tamilweek.com/news-features

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

“I lost my house in Tsunami in 2004 in Kallady. I built the house not with my sweat, but with my blood ” recalls Rajeswary Sithravadivel.

“I took a big loan & built the house,I could not bear it was completely destroyed” says Rajeswary Sithravadivel with tears filled eyes.

She got some help from the Government & an NGO and managed to build a small house in Thiraaimadu, where Tsunami resettlement houses are built.

She got displaced twice in her life-In 1983 from Colombo to Batticaloa after Black July riots & in 1990 from Batticaloa to Colombo.

She went back to Batticaloa in 1996. She works as a minor staff at the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital. Her average monthly income is Rs.18,800/=

Triple sister became widows in 1990.Rajeswary Sithravadivel and her two elder sister’s husbands went missing from Batticaloa in 1990.

“It was a tragedy.All three of us with children had to face the same situation.We consoled each other” says Rajeswary Sithravadivel

At 44 Rajeswary Sithravadivel is still struggling to survive with her daughter.She got her husband’s death certificate after 10 years.

“It was an arranged marriage.My husband was from Velanai in Jaffna.We led a happy married life.When my husband went missing,I was lost”.

“But I have decided to live,because of my daughter.Now she is grown up,she is 21 years-old&I have to find a good job&life partner for her”.

“I have searched for my husband,but found him nowhere.I began to cultivate self-confidence&led my life all alone from 18th June 1990″.

“I raised my daughter alone with so many difficukties,and educated her.She lives a life without father’s love”.

“I have double tragedy in my family,and I wish nobody in the world should face the same situation.It’s heartbreaking!”.

She makes candles&incense sticks at home & sells in order to earn an extra income to support her family&earns monthly Rs.8,000/=-Rs.10,000/=.

She encourages single women to have self-confidence, and work hard. She advices her fellow women not to give up under any circumstances.
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HumanityAshore.org ~ Email: dushi.pillai@gmail.com

Click for latest updates~from the twitter pages of Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

Kaviyarasu Vairamuthu’s song from Tamil movie Minsara Kanavu, featuring slides from Sri Lanka East:

[pictures courtesy of: Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai]

Translation of song from Tamil:

For the rain of love drench the world, lord of lord appeared
Arriving on haystack glittering like a diamond

Sun can’t appear in front of stars but good God the son appears anytime
To wipe off the tears with his blood baby Christ appeared
Good God the son appeared to bloom flowers on the earth ruined by war
Gracious son shed his blood at Calvary Hills to quench the thirst of his children
Light of the World appeared to eradicate darkness of centuries in seconds
Child Christ appeared to change the hard hearted into soft hearted
Prince of peace appeared to change the desert into an oasis

For the rain of love drench the world, lord of lord appeared
Arriving on haystack glittering like a diamond

from movie Minsara Kanavu

By Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

Thiruvempaavai – a ten day worship for Lord Siva begins today, Dec 23rd. Devotees gather at dawn in temples to sing melodious Thiruvempaavai.

This is a penance observed by unmarried girls to get good husbands.They wake up early,go to the streams to have a bath&sing at temples.

Thirukoneswaram – One of the five Eswarams – Sivan temples in Sri Lanka. – more pics

Thiruvempaavai is a part of Thiruvaasagam which was composed in the temple town of Thiruvannaamalai during the Tamil month of Margazhi.

Thiruvempaavai consists of 20 hymns & sung by devotees during the month of December & January. Saint Maanikkavaasagar composed Thiruvaasagam.

Kolam is drawn at the main entrance of the Hindu temple during the Tamil month of Margazhi. It invites the devotees to the temple.

Special rituals are performed & Lord Siva is decorated gorgeously . It adds extra flavour to the cold morning. It’s also known as “Paavai Nonpu”.

Saint Maanikkavaasagar’s life story “Thiru Vathaur Adigal Puranam” is read during the festival at the temple by the devotees.

The month of Margazhi is considered holy & ideal for prayers & meditation. Saint Maanikkavaasagar’s marvelous love flows like honey in his songs.

Chithamparam is famous for Thiruvempaavai.Tenth day celebration is known as “Aaruthraa Thrisanam”. Many travel to Chithamparam witness it.

A slide presentation of Thirukoneswaram, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka; and Thiruvasagam rendered by ‘Isaignani’ Ilaiyaraja, with Budapest Symphony Ochestra

“Thiruvaasagaththitkku Urugaathaar Oru Vaasagaththitkkum Urugaar”- “One who doesn’t melt for Thiruvaasagam, would melt for no other words.”
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HumanityAshore.org ~ Email: dushi.pillai@gmail.com

Click for latest updates~from the twitter pages of Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj

first told

Gen. Sarath Fonseka tell “Daily Mirror” online that it was Def Secy who first told US authorities about alleged killing of LTTE leaders.

blamed army

Sarath Fonseka charges that Gotabhaya Rajapakse in recent media interview had indirectly absolved govt & blamed army for alleged violations.

would defend

Fonseka tells DM that he would defend his troops to the hilt at any international court & will safeguard & stand by the army whatever the cost.

