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Bokassa I, Central African EmperorBorn Bokassa in 1921, he was raised in the French-held African territory which is now the Central African Republic. When he was six, Bokassa’s father was beaten to death by French colonial forces for the crime of organizing a labor strike. His mother committed suicide shortly thereafter. His other relatives were able to take him in and pay for his education at a local Catholic school. It was there that he acquired a first name, Jean-Bedel.After stints in the seminary and culinary school, Bokassa joined the French Colonial Army in 1939. After the Vichy government was established, he defected to the Free French Forces and served in both African and European theatres. He was highly decorated for his extensive service throughout the war, earning the Legion d’honneur and Croix de Guerre. He continued to serve after the war and did not return to Central Africa until 1959, when he was stationed there. While he was serving in the French Indochina War, he married a Vietnamese woman and had a child, but soon abandoned them. He was also promoted to second lieutenant in 1956, lieutenant in 1958 and captain in 1961.The Central African Republic became autonomous in 1958 and independent in 1960. Bokassa left the French Army with the rank of in 1962 and joined the newly formed Central African Army. Because of his military experience and reputation, combined with the fact that he was a cousin of the president, David Dacko, Bokassa was made commander-in-chief of the army, and at first he seemed like the right-hand man of the president, the two often appearing in public together, Bokassa in full uniform. But it soon became clear that Bokassa was coveting the presidency. As both men became more distant, they amassed personal armed factions, Bokassa rallying the army and Dacko contracting elite mercenaries for a personal bodyguard. Dacko tried to defund Bokassa’s military, but to no avail. He also sent him to France for bastille day celebrations, only to deny Bokassa re-entry to the Central African Republic, but Bokassa was aided by none other than Charles de Gaulle who helped him return to his home country because of his military service.On December 31st 1965, Bokassa’s forces surrounded Dacko and his bodyguards at a rural estate and forced him to resign at gunpoint. Bokassa addressed the Central African Republic by radio as the new leader.Now, from here on out, Bokassa’s life follows a playbook for dictators. He revoked the state constitution and dissolved the government, amassing his power and building his image. In 1972, he made himself president for life. But here are some highlights that show just how crazy he was:To combat unemployment, he made it a crime for any person between 18 and 55 to not have a job, even if they were looking for work. He also made it illegal to panhandle.Worried that people might have too much fun and not work hard enough, he established a “morality brigade”, to monitor all pubs, bars and dance halls.For the same reason, he banned playing folk drums during the day on weekdays.He sold off the country’s mineral wealth-diamonds and uranium- in exchange for hunting trips with the French President.He sought to outlaw polygamy, despite openly practicing it himself.He converted to Islam and changed his name to Salah Eddine Ahmed Bokassa in 1975 in an attempt to receive foreign aid from Libya. Ghaddafi saw through this, though, and he got nothing.He made it mandatory for school children to purchase and wear a uniform with his face embroidered upon it. When children held a protest against this, he had them thrown in jail and personally beat some of them to death.He personally murdered his right-hand man after a show trial where he accused him of conspiring to overthrow him.Bokassa with his wives and children, some wearing the controversial uniform.He is most well-known, however, for declaring himself Bokassa I, Central African Emperor in 1976.Bokassa felt that the Central African Republic needed to stand out among other African nations and that by proclaiming an empire, they could gain the world’s respect. To assuage fears from his cabinet, he also offered to become a constitutional monarch in the process, although in reality, he had no intention of giving up power and would rule as an absolute monarch.He was coronated on December 4th 1977 in an elaborate ceremony modeled after Napoleon’s 1804 coronation. His full title was: His Imperial Majesty, Bokassa I, Emperor of Central Africa by the will of the Central African people, united within the national political party, the Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa.In order to prepare for the coronation, Bokassa had to take care of a few matters. First, he renounced Islam and converted back to Catholicism so that he could use the Bangui Cathedral for the coronation. In the end, a stadium was chosen for the ceremony.Second, Bokassa had to acquire the funds and having previously spent most of the country’s finances and foreign aid, he requested more from France, who agreed after Bokassa threatened to abandon the Franc currency. France needed the Central African Republic’s uranium for their nuclear power plants and atomic weapons program. France also wanted the Central African Republic to counter the growing strength of Libya, and so they offered the funding on the condition that they would ally with French-aligned Chad instead of Libya.Third, Bokassa wanted dignitaries and heads of state from around the world to attend and set about formally inviting around 2,500 distinguished