TamilWeek_Oct_23

"Without free, self-respecting, and autonomous citizens there
can be no free and independent nations. Without internal peace,
that is, peace among citizens and between the citizens and the
state, there can be no guarantee of external peace."
- Vaclav Havel, Playwright, Former President of Czeck

Charles Gnanakone and the Kadirgamar killing

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj

The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate
and Additional District Judge Sarojini Kusala Weerawardena on Monday Oct
24th that they have detained Charles Selvakumar Gnanakone an Australian
passport holder for questioning in connection with the assassination of
Former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. Responding to a request
made by the CCD Judge Weerawardena extended the detention period of
Gnanakone for a further 90 days. He was taken into custody on Oct 10th.

Tigers face community wrath over Rajadurai killing

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj

Killing the high profile Jaffna Central College Principal Kanapathy Rajadurai
has caused tremendous problems for the tigers. It was in the first place a
betrayal as the principal had been promised "safety" by sections of the tiger
hierarchy. Furthermore it has opened a nasty can of worms in Jaffna.
Principal Rajadurai belonged to a "Dalit" or so called depressed caste of
Jaffna. His foul murder is perceived by fellow caste members as a deliberate
act directed against their people. The past week has seen feelings run high.
It is doubtful whether the LTTE beleaguered in the East by "regionalism' can
withstand the "casteism" let loose by the Rajadurai murder.

LTTE fails to utilise political opportunity

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

The killing of two Northern school principals by two different sets of killers on
successive days has brought in its wake widespread condemnation. The
Eelam Peoples Democratc Party and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are the
prime suspects. While the EPDP was allegedly responsible for killing Kopay
Christian College Principal Nadarajah Sivakadatcham on Oct 11th the
accusing finger points to the LTTE in the case of Jaffna Central College
principal Kanapathy Rajadurai on Oc 12th.

How long the people must wait for peace
in Sri Lanka?

By Dr. S. Narapalasingam

The abrogated Bandaranaike-Chelvanayagam Pact of 1957 was based on
the federal principle and was a trifle compared to what had been proposed in
recent years to devolve powers to the regions. Federalism meant division of
the country to the Sinhala nationalists, who wanted absolute control over the
entire provinces considered as integral parts of the Sinhala-Buddhist holy land
(Sinhaladeepa). This stance paradoxically sowed the seeds of separation.

Denial of self determination and autonomy
legitimates separation

By V. Thirunavukkarasu

Besides 1983 (Black July), the carnage of 1958 too was horrendous enough
to prompt the then doyen of journalism, Tarzie Vitachchi, to bemoan the
atrocities heaped on the Tamils as "man's inhumanity to man, that signalled
the parting of ways between the Sinhalese and the Tamils". (Emergency '58 -
Tarzie Vitachchi)

JVP and JHU want Aceh-style Unitary Constitution

Far-reaching provisions in Aceh MoU is conveniently
ignored

By Austin Fernando

The unitary nature of the Constitution has been incorporated in Prime
Minister Mahinda Rajapakse's Manifesto released yesterday. SLFP's federal
solution to the national issue has gone with the election wind.

Jam yesterday, jam tomorrow but no jam today

By Prof. C. Suriyakumaran

Once more, the great Presidential battle is joined! In well over 50 years of
Independence, once more, we are on to the pastime in which we have excelled
most!

Before, it was the General Elections, where each party promised the moon -
these 50 years to the masses. Add now the Presidential Elections, like a
scepter unto the crown, to the Parliamentary periodic heroics, in both of which
the people continue to be promised so many things so many times in - (A)
Development; (B) Governance; (C) Peace knowing that hardly any of these
have been fulfilled.

A new social contract to attain prosperity: The
need of the hour

By Sarath De Alwis

The eventual announcement that Mahinda Rajapkse would be the SLFP
candidate, was not a surprise but, indeed, it was a subject of considerable
speculation.At the age of 63, with six adorable grandchildren, and a deep
conviction, that we presently live in a 'failing State,' I am compelled to take a
very important decision that will determine the destiny of our country. No
matter who wins, I would like to lay my weary head on my tattered pillow, for
the rest of my remaining years, in the knowledge, that I did it right for the sake
of those whom I dearly love. I want this country saved from chaos, anarchy
and war.

SLMC Becoming dominant Muslim political force
again

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

If the vicious criticism against the SLMC leader by his political rivals was a
proper measure to go by then the leadership days of Rauff Hakeem seemed
numbered. Much of the anti - Hakeem venom was mouthed not by long -
standing enemies but by the friend turned foes , consisting of SLMC
dissidents and defectors.

The early cracks

by an Old Jaffna Man

I am an old Jaffna man (OJM) past the Biblical span of 70 years, with one foot
here and the other "beyond". My memories go back to the General Election of
1947. Viewing the panel discussions on TV about the current Presidential
Election, it appears that many people do not know the political climate that
prevailed then. That is the reason for tapping these notes.

Rajapakse would stop asset sales to foreigners [IHT]

By Anusha Ondaatjie

Sri Lanka's prime minister, Mahinda Rajapakse, has pledged to stop state
asset sales to overseas investors if elected president in the Nov. 17 election.

Sri Lanka's economy will be bolstered by developing agriculture, fisheries,
construction and industry, according to a manifesto he released on Tuesday.

Rajapakse said he would balance the demands of rural voters, who make up
80 percent of Sri Lanka's population, and market-oriented policies for which
his rival, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, is credited. The
country, mainly Buddhist, has 20 million people

Joy, anguish as Abhilash celebrates first birthday

Nearly 10 months after he was found among tsunami debris to become a
beacon of hope and Sri Lanka’s best-known survivor, ‘Baby 81’ celebrated his
first birthday yesterday with a trip to a Hindu temple.

As a priest smeared a traditional blessing in dried cow dung and ash on baby
Abilass’ forehead, his parents — who had to go to court and undergo DNA
tests to win custody after all their documents were washed away by the
tsunami — thanked one and all.

But catapulted into the limelight by a media-frenzy over the photogenic baby
that saw the family whisked to the United States in the wake of the disaster to
appear on “Good Morning America”, their joy is bittersweet.

“When we came back from America, I thought our life would change. But it
hasn’t,” said the toddler’s father, Murugupillai Jeyarajah, who moved his family
to a rented home further inland along the coast after their neighbours taunted
them.

“Nobody has helped us to rebuild our lives ... Everybody calls us the tsunami
family,” he told reporters. “I hope someone will help us to go to America. I
cannot bring up my child in this country. People thought that we have got a lot
money, especially after we came back from America. But all we got were toys
for my child. We didn’t get any money.”

Wave of Hope

Human rights violations of tsunami victims [BBC]

According to studies carried out by the University of California, Berkeley
Human Rights Centre, which "conducts interdisciplinary research on emerging
issues in international human rights and humanitarian law"
there had been many violations of human rights of tsunami victims of Sri Lanka

The report also says, "armed conflict is ongoing, children are being recruited
to serve as combatants… and adults are living in fear among warring groups"
indicating that "significant human rights problems persist" in Sri Lanka.

An intellectual from Malayaham

by K. S. Sivakumaran

Malai in Thamil means hills or mountains. There are three "la" in Thamil. One
of them is represented in English by the letter "z".

The Thamil word for rain is "mazhai".

But if you say "Malai Aham" or "Malai Naadu" in Thamil, it means the home of
the hills. It is wrong to interpret "Malai Nadu" as a separate state for the
Thamils of the hillcountry area.

"Music has charms to soothe the savage breast
To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak" - William Congreve ,
English dramatist - (1670 - 1729)

"Harmony" Multi Cultural Concert, funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy
was held at the Bishops' College Auditorium in Colombo on 13th of October
2005. It's a festival of Music and Dance to unite the artistes without any
barriers or borders. [More Photos from the Harmony Festival,
By Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai]

Down memory lane

Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam looks back at his contributions
to Kuchipudi as he celebrates his 76th birthday.

He is a pioneer who has `feminised' the male dance form of Kuchipudi,
bestowed it with a finesse without distorting its established structure, and
stylised the dance drama convention.

The Raja still reigns supreme

"Do you want me to continue," queried a cheerful Ilaiyaraja. And undaunted by
the lateness of the hour, the crowd screamed "Yes." It was almost 11.30 p.m.
but not many were willing to leave the Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai, before
it was curtains down. "So is this going to be a Sivarathri for you," laughing
aloud the maestro asked. "No ... Raja Rathri," the audience responded. The
lively live-in concert organised by Jaya TV, the maestro's first in 25 years, was
filled with such light-hearted exchanges between the man on the dais and the
10, 000 strong gathering — his ardent admirers all.

Another surprise in Mamallapuram [Frontline]

The discovery of a late Tamil Sangam age temple 50 km
from Chennai strengthens the view that a string of Seven
Pagodas existed along the Mamallapuram coast.

The remains of an ancient brick temple, possibly 2,000 years old, have been
discovered on the beach near Tiger Cave in Mamallapuram, 50 km from
Chennai. According to archaeologists involved in the excavation, the temple;
dedicated to Muruga, also known as Karthikeya, may date back to the late
Tamil Sangam age, between 1st century B.C. and 2nd century A.D. An
inscription in Tamil on a rock near the excavated site led to the discovery of
the temple. The rock, lodged in sand, was exposed fully by the tsunami that
struck Mammalapuram on December 26, 2004.