NOT stand by

Fonseka says he would NOT stand by Defence secretary for “war crimes” like allegedly ordering army to disregard surrendees with white flags.

politicised

As I predicted earlier the Rajapakse-Fonseka electoral fight is resulting in negative consequence of Army becoming increasingly politicized.

volunteers

Military Police mounts vigil as a lot of Army deserters are suspected of working as volunteers for the Sarath Fonseka election campaign.

suspects “loyalty”

Rajapakse regime suspects “loyalty” of Gen.Sarath Fonseka’s parent “Sinha” regiment & subjects it to unwarranted internal security measures.

“guarded”

Resentment rises within “Sinhayas Soldiers as Sinha regiment headquarters is now being “guarded” by Military Police on orders from top. [click for updates~twitter.com/dbsjeyaraj]

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

cash

Mahinda Rajapakse attacks Sarath Fonseka indirectly in Anuradhapura by alleging that accepting cash from Prabakharan’s parents is a betrayal

betray

Mahinda says he nor govt will take money from ex-LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran’s parents for any matter & wont betray nation by doing so

incorruptible

What is wrong in getting a “donation” from Praba’s father Velupillai who was a duty-conscious, honest, incorruptible retd govt employee?

fleecing

Real “treachery” is not getting money from Praba’s parents but in fleecing the country through corruption, nepotism & human rights violations

already

The Rajapakse regime doesn’t need pittance from Praba’s parents as the family has already made billions through alleged corrupt deals

including

Mahinda is “attacking” Prabhakaran’s parents because Sarath had said that he was prepared to get support from anyone including Praba’s parents

vilified

Are Mr.& mrs.Velupillai going to be vilified as criminals & traitors simply because Prabhakaran was their son & Sarath Fonseka referred to it

parents

Are parents going to be criminalized & stigmatised for the alleged conduct or misconduct of their children?

DA Rajapakse

If so should DA Rajapakse who was a very honest politician be held responsible posthumously for alleged “corruption” of his “corrupt” sons?

reveal

President Rajapakse must first reveal where LTTE leaders aged parents are & whether govt is detaining them & if so for what alleged offence? [ click for updates ~ twitter.com/dbsjeyaraj ]

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

Black

Season to climb the mountain and worship Lord Iyappan has just begun. Devotees in Black attire are seen on the streets of the East

visa

They have gathered & seen filling up visa application forms on the pavements in Colombo to get the visa to travel to India during the season.

Iyappan temple in Vampivattan, Udappu. It’s believed that, this is the first Iyappan temple to be built in Sri Lanka-pic

spiritual

They are on barefoot & look extremely spiritual. They gather in groups and pray for prosperity.

offering

Devotees at temples are seen giving offering to the Iyappan devotees who will climb the mountain in India.

foot

Lord Iyappan is a Hindu deity. Devotees from around the world climb the Sabarimalai on foot. The season ends in early January.

second

It’s estimated over 50 million devotees climb every year making it the second largest pilgrimage in the world. His weapons are bow and arrow.

love

Young daughter of Leela of Kalari Panicker fell in love with Lord Iyappan. She started to bring food to capture Lord Iyappan’s attention.

liked

When she reached puberty, the family made rice porridge. She took the same rice porridge to Lord Iyappan, and the Lord liked it very much.

favourite

Lord Iyappan asked Leela to bring rice porridge every day. From this day rice porridge became the favourite offering to Lord Iyappan.

Tiger

Lord Iyappan’s divine vehicle is Tiger. Each devotee carries a cloth bundle called “Madi Pichchai” which contains traditional offerings.

open

Sabarimalai Iyappan temple is open to men. And to women who’ve either passed their fertility age & those before reaching the age of puberty.

divine

18 divine steps to the sanctum is divine in all aspects. Devotees have to fast for 41 days and carry the “Madi Pichchai” on their heads.

symbol

The Sabarimalai pilgrimage is a symbol of love, equality & devotion. The steps are steep. The temple has a magnificent view of the valley & mountains.

fasting

Devotees have to avoid using pillow, mattress, perfumes & footwear during the fasting. Men have to wear loin cloth & women have to wear black.

parents

Lord Iyappan loves his parents & expects the same from his devotees. Iyappan devotees meet & greet each other “Swamy Saranam”.

souls

It is believed devotees surrender their souls to the Supreme Power is Sabari Hills. Devotees are expected to be humble & helpful to each other.

estimated

It’s estimated over 50 million devotees climb every year making it the second largest pilgrimage in the world after Haj in Mecca.

elevation

The temple is situated at an elevation of 4,135 feet above sea level.

devoted

Harivarasanam by K.J. Yesudas

My favourite singer K.J. Yesudas is a humble devotee of Lord Iyappan. He has devoted numerous songs to Lord Iyappan.

Click for latest updates~from the twitter pages of Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai