Govt ropes in Tamil Diaspora
Ananth PALAKIDNAR
The representatives of the Tamil Diaspora for peace and development activities have expressed their support to the Government in its initiatives in the rehabilitation and reconstruction activities of the North and East, at a top level discussion that began in Mount Lavinia yesterday.
Around twenty five representatives from seven countries, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Norway, Germany, Switzerland and France coordinated by Dr. Noel Nadesan of Australia participated at the first ever interaction program between the Government and the Tamil Diaspora, under the theme, ‘Diaspora Dialogue’ - let us join hands for the future development of infrastructure, education, agriculture, fisheries, tourism and other sectors in the North and East.
The first session was chaired by the Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama yesterday with the participation of Ministers Prof. Tissa Vitharana, Dew Gunasekera, Member of Parliament and Presidential Advisor, Basil Rajapaksa, Foreign Secretary, Dr. Palitha Kohona and Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga representing the Government.
The Tamil group was briefed by the Foreign Minister on the overall situation in the North and East and on the extensive plans to be put forward by the Government to initiate rehabilitation and reconstruction activities. Political, military and the economic aspects of the North and East were also discussed. The representatives who are now in Colombo for the two day discussion were former members of various Tamil militant outfits and moderates who had been voicing against the war and violence in the North and East and pleading for a amicable political solution in the North and East while residing abroad for the past several years.
thesundayobserver.lk
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
URGENT STEPS TO REMOVE THE HUGE SUFFERINGS OF TAMIL CIVILIANS!!!
From paws to pause: Giving peace a chance........ Koththa Malli
My dear Mahinda Aiya,
Ayubowan, vanakkam and assalamu alaikkum and best wishes on this April Fool’s Day with questions as to how long some people could continue to fool others and who is fooling whom. Cliché’s apart, there are also questions whether fools are rushing in where angels fear to tread and what dreadful consequences we might see in the coming days and weeks before the National New Year.
On the battle front in the North and the international diplomatic and economic battle fronts major issues or questions continued to erupt last week. On Friday despite efforts by the government to counter such moves, the United Nations Security Council got a briefing on the crisis in Lanka and the possible humanitarian catastrophe that looms over some 200,000 displaced civilians. The Security Council issued a call – strongly backed by the United States and Britain for what it called a “humanitarian pause” or cessation of hostilities mainly to rescue the displaced civilians from their hell holes where they are reported to be facing crossfire daily from both sides. The moves by US and Britain came after the influential US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry, a former presidential candidate warned the Sri Lankan government to act fast in solving the humanitarian crisis. The British parliament also took up the Sri Lankan issue which some MPs calling for the suspension of Sri Lanka from the Commonwealth. Sri Lanka has also been blasted and blacklisted by the United Nations Human Rights High Commission with its Chief Navaneetham Pillay saying both the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government may be liable to face war crimes charges. Although government leaders are attacking and dismissing her as “that Pillay nona”, the UNHRC is known to have wide influence and power and Sri Lanka may face dire consequences. Another international blast on Sri Lanka came from the widely respected New York based Committee for the Protection of Journalists. It placed Sri Lanka as No: 4, in its list of shame for killings or abductions of journalists and the cases being left unresolved. No: 1, in this list is Iraq, No: 2 Sierra Leone and No: 3 Somalia leaving Sri Lanka in dubious if not notorious company.
On the economic front a veil of secrecy was placed over the crucial talks with the once detested IMF to obtain a life-saving loan of some 1.9 billion US dollars. Independent economic analysts and opposition critics are saying the government may have to agree to various conditions including a significant devaluation of the rupee, a slashing of the public sector. An opposition MP said the UNP might also ask the IMF to insist that the Cabinet be slashed from 110 to 25 and that other extravagant spending sprees of the government be cancelled. On Sunday opposition UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe – who worked out a counter coup to defeat a revolt in his party last Tuesday, said many leaders and people overseas thought Sri Lanka had 110 members in parliament. They were shocked to hear that it was not parliament but this small country’s Cabinet which has some 110 Ministers of something or the other and that it costs more than 500 million rupees a month to maintain them and their staff.
With the state media highlighting one side of a highly exaggerated story, replete with lies, damn lies and statistics, most parties and groups appear to be facing a crisis within crisis and division within division. Tragically this appears to have hit a church also. Last week the three Catholic Bishops of Jaffna, Mannar and Anuradhapura along with the Anglican Bishops of Colombo and Kurunegala issued a statement on the humanitarian crisis or possible catastrophe for the innocent people of the North. But the statement was not signed by nine of the 12 Catholic Bishops and it appeared that the problem was the lack of a prophetic voice to speak out in the name of a suffering people. This silence of the graveyard is probably a sign of the times when the institutional church is being dragged back to the pre Vatican Council 2 era where it was largely a case of the participation of the people in the confusion of the priest.
The five Bishops in their statement said as religious leaders, they were extremely concerned about the deteriorating plight of the civilians who were still trapped in the Vanni.
The immediate and absolutely urgent need is to recognize that this is a very critical humanitarian crisis faced by fellow Sri Lankans. The needs of food, water, health, sanitation, shelter and, above all, physical security of these our sisters and brothers and children need to be addressed without delay. From all independent reports available, the plight of these trapped civilians has become desperate. These are people who over the past several years have lived under severe deprivations and restrictions and have in recent months been displaced several times over. The Bishops urged that all sides recognize the helplessness and powerlessness of these desperate Sri Lankans to change their circumstances or voice their fears and concerns. They appeal to all concerned to set aside debates on secondary issues and take immediate steps to alleviate the suffering of the people.
The Bishops appeal to all parties, in the name of our religions and in the name of our common humanity, to have the humility and the courage to agree to the following:
Continue steady food supplies through the World Food Programme as long as is necessary.
Continue the ferrying of the sick and injured persons through the ICRC to hospitals that are in a position to provide the necessary personnel and medicines to treat these people.
Negotiate and evacuate all civilians who wish to leave the conflict-zone. For this purpose, a temporary cessation of fighting be agreed upon to enable this evacuation.
So with government spokesmen also saying they would be ready for a humanitarian pause, there is some hope for a peaceful New Year.
My dear Mahinda Aiya,
Ayubowan, vanakkam and assalamu alaikkum and best wishes on this April Fool’s Day with questions as to how long some people could continue to fool others and who is fooling whom. Cliché’s apart, there are also questions whether fools are rushing in where angels fear to tread and what dreadful consequences we might see in the coming days and weeks before the National New Year.
On the battle front in the North and the international diplomatic and economic battle fronts major issues or questions continued to erupt last week. On Friday despite efforts by the government to counter such moves, the United Nations Security Council got a briefing on the crisis in Lanka and the possible humanitarian catastrophe that looms over some 200,000 displaced civilians. The Security Council issued a call – strongly backed by the United States and Britain for what it called a “humanitarian pause” or cessation of hostilities mainly to rescue the displaced civilians from their hell holes where they are reported to be facing crossfire daily from both sides. The moves by US and Britain came after the influential US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry, a former presidential candidate warned the Sri Lankan government to act fast in solving the humanitarian crisis. The British parliament also took up the Sri Lankan issue which some MPs calling for the suspension of Sri Lanka from the Commonwealth. Sri Lanka has also been blasted and blacklisted by the United Nations Human Rights High Commission with its Chief Navaneetham Pillay saying both the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government may be liable to face war crimes charges. Although government leaders are attacking and dismissing her as “that Pillay nona”, the UNHRC is known to have wide influence and power and Sri Lanka may face dire consequences. Another international blast on Sri Lanka came from the widely respected New York based Committee for the Protection of Journalists. It placed Sri Lanka as No: 4, in its list of shame for killings or abductions of journalists and the cases being left unresolved. No: 1, in this list is Iraq, No: 2 Sierra Leone and No: 3 Somalia leaving Sri Lanka in dubious if not notorious company.
On the economic front a veil of secrecy was placed over the crucial talks with the once detested IMF to obtain a life-saving loan of some 1.9 billion US dollars. Independent economic analysts and opposition critics are saying the government may have to agree to various conditions including a significant devaluation of the rupee, a slashing of the public sector. An opposition MP said the UNP might also ask the IMF to insist that the Cabinet be slashed from 110 to 25 and that other extravagant spending sprees of the government be cancelled. On Sunday opposition UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe – who worked out a counter coup to defeat a revolt in his party last Tuesday, said many leaders and people overseas thought Sri Lanka had 110 members in parliament. They were shocked to hear that it was not parliament but this small country’s Cabinet which has some 110 Ministers of something or the other and that it costs more than 500 million rupees a month to maintain them and their staff.
With the state media highlighting one side of a highly exaggerated story, replete with lies, damn lies and statistics, most parties and groups appear to be facing a crisis within crisis and division within division. Tragically this appears to have hit a church also. Last week the three Catholic Bishops of Jaffna, Mannar and Anuradhapura along with the Anglican Bishops of Colombo and Kurunegala issued a statement on the humanitarian crisis or possible catastrophe for the innocent people of the North. But the statement was not signed by nine of the 12 Catholic Bishops and it appeared that the problem was the lack of a prophetic voice to speak out in the name of a suffering people. This silence of the graveyard is probably a sign of the times when the institutional church is being dragged back to the pre Vatican Council 2 era where it was largely a case of the participation of the people in the confusion of the priest.
The five Bishops in their statement said as religious leaders, they were extremely concerned about the deteriorating plight of the civilians who were still trapped in the Vanni.
The immediate and absolutely urgent need is to recognize that this is a very critical humanitarian crisis faced by fellow Sri Lankans. The needs of food, water, health, sanitation, shelter and, above all, physical security of these our sisters and brothers and children need to be addressed without delay. From all independent reports available, the plight of these trapped civilians has become desperate. These are people who over the past several years have lived under severe deprivations and restrictions and have in recent months been displaced several times over. The Bishops urged that all sides recognize the helplessness and powerlessness of these desperate Sri Lankans to change their circumstances or voice their fears and concerns. They appeal to all concerned to set aside debates on secondary issues and take immediate steps to alleviate the suffering of the people.
The Bishops appeal to all parties, in the name of our religions and in the name of our common humanity, to have the humility and the courage to agree to the following:
Continue steady food supplies through the World Food Programme as long as is necessary.
Continue the ferrying of the sick and injured persons through the ICRC to hospitals that are in a position to provide the necessary personnel and medicines to treat these people.
Negotiate and evacuate all civilians who wish to leave the conflict-zone. For this purpose, a temporary cessation of fighting be agreed upon to enable this evacuation.
So with government spokesmen also saying they would be ready for a humanitarian pause, there is some hope for a peaceful New Year.
LTTE SPOKESMAN: STOP KILLING INNOCENT CIVILIANS!!! WE ARE READY FOR DIALOGUE AND POLITICAL SOLUTION!!!
Apply adequate pressure on Colombo for ceasefire and negotiations: LTTE
[TamilNet, Tuesday, 31 March 2009, 01:09 GMT]
The LTTE is not a movement believing that war is the only means to achieve the aspirations of the people it represents. But, political solution needs an environment conducive to it. The IC can play a positive role by adequately pressurizing Colombo for ceasefire and by promoting negotiations between GoSL and the LTTE as equal partners with due recognition, said Selvaraja Pathmanathan, the LTTE plenipotentiary for international relations, in an interview to TamilNet on Monday. On the issue of civilians, Mr. Pathmanathan said they have already asked the IC, what international instruments now hold GoSL accountable for the denial of basic rights of the people already moved and presently living in the internment camps.
Pathmanathan’s interview was a summary of the LTTE’s endorsed position on the current situation.
S. Pathmanathan, Head of LTTE's International Diplomatic Relations“No amount of international concerns or guarantees had enabled the Sri Lanka government to provide a swift and just solution for the displaced in the past”, Pathmanathan said, citing the examples of the people of Valikaamam, Jaffna, in camps for 19 years and the people of Ma’nalaaru and Thiriyaay in the East for 14 years.
“It is unrealistic to expect that the people of Vanni who have shown allegiance to the LTTE will be treated any differently or with justice”, he said.
While insisting that the IC should ensure adequate food and medicine to the civilians of Vanni in the safe zone as a priority, Pathmanathan said that such a humanitarian response is an important step, but band-aid solution will not deal with actual grievances of the people.
Responding to the human-shield accusation, he said that they were people living with the LTTE, sought protection from the LTTE and always chose to move towards LTTE, even when they were displaced and had chances to go to Colombo’s side. “ LTTE has a moral responsibility to protect them”, he said adding that people should not be coerced to leave their place of choice by denial of food and medicine and by continuously placing them under shelling.
Laying down arms before any political solution is unrealistic, he told TamilNet, pointing to the Sri Lankan context where the government has built up a brutal force and the peaceful demands of the Tamils in the past have always been met with violence of the Sri Lankan forces.
“It is wrong to assume that the versatile and resilient LTTE is in a weakened position”, he said.
Looking upon Tamil Nadu as an emotional and geographical base for Eezham Tamils in any fall back and appreciating the support of the people of Tamil Nadu, Pathmanathan said that the Tamils who have genuine sympathy for India have never been opposed to its strategic interests.
On the uprisings of the diaspora, Pathmanathan foresees further strengthening and resoluteness, if there is escalation in the aggression of Colombo. The right to self-determination is of paramount importance to the diaspora and it has clearly recognized the role of LTTE in any solution to the conflict, he said adding that diaspora should be given with a chance of being heard by the IC.
Full text of the interview with the head of LTTE's International Diplomatic Relations follows:
TamilNet: How do you view the response of the International Community to the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the intense war in Vanni?
Mr. Pathmanathan: It is apparent that the international community has been observing the developing situation in Sri Lanka with greater interest. However the responses from them to address the situation to find tangible solutions need to be more persuasive. Today, thousands of Tamils are under siege by the Sri Lankan armed forces in Vanni. Their circumstances are dire. Having been subjected to an intense war during the recent months their day-to-day existential situation has become acute with shortage for potable water, food and medicine and extremely inadequate sanitation.
Medical facilities and health services have become over stretched with the needs of the large population and the multitude of war related injuries. The number of people affected by psychological disorders and trauma has multiplied several folds due to the constant fear of shelling and bombing, particularly the children and women. Severe malnutrition is taking a toll on children, pregnant and lactating mothers, elders and sick. The people are becoming increasingly vulnerable to even simple and treatable ailments such as diarrhea, high fever, malaria and diabetes.
The International Community can do two things at this juncture. The first is to apply adequate pressure on the Government to enter into a ceasefire with the Tigers. The second is to ensure that adequate food and medicines are sent into the conflict areas.
While humanitarian response is an important step in the current climate, addressing that alone without addressing the long term and fundamental issues will only provide a band aid solution and not deal with the actual grievances of the people.
TamilNet: How do you view the role of the IC in finding a negotiated settlement?
Pathmanathan: LTTE clearly identifies the importance of the International Community and is open to wider engagements.
LTTE is representing the rightful aspirations of the people, as mandated by them, and as a freedom movement spearheading the Tamil struggle for decades. It is important that the international community recognizes this.
It is only when the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE are engaged in a constructive manner, a lasting solution could be found to the conflict, satisfying the needs and aspirations of our people.