guests, including Emperor Showa of Japan and Shah Reza Pahlavi of Iran (neither of whom attended). He even invited Pope Paul VI, whom he hoped would formally coronate him, but he settled for the local archbishop after being informed that the pope was too old for the trip. Most states sent an ambassador, and some boycotted the ceremony altogether. In all, about 600 foreign guests decided to attend.Fourth, Bokassa wanted an Empress to rule by his side, but he had to make the hard choice of choosing which wife would receive this honor. Eventually it fell to a wife named Catherine.Now that Bokassa had secured funding, he went about spending it in the list extravagant ways he could. He purchased:An 11’ by 15’ throne in the shape of an eagle, made of guided bronze, weighing two tons. Cost: $2.5 million.A velvet, and ermine-lined gold coronation crown, encrusted with diamonds up to 80 carats. Cost: Greater than $2.5 million.Crown Jewels, including a separate crown for Empress Catherine and 6 foot gold and inlaid scepter for Bokassa. Cost: ~ $5 million.A velvet fur-lined, pearl inlaid coronation pall with 10 meter train designed by Pierre Cardin. Cost: $145kSimilar garb for the empress. Cost: $72k40,000 bottles of Bokassa’s favorite wine, Chateau Rothschild. Cost: $1 million.24,000 bottles of Moët and Chandon.10,000 piece silverware set with gold and porcelain accompanying china.Two life size professional coronation portraits.240 tons of food and drink, catered by airplane from Europe.60 brand new black Mercedes to escort the most esteemed guests to the coronation. $300,000 additional shipping cost.Housing and accommodations at hotels and villas for the invited guests.Several hundred professionally tailored outfits for the citizens of the capital, who were to line the streets and cheer.A citywide improvement project, deep cleaning of streets, repainting of all buildings and eviction of vagrants along parade route and new sculpture for the cathedral.A black diamond ring with an inlaid diamond engraved in the shape of the African continent. Bokassa was apparently swindled by the diamond seller, who charged him half a million for the ring but later admitted it was only worth around 500 dollars.A fully refurbished antique carriage and eight white horses.“Several dozen horses” and period napoleonic military dress for the soldier escorts. Additional costs incurred for training of the horses.Haute couture fashion for Empress’s attendants.Full tailored military uniform for the young crown prince.Two full orchestras.A newly composed Central African Imperial March.A seven layer cake which released pigeons when cut open.Entirely new fountains for the presidential palace.Dozens of square feet in bulletproof glass to protect the VIP guests during the after-party.A band for the after party comprised of waitresses from Vietnam (why?)An imported pyrotechnics displayGendarmerie for security (provided and comped by France)Total cost: $22 million, $80 million inflation-adjusted.And to top it off, Bokassa would later claim that he ordered prisoners to be killed, butchered and served to the guests for dinner.Bokassa was widely ridiculed both domestically and abroad for the extravagant ceremony. He shrugged off the criticism, saying the other states were simply jealous that they were not empires.But hosting the coronation had a ripple effect. Other countries became very hesitant to give any foreign aid to the Central African Republic afterwards, and as a result, compounded with the deficit from the coronation and Bokassa’s previous illustrious spending, the Central African economy dried up. A 1979 famine drew protests to the capital and Bokassa’s killing of some of the protestors turned out to be the last straw for his regime. His old predecessor, David Dacko, came back from exile and ousted Bokassa, who fled to various African states before being granted asylum in France due to his many years in the French military. He lived comfortably, but began to stir up controversy in France after claiming that he and the French president d’Estaing had bedded some of the same women. His claim that he had given diamonds to d’Estaing in 1973 caused the president to lose his 1981 reelection bid. Gradually, Bokassa became more unwelcome in France and he returned to the Central African Republic in 1986.Bokassa had tried in absentia by the reinstated Dacko regime, found guilty and sentenced to death. He was immediately arrested upon his 1986 return, and his convictions were upheld on all charges except cannibalism, which was never proved. His sentenced was later commuted to life in prison, and further reduced to 20 years, before he was released in a 1993 amnesty. By this time, Bokassa was exhibiting the signs of severe dementia and he died in 1996.Despite all of this, he had some accomplishments. He established a nationally funded transportation system of buses, railway and ferries. He abolished the dowry system and set harsh pentaliries for practitioners of female genital mutilation. He expanded the role of women in the government, appointing many to his cabinet, including the country’s first female prime minister. He also navigated international politics well, and presided over a stable- though very repressive- period of the Central African Republic’s history. His legacy has been re-examined in recent years and he was posthumously pardoned by President Bozize in 2010.But there are just some things about this guy I can’t stomach.Bokassa with Romanian dictator Nicolae CeausescuCentral African Imperial StandardCentral African Crown Jewels- all that remains of an empire.

