new generation.
It is not necessary that Toledo listens to her in matters relating to his public life. Peru is a democracy, and he only need listen to the people’s voice and the parliament’s voice. And, he knows he has no obligation to his wife in respect of the discharge of his official responsibilities. Yet, Toledo has made it a point to positively respond to her sentiments. It shows how much he loves and trusts his life partner. Wife is not simply a machine to make children for us; or to cook food for us. She is life’s partner, and due importance should be accorded to her. This is what I call a civilized man-woman relationship.
In our part of the world, however, things are different, almost to the point of an embarrassment. Men will want their women to beget children, or cook good food for them. These men leave home in the morning, return home by afternoon, have heavy meals, and go to sleep; wake up and go out, return at night, don’t even bother to see their children; they are exhausted, weary, and go back to sleep. When does he interact with his wife and children? We are weak in this area; and we are living in the past. We need to see the life around the world, and change.
This, however, is not a phenomenon particular to our region. It is more or less the case with the third world as a whole. Even Japan, a country where I frequent, has not changed much over the years. Those in the middle ages, I mean those above 40, there, are carrying on with their old traditions. But, the younger generation in Japan is changing. They are spending more time with their spouses, children, spend their evening with their families, and even sit till late at night, partying with their families. I hope things will change, in due course, in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and everywhere else in the third world.
Dear readers, life has to have its meaning. Family life is important. Husband and wife need to live as companions, and love and respect each other. There is a beauty to such a life.
When this story was posted in June 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:




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Story Source: Khaleej Times
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Figures; COS - Peru; Politics
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