The International Community should play a positive role promoting a conducive environment for negotiations to take place between the GoSL and the LTTE, as equal partners with due recognition.
TamilNet: Despite the upsurge of sentiments against Colombo's war, the Indian government has been continuing its support, including military assistance, to the Sri Lankan government. How do you read the current developments in India?
Pathmanathan: We are grateful that the people of Tamil Nadu have expressed so much solidarity with Eelam Tamils. These are true feelings of the people without any political or vested interests. It gives us solace to know that our brethren across the sea are one with us in our time of grief and sorrow. The sentiments and emotions poured out by the people of Tamil Nadu, and the cries of the Tamils in the island, are bound to reach the hearts of the Government of India.
The cultural affinity of the people across the Palk Strait has historically been strong. Whenever our people were attacked and killed their first choice of refuge has been India. Eezham Tamils have always looked to the people of India and the Government of India with genuine sympathy.
The Tamil people have never been opposed to the strategic concerns of India. Furthermore, it has been their expectation that the Indian government would extend its support to their national aspirations.
TamilNet: Some members of the IC have urged the LTTE to consider negotiations to lay down its weapons, which is practically interpreted as nothing else than calling for a surrender. What is your opinion on this?
Pathmanathan: Historically, there has never been a precedence of asking a freedom movement to lay down its arms before a political resolution has been reached. This is particularly pertinent to Sri Lanka where all peaceful demands for the rights of the Tamil people have historically been met with violence, intimidation and brutality by the Sri Lankan forces.
The Tamil youth were compelled to wage an armed struggle only when all political and democratic processes to redress the injustices against Tamils had failed. The LTTE plays a paramount role leading the struggle against the oppressor, the Sri Lankan Sinhala rulers, to defend the rights of the Tamil people.
The war machinery built up by the government of Sri Lanka is a brutal and indiscriminatory force.
To expect the LTTE to lay down the arms before any political solution has been reached is not realistic.
TamilNet: Colombo, and its military negate the call for ceasefire by arguing that it would provide an opportunity for the LTTE to re-group, strengthen and come out of its 'weakened position'. What is your response?
Pathmanathan: The LTTE’s insistence of a ceasefire is purely from a humanitarian perspective, to give relief and respite for the people caught in the conflict.
It is a myth that LTTE had built up its military capacity during the ceasefire. Looking at it carefully it will become evident that the Sri Lankan government was the one that militarily strengthened itself during the 6 year ceasefire between 2002 and 2008 and not the LTTE.
If you observe the history of the conflict, the LTTE was strong during periods of conflict. The battles for Mullaiththeevu, Ki'linochchi, Elephant pass and the Sri Lankan Operation Jayasikuru were all fought and reversed when the Sri Lankan Government had an upper hand.
It is wrong to assume that the LTTE is in a weakened position. LTTE is a versatile and resilient movement. Control of territory has constantly changed hands during the past thirty years of war. Several examples of reversals have been witnessed in the past. To believe that the LTTE is a spent force is not correct.
LTTE is not a movement that believes that war is the only means by which the aspirations of our people should be met. We strongly believe in a political solution. However, to reach a political solution, there needs be a conducive environment. It is only in this background can a meaningful dialogue be held. However, if the Government of Sri Lanka insists on war, the LTTE will be forced to the inevitability of defending its people. It is in the interest of the Sri Lanka government to engage politically with the LTTE to bring a lasting solution to the conflict so that both the Tamil and Sinhala communities can live in peace in the island. A prolonged war is not only against the interest of the people’s welfare but is also economically un-sustainable for the Sri Lankan state.
TamilNet: What do you have to say to those who argue that the Tigers are holding civilians as human shield?
Pathmanathan: The LTTE is not holding the people against their will. The Tamil people have lived with us in the areas that were under our governance and have moved with us in the recent displacements seeking our protection. LTTE has the moral responsibility to protect the people.
The people of Vanni are fully aware of the mistreatment that has been meted out to them historically by the Sri Lankan military and other Sri Lankan instruments whenever Tamils were displaced. They still have painful memories of the Kokkaddichchoalai massacre, Batticaloa Oo'ra'ni massacre, Polonnaruwa Mayilanthanai massacre, homicides in Allaippiddi and Vangkaalai and of Chemma'ni mass graves. No amount of international concerns or guarantees had enabled the Sri Lankan government to provide a swift and just solution for the displaced in the past.
The people of Valikaamam in the Jaffna peninsula continue to lament in transit camps some 19 years after their homes were occupied by the military. The people of Ma'nalaa'ru and Thiriyaay continue to suffer in makeshift camps in the East after 14 years of displacement. The situation is similar for the people displaced from Vaakarai and Moothoor after Colombo's offensive in the East. In this context, it is unrealistic to expect that the people of Vanni who have shown their allegiance to the LTTE will be treated any differently or with justice.
In our discussions with the international community we had queried the international instruments that can be used to hold the Government of Sri Lanka accountable for the people who moved from Vanni and are now living in camps in Vavuniyaa. Even the sick and injured have been denied their basic human rights.
It has been the choice of the people to remain where they are. It is the intimidatory tactics and the constant shelling of the people living in the “safety zones” that could compell the people consider leaving the area under pressure of survival, against their will. These people should not be coerced into leaving their place of shelter by denying them the necessary food and medical assistance and by continuously placing them in imminent danger.
TamilNet: World over the Tamil Diaspora in very large numbers has exhibited their solidarity with the people caught in the conflict. Do you see an increased role for the Diaspora in years to come in determining the political future of Tamils in Sri Lanka?
Pathmanathan: In recent events, the Tamil Diaspora unlike at any other time has expressed their solidarity with their brethren in their homeland in huge numbers. This is a reflection of the increased violence perpetrated by the Sri Lankan military machinery and the denial of rights by the GoSL. It is increasingly apparent that any increase in aggression by Sri Lanka against the Tamils will only further strengthen the resoluteness of the Diaspora to stand against the dehumanizing treatment.
The Diaspora has always played an important role in the history of our struggle and has been an important instrument in highlighting the existential ground reality in an otherwise blacked out war that has no witnesses.
The Diaspora’s role in engaging the international community to creatively and positively contribute to the solution of the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka is clear. This will only increase in the future. The Diaspora after thirty plus years is also becoming more integrated in their countries of residence and getting more involved with taking part in mainstream activities. This too has implications for the way in which they relate to the conflict in Sri Lanka.
The Diaspora feels strongly that the international community has to give them a chance and hear their opinion for the solution of the conflict in Sri Lanka. The international community needs to assure the Diaspora that their opinion is being taken into account. Recent resolutions passed in Diaspora gatherings have clearly recognized the role of LTTE in any solution to the conflict and that the right to self determination of the Tamils is paramount.
TamilNet URL: http://www.tamilnet.com email: tamilnet@tamilnet.com
GANDHI: SPRITUAL MIND TOWARDS TRUTH AND GOD!!!
From: M. Nandakumar
To: Keralites
Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2009 6:27:39 PM
Subject: [www.keralites.net] THE FOURTH GREAT 'G' OF INDIA
THE FOURTH GREAT ‘G’ OF INDIA
Gita (the great Bhagwad Gita), Ganga (Mother Ganges, the Holy River) and Gayatri (the greatest of all mantras) had been identified as the three great ‘G’s of India by Gurus of yesteryears as per our ancient scriptures.
As we all know very well, this identification is more than justified as have been believed and practiced by Indians for centuries. Bhagwad Gita has been, is, and will be the single-most acceptable and revered script of all times in the whole spiritual world, irrespective of religion, language or race. Likewise, Mother Ganga, in spite of the filth and sins presented to Her by Her offspring throughout centuries, still retains Her unique holiness and beauty. And thirdly, Gayatri mantra can or will never be replaced by anything else, at any period of time.