The original temple was damaged severely by what archaeologists think was
a tsunami or a massive tidal wave action. Subsequently, the Pallava kings
converted it into a granite temple in the 8th and 9th century A.D., which too
fell to tidal waves or a tsunami.

Moral policing

Another controversy raged in Tamil Nadu in the last week of September. This
was over certain observations made by film actor Kushboo, published in a
Tamil-language magazine with the findings of a survey on sex-related issues,
including pre-marital sex. The controversy exposed the intolerance, gender
bias and hypocrisy of sections of the State's media and the political class
which, however, lose no opportunity to assert their reformist zeal and
progressive spirit.

The magazine's survey was about the sexual attitude of women and it covered
women in the age group of 18-30 across 11 cities in India. Kushboo begins
her article with the observation that women in Chennai, who so far had been
behind those in Bangalore in the matter of expressing their sexual desires,
were now overcoming sex-related mental blocks. She, however, says that this
openness also raises the question whether this is a healthy trend in a largely
orthodox Indian society. She says that parents, if not teachers, should teach
the basics of sex to children. Expressing herself against "changing boyfriends
every week", she says that sex is not just about the body, but also the mind.
She says that if the girl is convinced of the firmness of her relationship with
her boyfriend, she can go out with him with her parents' permission. She
suggests that parents can permit this if the girl and the boy are "serious" in
their relationship.

Sundara Ramaswamy [1931 - 2005]

One of the most original minds in Tamil literature, Sundara Ramaswamy, died
in the earlier hours of today at a hospital in California in the United States. He
died due to pulmonary fibrosis.

He was 74 and is survived by wife, a son and two daughters.

Sundara Ramaswamy was suffering from a lung ailment, his son Kannan told
News Today from Nagercoil. Kannan is the editor of the firebrand Tamil
literary magazine Kala Chuvadu that Ramaswamy founded several years ago.

Ramaswamy was staying with his daughter in the United States when the end
came at 2 05 a.m. (IST). His body would be flown to his native place Nagercoil
in the next few days for funeral.

Born in a conservative Brahmin family at Nagercoil in 1931, Sundara
Ramasamy took to writing at the age of 20. A writer of sublime skills, both in
terms of ideas as well as use of language, he belonged to the 'school of
critical realism' as his writings reflected his social consciousness.

As one who was rooted in Nagercoil, he brought to his writings a radical
realism of Malayalam literature even while peppering them with natural Tamil
warmth. In some sense, he brought the best of both worlds (Tamil and Kerala)
in his works.

A tale of two cities

After 38 years, a visitor arrives to see how much of Madras has crept into
Chennai.

Madras and Chennai; these are two different places in my mind now and I
have no desire to merge them. Madras, where I lived in the first half of the
1960s. And Chennai, which is what had become when I visited it again after a
gap of 38 years. But how much of my old Madras sneaked into Chennai —
that was something I was keen to find out...

Story: The life saver

Before the advent of male vanity, the local barbershop used to be a regaling
hotspot. The haircut was then a simple ritual to be performed every two
months or so to avoid a barbarous appearance. The client would be too shy
and embarrassed to stare at the mirror and display his interest in himself. All
he would spare was the occasional stealthy glance to ensure that he wasn't
going to look like a drenched rat at the end of it all. Since the barber gave
everybody the same haircut, his practised hand took care of his job without
involving his mind. He used his mental capacity, thus spared, to turn
raconteur and juicy gossipmonger.

Speed Dating Makes Inroads in India [NPR Audio]

Speed dating has taken root in India, mixing traditional and modern ideas
about love. Some of the clientele -- mostly young professionals who can afford
the fee -- are sent by their families to find a partner, while others lie to their
families about what they're doing.

Cross-Cultural (Mis)Understandings with the
Neighbors

Commentator Lori Gottlieb's Indian neighbors seemed to her to be a happily
married couple -- until recently, that is. She thought she heard them fighting,
but it turned out that the wife was just practicing for an acting class. Lori
Gottlieb is the author of Stick Figure.

2007 Diversity Visa Program (DV-2007)

State Department Web site for the 2007 Diversity Visa Program (DV-2007) is
now open. The application submission period for DV-2007 is from 12:00PM
EST (GMT -5) on October 5, 2005 to 12:00PM EST (GMT -5) on December 4,
2005. The application form will only be available for submission during this
period and this period only. Applications will not be accepted through the U.S.
Postal Service.

The 2007 Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery where 50,000 individuals worldwide
will be selected has been formally declared open in Washington, the US
embassy in Colombo said yesterday.

"There are two things born from mountains, shining so brilliantly that the great bow down, driving
darkness from earth circled by roaring waters. One is the flaming sun, single wheel bright as
lightning, the other is Tamil that has no like." — from the taNTiyalankârum [Berkeley Tamil]