Ashin Gambira, the leading monk of the saffron revolution and a leader in 'All Burma Monks Alliance' (ABMA), has been under detention for one year as on November 4 this year.

He was arrested by junta's thugs and local authorities in Singai, Mandalay Division on 4th November 2007 after being beaten up.

He is in fact a young learning student monk only 29 years of age.

But he decided to abandon his learning institution and join political activity when he realized the current crisis of Burma originated because of the junta's one-sided bullying tactics and refusal to resolve the political crisis by political means. He could no longer ignore the plight of the people and joined hands with other like minded monks to resolve the current crisis.

This historical monk-led movement of protest by reciting Metta sutra is still glorious till today.

But one of the leading monks of this protest is still under detention.

He was hospitalized on September 10 this year after drinking milk offered by police on duty which resulted in vomiting three times while he was suffering severe stress amid the arrest of his family members and the first anniversary of saffron revolution.

His health condition is deteriorating due to various reasons. It was so even at the time of the saffron revolution first anniversary. We knew only after he was hospitalized, that he gets severe headache, a stiff and strained neck whenever he thinks of anything. He cannot concentrate and has become weak and thin.

What is surprising was he told his elder sister who met him in prison, "Don't engage in politics, go back to the hometown 'Pauk' and enjoy a peaceful life, and do not come and see me in prison anymore." He was anxious about his family members. I was astonished when I heard about it.

Because I used to stay with him and was very intimate and close, I know him well and his mental integrity.

Everything he talked about was related to politics. Everything he thought about was exploring means to resolve the current crisis in Burma by peaceful means. He believed in peaceful transformation and a win-win situation. He seemed to be trying hard with this firm belief.

His real name (priesthood name) is U Sandawbartha. Whenever his fellow monks asked him, 'What are you doing Bo San', he used to reply 'I usually work on 'Bahuzanatiharya' and 'Bahuzanathukharya' as Lord Buddha taught'.

He is ambitious and his mind is pure and clean. He sacrificed much in his young life. But what he got back from his great efforts was low in all aspects.

I was displeased with him by his appearance when I first saw him at 'Aungmingalar' highway bus terminal. He came and picked us up at this terminal when we first went to Rangoon for discussions with him. His appearance on that day is still in my mind and eye, wearing a dirty and dusty Thai made silk robe, having over half inch long hair, carrying a dirty silk shoulder bag with full of odds and ends in it.

I heard some remarks made in his absence, 'He is unlike a Buddhist monk, dirty and untidy'. In the words of Yenanchaung folks, 'Our town is underdeveloped and dirty as the government sees our town as brown or black area (insurgent areas)'. In fact, Yenanchaung is the hub and a historical town full of active and dynamic political movements.

It is not surprising to hear such gossip or comment about him by some affluent (to some extent) student monks by judging only his superficial appearance. But everyone could not help showing respect to him as soon as they talked to him. His wisdom, mental and moral integrity are totally contrary to his appearance and awesome to everyone.

I was even more surprised when I realised he had no spare robe. Then I understand why he looked dirty. He might worry about delaying his work if he washed his one and only robe and could not go outside. After that, I respected him a lot more and had sympathized with him.

He could not get any more cash and kind benefits as a student monk at that time. Moreover he had to abandon his little belongings what he had at his hostel in consideration of his security and had to be content with what he had and strived for his political goals.

Now such a seasoned political activist monk full of sacrifices has urged his elder sister to stay away from politics. Then I asked my wife (his younger elder sister) about him. I realized that though he doesn't care about his own sufferings, he is anxious and worries about the safety and suffering of his colleagues, family and relatives.

The authorities know his mind well and they used pressure tactics on him. When I and my wife were on the run, they fooled him with false news of our arrest with detailed location, date and where we were being held. Then they showed him the actual arrest of his younger brother and husband of his elder sister. You can imagine how he felt at that time. At that time, his elder sister was expecting her baby in the third semester of pregnancy. He could not ignore the real situation of his septuagenarian parents, left without family support for both daily wherewithal and health. All the sons and daughters are not with them.

But it is certain that this heroic monk leader Ashin Gambira will never surrender to the evil power of the regime and kneel before the junta.

I pay my tribute to U Gambira with this article on this occasion of the first anniversary of his arrest by the junta.

(The author fled to Thai-Burma border)