Now, my readers might have started wondering about the fourth great ‘G’ of India, apart from those considered by our scriptures. Yes, for us, who live in modern India in these modern times, we have one more ‘G’ to remember and revere. In spite of all the concepts and misconcepts, silence and arguments, agreements and differences, good and bad, light and darkness surrounding our country and its people, Gandhiji, the father of our nation will be considered by one and all as one of the greatest saints of the recent past. He is the fourth great ‘G’ of India for us and our children to hold and revere.
While this writer lived and worked outside India, it was a matter of grief to know that the outsiders have taken more interest and pains to know about Gandhiji than his ungrateful compatriots. To be precise, I should confess, it was only after traveling outside India that I could feel the inadequacy of what we know and what we have been teaching our children about Gandhiji. It is absurd, to say the least; it is insufficient, considering the gratitude we Indians owe to this great saint of our times, for what we are today and what we have; the most precious of all our belongings, the freedom; the freedom to live a decent and respectful life, the freedom to talk your heart out; the freedom to know and spread knowledge.
But alas, we have never realized the value of freedom; we have never realized the pains and sacrifices of our ancestors who led us to this state of freedom that we enjoy today. We will never, ever be able to realize it because we have not lived in slavery and we got our freedom for nothing. This is the reason why we do not use this freedom positively and do not consider it precious-enough.
In spite of what I have stated above about our inadequate gratitude to Gandhiji, countless words have been spoken and written about him during the last half-a-century in India and abroad, by Indians and others alike. I do not consider myself qualified to add anything to it or argue about any of it, but my objective here is to remember a few important messages (or warnings, to be precise), that the fourth great ‘G’ of India gave us during his life time. In the following pages, I will try to examine these warnings, which bear evidence to his prophecy, and how we have, in utter negligence and disregard to them, messed our lives up.
Looking back to the last 50 years in the history of our country, and of the whole world, following can be considered as the most important message Gandhiji left for his children:
The things that would destroy us are:
Politics without principle;
Pleasure without conscience;
Wealth without work;
Knowledge without character;
Business without morality;
Science without humanity, and
Worship without sacrifice.
POLITICS WITHOUT PRINCIPLE:
Now, having seen many so-called ‘democratic’ governments after our independence in 1947, most of my readers will probably agree with me that ‘principle’ is the last thing one can connect with ‘politics’. It is a pity that a country like India, which can boast of political and philosophical guidance to the whole world, suffers from the chronic disease of ‘negative politicization’ in every walk of life. Every relationship, every organization, every family and even every individual is politicized in modern India. It has come to the grave situation that if someone falls unconscious in a busy street, most of his compatriots will prefer to be just bystanders and will not get involved in the ‘long’ process of legal formalities that could follow the humanitarian gesture of carrying a wounded fellow countryman to hospital. If anyone is wondering what this has to do with politics, let me make it clear that it is the politicization of human mind, political interference in the process of law enforcement, and political separatism that contribute much in creating this kind of selfishness in the minds of present-day Indians. This politics-born virus has actually not only affected the society, but has got an entry into families, and also in to the minds of individuals. On the other hand, politics dominates most of the important areas affecting our day-to-day life, like education, bureaucracy and even medical treatment.
Is this the India Mahatma Gandhi and our other freedom fighters dreamed of when they sacrificed their precious lives to get us this freedom? Is this the Ramarajya Gandhiji visualized when he fought the British all his life? There is no doubt about one thing: We have not only forgotten Gandhiji, but have also utterly disregarded his visions and warnings. It is too late, but still we should find some time to know Gandhiji and the principles he upheld in life. This will make us better Indians who remember yesterdays, and this will also help in leading us and India to a better tomorrow. Let us forget about all those negative things in Gandhiji’s life we have always showed keen interest in arguing on, and look at the various experiments on Truth for which he devoted his whole life. Gandhiji never opted himself for any political or ministerial positions, and had no intention to do so; but there are many instances that show his thorough knowledge of politics and, most clearly, his farsightedness. It is high time that the common man of India take Gandhiji’s teachings seriously, or very soon they will knowingly or unknowingly allow today’s unscrupulous politicians to bring back slavery; a slavery from which another Gandhi may not be there to save them. Gandhiji’s words that ‘politics without principle will destroy us’ are coming true very fast.
PLEASURE WITHOUT CONSCIENCE:
What is the first and foremost aim of human life? Many of us do not take time to think about this important question. Even if some do at some point of time, they do not take it really serious. Even for the few who give it a serious thought, more often than not, it is a puzzle as the endless answers to the question get entangled and make them more confused. Some of us satisfy ourselves with the answer that life is for all these things that we usually do. Some others try to be content with the concept that the secrets of life are beyond the reach of man. Some even deny themselves a chance to think about it, as they believe that God created man with a pre-defined plan of action for each individual during this short span of life. The truth of the matter is that we can not write off any of these opinions. All of them are justified, in their own circumstances, to believe in what they do; their opinions are derived from their own experiences in life and the ways in which they are brought up. Nevertheless, a generally acceptable and justifiable answer to the above question becomes inevitable, since it will help all the people for all the times. Our ancestors had given much thought on it and came up with a truly beautiful and commonly acceptable answer: Life is to be happy and make others happy. I can understand the doubtful look on many faces. Is it possible for man to be always happy? May be, No. But if that is the case, we should also not doubt the conclusion of our ancestors; on the contrary, we should try and find the reason for our being unhappy.
First of all, what is happiness? Is it the same happiness that we feel when we achieved something in life? Is it the same happiness that we experience when we find an oasis after a long trek in the desert? Is it something like the feeling we get when we get some bite and water after going on a fast for days? Is it the happiness some of us boast of achieving by getting intoxicated? The answer is NO, because all these bits and pieces of happiness or the feeling we call happiness, are just conditional feelings or sensory perceptions of happiness, or only a state of mind for a short period of time. The difference between the real happiness, or bliss, and these tiny bits and pieces is that the former is an eternal, endless and full feeling of goodness and peace, whereas the latter are momentary and prone to change with changing conditions. We can now understand the mistake we have been committing. We were taking the conditional happiness as real happiness, and have been running after the momentary pleasures in life. This is exactly what Gandhiji means when he warns us that pleasure without conscience will destroy us. It is in this spiritual context that we should try to understand the meaning of his words. We, knowingly or unknowingly, destroy our own lives for these conditional, momentary pleasures which we conveniently prefer to call happiness. This not only stops us from leading a really happy and peaceful life, but also keeps us in dark as to the eternal bliss and peace, which are our legitimate human rights. Beloved Papa Swami Ramdas prompts us thus:
“The object of your life is to be happy yourself and give happiness to others. In fact, real delight consists in so adjusting your life as to make it yield joy to others. If you have faith in God, use this faith in cultivating patience and equanimity. Faith always goes with cheerfulness, resignation and peace. Be childlike--not childish--be blissful and a free child of God. Reveal your innate divine nature, and diffuse around you always love and joy.”
This is the real pleasure we should hunt for. This is the pleasure with conscience; all other pleasures are conditional, and so, momentary and those are the pleasures Gandhiji mentioned as “pleasure without conscience”. Conscience is, in short, “the awareness of totality” and not the fragments of awareness we usually tend to call “conscience”. If we get ‘stuck up’ with these fragments of awareness, or the delights and pleasures attached to them, we can never be aware of the ‘totality’ or ‘poornam’. And without knowing life in its totality, no man has ever achieved the eternal bliss and peace. So, do not destroy ourselves, do not destroy this precious human life; find the internal happiness inherent in all of us and lead a life of tranquility and peace. This is the timeless message from our great Gandhiji.
WEALTH WITHOUT WORK:
This is another powerful enemy who will destroy mankind. Rather I should not put it in the future tense; this is the enemy who has been destroying us and is still doing so. But unfortunately, most of us have not realized the gravity of disasters, the amount of destruction that this enemy can bring to human life. Like Swami Vivekananda once pointed out “it is the gun in the policeman’s hand that retains us as what we are”. If it was not for the laws of the land, most of us would be thieves and criminals. The discipline, which has to come from within, which has to come from “dharmabodham” is nowhere to be seen. Given a chance, most of ‘kaliyugamanava’ will prefer to just lay back and relax, at the expense and hard work of others. We have been seeing this and we still do. This is because of our lust, our anxiety to accumulate wealth, not through our own hard work, but at the cost of our fellowmen’s sweat.
God has created the universe in such a way that it has everything for every living being, be it man, animal or plants. No living being has to starve, none has to undergo such sufferings as we see today, if only man had understood the meaning of Gandhiji’s words. Every living being works for its survival – for the food, shelter and other amenities. That is the way world should be. But because of a few lustful among humans, there happened to be imbalance; the have’s and have-not’s; the more enterprising lot then derived their own philosophies and ‘ism’s as they are now popularly known, based on the have’s and havenot’s and themselves became millionaires. There again, we conveniently left out one category. Not the haves, nor the have-not’s, the ones “who did not want”; the ones who denounced the worldly pleasures, who denounced all the wealth that others strived for. They are the ones who really found the actual wealth and actual worth. They were the ones who left a treasure of knowledge for mankind, through their tireless experiments and experiences with Truth. Gandhiji was one of them.
Coming back to our subject, there is one simple example of destruction brought by “wealth without work”. An example that all of us can easily understand; an example that all of us should be aware of. This example is more relevant to people in the family way of life, the grihasthhashramis. They have a family, they have their commitments, their children. One of the foremost needs in their life is, and should be, to give proper education to their children. All these are very well understood. With the amount of money involved in giving education these days, it is, of-course, a Herculean task. However, my mind is now set on those who have only one aim in their life – to accumulate worldly wealth. The wealth which they do not use during their own life time. These accumulation then passes on to the next generation. The only education the next generation gets is to accumulate wealth and they pass on the same to their children. These are the children who mostly tend to become anti-socials. I can not forget the few who use their wealth for purposes that involve society; for good purposes and deeds. But they are only the exceptional ones. The majority, who do not get a chance to know the difficulty in acquiring the wealth, misuse it and become a nuisance to society as a whole.
The one thing that grihasthhashramis should always keep in mind is that the best wealth they can give to their children is education and ethics. The more and more worldly wealth they leave for their children, more is the danger of their becoming anti-socials. In order for this, children should be educated in such a way that they do their own work to achieve their own needs. First of all, it is not the worldly wealth that counts to be a human, it is the humanity itself; it is the way one lives his life. Being rich or being poor does not make much or any difference in one’s understanding of life. And this understanding of life in its totality, and living in eternal happiness and peace is what man should strive for. Not worldly wealth, not wealth without work.
KNOWLEDGE WITHOUT CHARACTER:
Knowledge in this context is not the real knowledge or Jnana in its spiritual point of view, but vidya. The knowledge Gandhiji mentions is again the worldly knowledge or the knowledge one achieve through practice and experience in the worldly sciences. It is clearly understood in Kaliyuga because we have many a ‘knowledgeable’ person in many of our branches of science, but to find one with character is seldom. How does it become an enemy to humanity is also easy to understand. We know many good artists, who, owing to their lack of character, use their knowledge for anti-social purposes. We know people who make fake currency notes; we know people who create varieties of bombs and other destructive weapons; we know scientists who spend their lives researching and developing mass destruction weapons; we also know knowledgeable people who can use this knowledge to cheat us. So, having knowledge is one thing and using it properly is another. In order to make use of the knowledge for one’s own benefit and for the benefit of others, one ought to have good character. This is something which can be developed only through the influence of parents. Character-building has to begin at home, not at school or in the outside world. The character built at home undergoes continued development at school and in the outside world, but the seed must be sown at home, by parents and elders. In order for the child to inherit this wealth of character from its parents, first of all, the parents should have it. This is where we have a big hitch in today’s society. Our way of life today does not include character-building for ourselves or for our children. Our educational system, which is again controlled by the people of today’s characterless way of life, does not allow development of the students’ character. The outside world, of-course, is out of question because it is full of things that will help ruin whatever character one has.
Just imagine the heap of murders, rapes and other crimes we read about in newspapers; imagine those murderers, rapists and other criminals as just human beings. They are as much human beings as we all are, but there is a difference. The difference is character. All these criminals definitely have or had their parents – a father and a mother each. That is for sure because no human being comes to this earth spontaneously; (I am aware of the fast development of genetic sciences and the scientists’ ability to produce human forms through various other means. But here, we are not talking about exceptions, we are just considering the society as we know it). So, we can not but blame those parents for what their children are today. I agree that it is not only the parents, but the parents do have a great deal to do in character building of their offspring. While on this subject, we can not also miss the point that the change of our joint family system has had its bad effects. For whatever reasons we may have settled down to nuclear families, it is a bitter truth that it has a lot to tell upon the character of our children. Another important point I should not leave untouched is the system of marriage. We have adopted to such a system that does not attach any importance to a man’s or woman’s character. I should be pardoned if I say that we have more or less become similar to cats and dogs, who, on attaining physical maturity, produce children and leave them to their own societies. Is human nature that of cats and dogs? No way. We are not like them. We are intelligent and should show this intelligence and knowledge to lead a better life of tranquility and peace. Just attaining physical maturity should not be considered as enough qualification for humans to get married and produce children. In such a case, it is only the carnal desires that prevail in a relationship. Both men and women, while tying the knot, should be aware that their children will be part of tomorrow’s society and should be brought up in such a way that they will benefit themselves, their family and the society as a whole. So, marriage should not be just for the individuals, but also for society. Without this awareness, we can not build or develop character in ourselves or in our children.
There is a famous saying in English:
If wealth is lost, nothing is lost;
If health is lost, something is lost;
If CHARACTER is lost, EVERYTHING is lost.
Let us not lose everything by losing our characters. That is the real wealth. And that is the real worth. We can send our children to the best available school and get them the best possible education. But remember, knowledge without character will only destroy them, us, and the society. We must attach due importance to character, by changing our own lives, if necessary, and showing the right way to our children.
BUSINESS WITHOUT MORALITY:
Here again, we should not misinterpret that business means only those activities men do to trade in goods or services, with an aim to make profits. Though this is what comes to a common man’s mind when he hears the word ‘business’, the business which we talk about here includes all activities of a man in his lifetime, commercial business activities also included. In today’s circumstances, we have to re-write the above sentence as “ACTIVITIES WITHOUT MORALITY”.
An activity without morality is commonly termed as “immoral activity”. When we consider “immoral activities”, our knowledge is so limited that the society (the immoral society) has taught us over the years to limit our view to a few activities which are considered “immoral” by this immoral society. We even have law enforced to punish a person involved in an immoral activity, but most absurdly, the immoral activities list attached to it do not include most of such activities prevailing in society. Here is a very simple example from our daily lives. A teacher who does not teach his students well is actually doing an immoral activity. We have a lot of them around, and they are more interested in their salary packet at the end of the month, or their political activities outside the school. This political involvement and connections actually help them keep their job as teachers, and for them, teaching is only a means for making money, it ceases to be a profession. This is a very good and common example in society now under this context where the criminal escapes punishment. These so-called teachers should help the students and the world by resigning their jobs and finding a livelihood from the field in which they involve themselves, like politics. A businessman who does not stick to the generally accepted business ethics is also involved in an immoral activity. Any act, let it be aimed at making money, name or fame, or is just for the fun of it, without morality, will destroy us. Morality is the one word that goes with every human being irrespective of his religion, caste, creed, education, occupation or social status.