Some months ago, Sahid came to India. He was invited to a party, thrown by one of his family friends at a nearby complex.Everyone was enjoying songs and dances at the party but a girl named Sussain being quite and innocent, was watching the party, sittig at some distance far from public gathering.Sahid observed Sussain and sat next to her. He asked her the reason for not getting involved in party. She replied that she didn't like being in the company of strangers. He liked Sussain's nature. Sahid told her that he was also not much fond of parties and gatherings and so he sat near to her. The party ended with some little talks between them and both bid goodbye to each other.Eventually at New Year's Eve the duo met again. Both had met earlier so it was easy for Sahid to request her for the couple dance. She agreed and looking into each other's eyes, both were dancing gently on the floor.When the event was over, Sahid demanded for Sussain's phone number so that he could be in touch with her.Sahid was good looking, introvert with similar interests as of her so Sussain didn't take much time to share her phone number with him.At night, Sussain was waiting for his call and couldn't stop herself thinking about her feelings when she danced with Sahid. The phone rang with an unknown number being shown on the phone's screen. She hurriedly picked up the call and Sahid was there on the other side. After some minutes of formal talks, he made it clear to her that he had come to India for finding a suitable life partner who would be ready to go to Dubai with him. Sahid asked Sussain that if she could marry him then it would be something great that he would ever do in his life. Sussain was a shy kind of girl so she couldn't express her happiness when she heard that she would be taken to Dubai after marriage.Sahid gave her time to think about the proposal and cut the call. Sussain had never danced with anyone, looking into his eyes, so the whole night Sussain was missing those eyes of Sahid. She was drowning in the ocean of imagination and fantasies.On Valentine's Day, Sahid threw a party where Sussain and her family was invited. He proposed her right at the moment. Sussain's family was introduced to Sahid's family. They didn't take it necessary to inspect for the groom's family because both were in love and Sahid had always been respectful to everyone and so they conceded for the marriage satisfactorily.Sahid was in hurry as he had to leave for Dubai after two months of break so the marriage was held soon.After marriage, Sussain shifted with Sahid. Physical relationship was established. Sussain was planning for future. She was excited to go to Dubai.Sussain was packing her bags. They had to leave in the morning, so she wasn't able to sleep as she was busy discussing about Dubai with Sahid. Somehow she could sleep and woke up in the morning when some men knocked her door.While waking up, she didn't find Sahid sleeping beside her. She unlocked the door and saw some men whom were introduced as uncles of Sahid at wedding, were present on the door, forcing her to leave the room as soon as possible. She told them that her husband wasn't there at the home and when he would come, they would leave very soon.The men made it clear to Sussain that Sahid had already left for Dubai as flight was scheduled to take off in the early morning and they themselves were paid to play the roles of Uncle at the wedding.Sussain later came to know that she was trapped in the Misyar Marriage or Traveling Marriage which are done by South Arabians when they visit countries like India where young girls can be easily trapped by tempting to take them abroad after marriage. They do so just for establishing sexual relationship out of marriage.Sussain couldn't report it to Police because the marriage wasn't registered in India. Sahid's phone was out of reach and so was he.Most people don't know that in India and other neighbouring countries, there are many girls who fell in the trap of Misyar Marriage. They are used for physical pleasure and once the spouse is gone, he is gone forever.Misyar marriage - WikipediaThank You!Image source: Google

I am considered as a very immature and childish in my in laws place.Just stepped in the eighteenth birthday of my life and got married. I was really so unskilled and clumsy in every work.Even my hubby used to take me very casually .My mom in law generally gets irritated over my clumsiness .She used to chide me alot for almost everything. It was the matter of when I gave birth to my first baby.Everyone so happy as he is the first baby of both sides i,e my home side and inlaws side.We had thrown a big party and performed a pooja in our home.We invited all relatives and near and dear ones.Meanwhile construction of our house was going on so lots of expanses.Its our custom whenever a girl give birth to baby her father gives lots of gifts and something of gold to both new the mom and her baby . So did my family but instead of giving me ornaments my dad handed me cash so that I could purchase the designs of my own choice.A day before of party I purchased a gold chain for my baby with that money and wanted to purchase two bangles for myself too.But those designs of bangles were not looking so trendy or stylish.It was something like I already had .I wanted to have something I can carry casually,not too much heavy .Shopkeeper showed me a his booklet of a few new designs .I liked one and paid advance.He told me it will take 20 days so in making.I was in dilemma as won't be able to wear new bangles on party but I couldn't resist new designs.So I choose for waiting instead.Next day of party and pooja every relatives including my family bid adieu.My hubby also left at night as he has his flight for Delhi as he has some unavoidable official work there.Around 3 a.m I just fell asleep after feeding baby,my mom in law awoken me by saying that father in law is having trouble in breathing.I went there saw him sweating profusely and unable to speak.Even he was not recognising any of us only babbling.I was not getting what to do as we both were alone at that time and she was crying like anything. No any man was present there.We called one of our relative but he didn't receive the call.I immediately called our outhouse keeper and tell him for arranging a driver.Luckily got the driver immediately and we took them to the nearby hospital.Dr.checked and declared major heart attack and operation,. He immediately admitted to ICU. We did formality of papers and then I was told to deposite cash for operation.In a hurry we didn't think of money and even gravity of his situation. We both than realised our huge mistake.I then submit 5k but it was not ample as she said I will have to deposite that certain amount before operation and rest amount will be paid after operation.I asked mom in law about money but she surrendered by saying I only have afew.I Suddenly I recalled amount of my bangles but it was also not sufficient as I have paid advanced.I requested Dr.too much for proceeding ,I will submit money within a hour.I immediately rushed to home and get my money which was not ample.I submitted again that and took time till morning.They were quite supportive and agreed on the condition that I will pay till morning.In between I made a call to my hubby and told him the matter then he immediately took return flight.I then called the goldsmith and narrated him the whole incident and requested him to return advanced money.My inlaws are regular customer of him. I assured him I will take that bangles later but need money desperately.So he sent money by the hand of his son immediately in the hospital.Now I have sufficient amount for advancing them .I immediately submitted money.Now we both are praying to God .I saw her sobbing for her spouse she never expressed her love for him always having arguments over triifels but her tears and fidgety are ample to show her hidden emotions. She didn't drink even a drop of water till the operation completed. Operation successfully done, he was out of danger now.We both heaved a sigh of relief. .Till then my hubby and a few relatives arrived.My mom in laws now look at me and told me for going back to home as I have a newly born baby and he also needs rest and feeding.I came home sent tea and foods with driver.One by one family member was attending him in hospital.Owing to baby they were not letting me visit hospital again.I was handling baby and kitchen .I was really exhausted owing to overloaded work and insufficient rest.Can't overlook needs of baby too.After seven days my father in law came back to home.Though he was looking weak and fragile but his presence and blessings means a lot for us.He is alright but need to have a few precautions in future.After a few days some of their relatives come to see him in home one of them said thank God everything is alright now.My mom in law replied with a husky voice thanks to my daughter also (indicating me)who handled the situation with a great maturity.”I am really proud of to have a daughter in law like her,she shows today maturity and sensibility are should be shown with act not with talk”.Those appreciating words from her infront of everyone was just like reward of my hard work for those days.I never expected from her as we never got agree at any point till date.I can sense proud and love in her voice and eyes.It spilled our eyes,she hugged me and we both got emotional.I gave her grandkids to her lap to stop her tears immediately. It always work,she is very much sensitive towards her grand child.Everyone smiled especially my hubby. Thank you Vijaya Laxmi ma'm for A to A.