Where do we get this morality from? To a great extent, again, from our home and from the schools. Religion also has a direct link in creating the feeling of morality in man. Our own religion has attached due importance to morality and has endless number of books and scripts on it. Children were taught morality through stories in ancient times. In the recent past, a major portion of this task was passed on to the ‘Grandpa’s and ‘Grandma’s who, with their treasure of moral and historical stories, used to do this job very well. Most of us are living examples for this, but I am not sure about today’s children. Majority of them do not enjoy this facility and the minority who still have it, can be considered the fortunate few. The newspapers, periodicals, television, and other media (as they are popularly called) have a great lot to do in developing morality in children as well as adults. The situation today is that if we want to retain whatever morality our minds hold, it is better not to turn our faces to any of these so-called media. If you open the television, or the news papers or periodicals, there is hardly anything that will elevate your mind to a higher platform of happiness or solace. They are filled with crimes, blood and horror. I agree that it is next to impossible to keep these away from the children, but parents should be more vigilant to induce some sort of a screening as to what their children watch or read.
Society is another front where we usually get our lessons in morality; or it used to be so. Now again, this has become a negative forum as we have more chances of loosing our morality in society, rather than gaining any. We must have more individuals in society who hold morality in high esteem and show the way to others. We can not change our society, but we can change ourselves and if more of us change ourselves, that will change the society – because society is non-existent. It is only a nomenclature, you can not see society, you can not hear it or touch it. It is only a name. It is the individual that counts, like you and I. So, let us go for it; let us strive to know more about our culture and our ancestors and how they could live a life of morality. Morality to a healthy society is as important as air for a living being. Any activity without morality will kill us, if not today, in the near future.
We can not change the world, but we must try and change ourselves and our views towards the world, and towards our life. We must think of these words of Beloved Papa: "Certainly, we have to take the world as it is, because it is not in our power to change it as we like, but it is ours to live in it by effecting a change in our vision and in our attitude towards it."
SCIENCE WITHOUT HUMANITY:
In the Indian philosophy, there is nothing without humanity. The general rule is that anything without humanity will not only destroy the individual but also society and humanity. Our specialty, the specialty that gives me the ability to write this and gives you the ability to read and interpret this, is that we are humans. So, humans minus humanity is animals. When Gandhiji says ‘science without humanity’ will destroy us, we have to interpret it as ‘all sciences, or all that is considered sciences, whether physical, spiritual or divine’ are aimed at the refinement, development or betterment of humanity and those sciences without humanity, therefore, will not serve any purpose at all, or they will only have adverse effects on humanity.
Science, in its physical meaning, denotes knowledge or experience. This so-called knowledge or experience we enjoy today, is the combined result of knowledge acquired and experience gathered by individuals in different parts of the globe, who devoted their lives in researching in a particular subject. When our ancestors did such researches and recorded their findings, their one and only aim was ‘humanitarian’ and that is the primary reason why they left these results for us. We continued from where they left and found more and more through generations; some of the earlier findings were questioned, some were made clearer, and a few remained unaltered. Nevertheless, the phenomenon continued, continues and will continue for ever. Where we utterly failed was in retaining the ultimate aim of our ancestors. They started their search for truth or science, with a very clear aim, a totally humanitarian aim; we have, on the contrary, used most of its results for inhuman purposes. We still do so. Remember: all the mass destruction weapons and pleasure-machines we trade in, are the results of such continued research. The order of the day is that almost all the researches we do are aimed at only one thing: profit – profit at the cost of humanity, profit at the cost of human lives, and profit at the cost of our mother Earth itself. We apparently do not understand that the temporary profit which we make out of these will lead to a permanent loss in the long run - the loss of this very earth on which we exist, and our future generations have to exist. Thus, science without humanity is going to destroy not only us humans, but also the whole earth with its other inhabitants.
Scientific ‘weapons’ are not used merely in wars now-a-days, we use them even in our daily lives. We have to just examine the field of agriculture to understand the gravity of our inhuman approach with an eye to gain temporary profits. The extensive usage of powerful insecticides and chemical fertilizers, in addition to creating an ecological imbalance by killing numerous varieties of smaller living beings, has also led to serious and even fatal health problems to humans.If we allow this situation to continue, we will be answerable to our future generations for leading such an unscientific life and denying them a chance to live happily and peacefully on this earth. This is yet another of Gandhiji’s warnings which is coming true very fast. Whether we believe in Gandhiji or not, all of us who believe in Truth has to take his words seriously and try to live like humans for humanity.
WORSHIP WITHOUT SACRIFICE:
Worship and sacrifice are two very closely related words. Throughout the world, people resort to various forms of worship, based on their varied religious and Theosophical beliefs. Irrespective of the ways of worship and the difference in beliefs and concepts, the objective of all worships remains the same and this objective is not different from that of human life. Every living being in this universe aim at a happy and peaceful life. Man is not an exception to this, and using his intellectual abilities, he strives for it too. Our scriptures very clearly speak about worships time and again; here is an example about man’s evolvement through worship:
Adhamaa prathimaa pooja
Japa sthothraadi madhyamaa
Uthama manaseepooja
Swoham poojothamothama
[Idol worship is the primitive form of worship; chanting, sthothra etc. are the secondary form; worshipping the mind (manas) is a step higher than that, and worshipping the soul (athman or the one continuously prompting ‘swoham’ to us from inside) is uthamothama, or the best of all. ]
The above sloka also reveals the ultimate aim of all worships, that is to realize the God inside every being. In Bhagawad Gita, Lord Krishna says to Arjuna: Eashwarassarva bhoothanaam hriddeshe Arjuna thishthhathi (God resides inside every being). To realize this God, to be one with Him, is the purpose of all worships.
Why are we away, or separate, from the God who is inside our own selves? Why do we have to sacrifice something to reach him? The answer is clear from the first manthra of Eashavaasya Upanishad:
Eashaavaasyamidam sarvam,
Yat kincha jagathyam jagath,
Thena thyaktena bhunjeethha:
Maa gridha kasya swidhhanam
[In this momentary universe, cover all those things which change, with God. Exist through this sacrifice. Never desire the wealth of others]. It is a very straight forward, yet meaningful statement. This manthra asks us to see the never-changing God in this ever-changing world. It is not the renouncement of the world, but renouncement of all that the mind has perceived as ‘mine’, and the ‘Aham’ or I itself, which will help us to reach God. It is the real sacrifice, the sacrifice of ‘mama’ and ‘aham’. We are not being asked to renounce the world or sensory pleasures, but are being prompted to see God in them and to enjoy the world through this sacrifice.
Elsewhere in this article, we discussed about ‘wealth without work’. The above manthra clearly asks us not to desire for others’ wealth. So, what is my wealth and what is other’s wealth? The wealth that is acquired through one’s own hard work is considered as one’s wealth and one is supposed to survive on that. It is a very clear statement, but most of us are not in a position to adhere to it. The real sacrifice is the sacrifice of the desire for wealth, specially wealth of others, wealth that doesn’t belong to us. How many of us can do such a sacrifice is yet another question.If we can understand the meaning of these words from Beloved Papa, we will be in a better position to understand the so-called poverty and sufferings:
"It is He who gives us every situation and every change. He knows what is good for us. His main object is to draw us towards Himself. He brings about all incidents in our life to fulfill this purpose of His."
In fact it is just a matter of proper understanding and interpretation, rather than sacrifice. We have nothing to sacrifice, everything belongs to Him. We have to only accept what He has decided to bestow on us. All the others are not ours. So, if we can realize this Truth, there is no question of sacrifice; there is only a question of changing the view, or the concept.
Every religion in the world, every prophet and every Guru shows us a way to reach God, to realize the very God who resides inside us. All these ways call for some sacrifice or the other; in other words, we have to take up the journey to God through our worships and sacrifices. However, in the modern times, people of all religions, throughout the world prefer to stand still where they are; they do not want to change themselves; they can not accept changes; they can not even think of it. Instead of their taking up an adventurous journey towards God realization, they want God to come to them! How can one reach somewhere without evening putting the first step forward? We read certain things about religion and God, we learn some other things from scholars, we thing about them sometimes; but it is seldom that someone seriously practices religion; it is seldom that someone sacrifices something to reach God. And from history we know that anyone who has seriously taken up a journey towards Truth has never fallen back to the starting point. Many times, it is possible that he has not achieved his goal as early as he had thought, but never has someone ever wasted a single step he has taken towards God. In Bhagawad Gita, the Lord reveals to Arjuna that “in hundreds of thousands of people, only one thinks of self-realization. Out of thousands of such people, only one seriously strives for it. Out of the thousands who do so, one gets there”. So, this is nothing new. Moreover, we have one promise from the same Lord: “Nahi kallyanakrit kaschit, durgathim thaatha gachhathi” [Calamities will never approach the one who does good deeds]. What else do we need? Stick on to our good deeds, and forget about everything else. Just concentrate on our ultimate aim, and think, speak and do only those things which will suit our purpose. All other things are meaningless to us, all other things are momentary and they go on changing. We must be able to adjust ourselves to situations, and continue in our spiritual journey. That is the real sacrifice, and anything including worship without this sacrifice, will only destroy us.
Spirituality is a way of life. By accepting and practicing this way of life, one can elevate to a level where he forgets about all differences and all ups and downs. We have to look at the world through this spiritual eye in order to have the real vision of God who is omni-present and omni-potent. “We know that there is water everywhere under the earth. But we will not be able to get a drop of it, unless we dig wells, tanks and ponds”. (Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa). Knowing that God is omni-present and omni-potent will not help us, we have to reach Him, we have to experience Him, we have to befriend Him. That is our aim and that is the only aim of this human life.
If we can look at Gandhiji’s life though this spiritual eye, if we can listen to his words through our spiritual ears and if we can think about him in our spiritual mind, we will be able to see Truth. We will be able to see only good. And seeing good is seeing God. We have to make this small sacrifice in order to see things in their proper perspective. This real sacrifice will, in the long run, lead us to Truth, and God
Article by RK
www.keralites.net
To: Keralites
Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2009 6:27:39 PM
Subject: [www.keralites.net] THE FOURTH GREAT 'G' OF INDIA
THE FOURTH GREAT ‘G’ OF INDIA
Gita (the great Bhagwad Gita), Ganga (Mother Ganges, the Holy River) and Gayatri (the greatest of all mantras) had been identified as the three great ‘G’s of India by Gurus of yesteryears as per our ancient scriptures.
As we all know very well, this identification is more than justified as have been believed and practiced by Indians for centuries. Bhagwad Gita has been, is, and will be the single-most acceptable and revered script of all times in the whole spiritual world, irrespective of religion, language or race. Likewise, Mother Ganga, in spite of the filth and sins presented to Her by Her offspring throughout centuries, still retains Her unique holiness and beauty. And thirdly, Gayatri mantra can or will never be replaced by anything else, at any period of time.
Now, my readers might have started wondering about the fourth great ‘G’ of India, apart from those considered by our scriptures. Yes, for us, who live in modern India in these modern times, we have one more ‘G’ to remember and revere. In spite of all the concepts and misconcepts, silence and arguments, agreements and differences, good and bad, light and darkness surrounding our country and its people, Gandhiji, the father of our nation will be considered by one and all as one of the greatest saints of the recent past. He is the fourth great ‘G’ of India for us and our children to hold and revere.
While this writer lived and worked outside India, it was a matter of grief to know that the outsiders have taken more interest and pains to know about Gandhiji than his ungrateful compatriots. To be precise, I should confess, it was only after traveling outside India that I could feel the inadequacy of what we know and what we have been teaching our children about Gandhiji. It is absurd, to say the least; it is insufficient, considering the gratitude we Indians owe to this great saint of our times, for what we are today and what we have; the most precious of all our belongings, the freedom; the freedom to live a decent and respectful life, the freedom to talk your heart out; the freedom to know and spread knowledge.
But alas, we have never realized the value of freedom; we have never realized the pains and sacrifices of our ancestors who led us to this state of freedom that we enjoy today. We will never, ever be able to realize it because we have not lived in slavery and we got our freedom for nothing. This is the reason why we do not use this freedom positively and do not consider it precious-enough.
In spite of what I have stated above about our inadequate gratitude to Gandhiji, countless words have been spoken and written about him during the last half-a-century in India and abroad, by Indians and others alike. I do not consider myself qualified to add anything to it or argue about any of it, but my objective here is to remember a few important messages (or warnings, to be precise), that the fourth great ‘G’ of India gave us during his life time. In the following pages, I will try to examine these warnings, which bear evidence to his prophecy, and how we have, in utter negligence and disregard to them, messed our lives up.
Looking back to the last 50 years in the history of our country, and of the whole world, following can be considered as the most important message Gandhiji left for his children:
The things that would destroy us are:
Politics without principle;
Pleasure without conscience;
Wealth without work;
Knowledge without character;
Business without morality;
Science without humanity, and
Worship without sacrifice.
POLITICS WITHOUT PRINCIPLE:
Now, having seen many so-called ‘democratic’ governments after our independence in 1947, most of my readers will probably agree with me that ‘principle’ is the last thing one can connect with ‘politics’. It is a pity that a country like India, which can boast of political and philosophical guidance to the whole world, suffers from the chronic disease of ‘negative politicization’ in every walk of life. Every relationship, every organization, every family and even every individual is politicized in modern India. It has come to the grave situation that if someone falls unconscious in a busy street, most of his compatriots will prefer to be just bystanders and will not get involved in the ‘long’ process of legal formalities that could follow the humanitarian gesture of carrying a wounded fellow countryman to hospital. If anyone is wondering what this has to do with politics, let me make it clear that it is the politicization of human mind, political interference in the process of law enforcement, and political separatism that contribute much in creating this kind of selfishness in the minds of present-day Indians. This politics-born virus has actually not only affected the society, but has got an entry into families, and also in to the minds of individuals. On the other hand, politics dominates most of the important areas affecting our day-to-day life, like education, bureaucracy and even medical treatment.
Is this the India Mahatma Gandhi and our other freedom fighters dreamed of when they sacrificed their precious lives to get us this freedom? Is this the Ramarajya Gandhiji visualized when he fought the British all his life? There is no doubt about one thing: We have not only forgotten Gandhiji, but have also utterly disregarded his visions and warnings. It is too late, but still we should find some time to know Gandhiji and the principles he upheld in life. This will make us better Indians who remember yesterdays, and this will also help in leading us and India to a better tomorrow. Let us forget about all those negative things in Gandhiji’s life we have always showed keen interest in arguing on, and look at the various experiments on Truth for which he devoted his whole life. Gandhiji never opted himself for any political or ministerial positions, and had no intention to do so; but there are many instances that show his thorough knowledge of politics and, most clearly, his farsightedness. It is high time that the common man of India take Gandhiji’s teachings seriously, or very soon they will knowingly or unknowingly allow today’s unscrupulous politicians to bring back slavery; a slavery from which another Gandhi may not be there to save them. Gandhiji’s words that ‘politics without principle will destroy us’ are coming true very fast.
PLEASURE WITHOUT CONSCIENCE:
What is the first and foremost aim of human life? Many of us do not take time to think about this important question. Even if some do at some point of time, they do not take it really serious. Even for the few who give it a serious thought, more often than not, it is a puzzle as the endless answers to the question get entangled and make them more confused. Some of us satisfy ourselves with the answer that life is for all these things that we usually do. Some others try to be content with the concept that the secrets of life are beyond the reach of man. Some even deny themselves a chance to think about it, as they believe that God created man with a pre-defined plan of action for each individual during this short span of life. The truth of the matter is that we can not write off any of these opinions. All of them are justified, in their own circumstances, to believe in what they do; their opinions are derived from their own experiences in life and the ways in which they are brought up. Nevertheless, a generally acceptable and justifiable answer to the above question becomes inevitable, since it will help all the people for all the times. Our ancestors had given much thought on it and came up with a truly beautiful and commonly acceptable answer: Life is to be happy and make others happy. I can understand the doubtful look on many faces. Is it possible for man to be always happy? May be, No. But if that is the case, we should also not doubt the conclusion of our ancestors; on the contrary, we should try and find the reason for our being unhappy.
First of all, what is happiness? Is it the same happiness that we feel when we achieved something in life? Is it the same happiness that we experience when we find an oasis after a long trek in the desert? Is it something like the feeling we get when we get some bite and water after going on a fast for days? Is it the happiness some of us boast of achieving by getting intoxicated? The answer is NO, because all these bits and pieces of happiness or the feeling we call happiness, are just conditional feelings or sensory perceptions of happiness, or only a state of mind for a short period of time. The difference between the real happiness, or bliss, and these tiny bits and pieces is that the former is an eternal, endless and full feeling of goodness and peace, whereas the latter are momentary and prone to change with changing conditions. We can now understand the mistake we have been committing. We were taking the conditional happiness as real happiness, and have been running after the momentary pleasures in life. This is exactly what Gandhiji means when he warns us that pleasure without conscience will destroy us. It is in this spiritual context that we should try to understand the meaning of his words. We, knowingly or unknowingly, destroy our own lives for these conditional, momentary pleasures which we conveniently prefer to call happiness. This not only stops us from leading a really happy and peaceful life, but also keeps us in dark as to the eternal bliss and peace, which are our legitimate human rights. Beloved Papa Swami Ramdas prompts us thus:
“The object of your life is to be happy yourself and give happiness to others. In fact, real delight consists in so adjusting your life as to make it yield joy to others. If you have faith in God, use this faith in cultivating patience and equanimity. Faith always goes with cheerfulness, resignation and peace. Be childlike--not childish--be blissful and a free child of God. Reveal your innate divine nature, and diffuse around you always love and joy.”
This is the real pleasure we should hunt for. This is the pleasure with conscience; all other pleasures are conditional, and so, momentary and those are the pleasures Gandhiji mentioned as “pleasure without conscience”. Conscience is, in short, “the awareness of totality” and not the fragments of awareness we usually tend to call “conscience”. If we get ‘stuck up’ with these fragments of awareness, or the delights and pleasures attached to them, we can never be aware of the ‘totality’ or ‘poornam’. And without knowing life in its totality, no man has ever achieved the eternal bliss and peace. So, do not destroy ourselves, do not destroy this precious human life; find the internal happiness inherent in all of us and lead a life of tranquility and peace. This is the timeless message from our great Gandhiji.
WEALTH WITHOUT WORK:
This is another powerful enemy who will destroy mankind. Rather I should not put it in the future tense; this is the enemy who has been destroying us and is still doing so. But unfortunately, most of us have not realized the gravity of disasters, the amount of destruction that this enemy can bring to human life. Like Swami Vivekananda once pointed out “it is the gun in the policeman’s hand that retains us as what we are”. If it was not for the laws of the land, most of us would be thieves and criminals. The discipline, which has to come from within, which has to come from “dharmabodham” is nowhere to be seen. Given a chance, most of ‘kaliyugamanava’ will prefer to just lay back and relax, at the expense and hard work of others. We have been seeing this and we still do. This is because of our lust, our anxiety to accumulate wealth, not through our own hard work, but at the cost of our fellowmen’s sweat.
God has created the universe in such a way that it has everything for every living being, be it man, animal or plants. No living being has to starve, none has to undergo such sufferings as we see today, if only man had understood the meaning of Gandhiji’s words. Every living being works for its survival – for the food, shelter and other amenities. That is the way world should be. But because of a few lustful among humans, there happened to be imbalance; the have’s and have-not’s; the more enterprising lot then derived their own philosophies and ‘ism’s as they are now popularly known, based on the have’s and havenot’s and themselves became millionaires. There again, we conveniently left out one category. Not the haves, nor the have-not’s, the ones “who did not want”; the ones who denounced the worldly pleasures, who denounced all the wealth that others strived for. They are the ones who really found the actual wealth and actual worth. They were the ones who left a treasure of knowledge for mankind, through their tireless experiments and experiences with Truth. Gandhiji was one of them.
Coming back to our subject, there is one simple example of destruction brought by “wealth without work”. An example that all of us can easily understand; an example that all of us should be aware of. This example is more relevant to people in the family way of life, the grihasthhashramis. They have a family, they have their commitments, their children. One of the foremost needs in their life is, and should be, to give proper education to their children. All these are very well understood. With the amount of money involved in giving education these days, it is, of-course, a Herculean task. However, my mind is now set on those who have only one aim in their life – to accumulate worldly wealth. The wealth which they do not use during their own life time. These accumulation then passes on to the next generation. The only education the next generation gets is to accumulate wealth and they pass on the same to their children. These are the children who mostly tend to become anti-socials. I can not forget the few who use their wealth for purposes that involve society; for good purposes and deeds. But they are only the exceptional ones. The majority, who do not get a chance to know the difficulty in acquiring the wealth, misuse it and become a nuisance to society as a whole.
The one thing that grihasthhashramis should always keep in mind is that the best wealth they can give to their children is education and ethics. The more and more worldly wealth they leave for their children, more is the danger of their becoming anti-socials. In order for this, children should be educated in such a way that they do their own work to achieve their own needs. First of all, it is not the worldly wealth that counts to be a human, it is the humanity itself; it is the way one lives his life. Being rich or being poor does not make much or any difference in one’s understanding of life. And this understanding of life in its totality, and living in eternal happiness and peace is what man should strive for. Not worldly wealth, not wealth without work.
KNOWLEDGE WITHOUT CHARACTER:
Knowledge in this context is not the real knowledge or Jnana in its spiritual point of view, but vidya. The knowledge Gandhiji mentions is again the worldly knowledge or the knowledge one achieve through practice and experience in the worldly sciences. It is clearly understood in Kaliyuga because we have many a ‘knowledgeable’ person in many of our branches of science, but to find one with character is seldom. How does it become an enemy to humanity is also easy to understand. We know many good artists, who, owing to their lack of character, use their knowledge for anti-social purposes. We know people who make fake currency notes; we know people who create varieties of bombs and other destructive weapons; we know scientists who spend their lives researching and developing mass destruction weapons; we also know knowledgeable people who can use this knowledge to cheat us. So, having knowledge is one thing and using it properly is another. In order to make use of the knowledge for one’s own benefit and for the benefit of others, one ought to have good character. This is something which can be developed only through the influence of parents. Character-building has to begin at home, not at school or in the outside world. The character built at home undergoes continued development at school and in the outside world, but the seed must be sown at home, by parents and elders. In order for the child to inherit this wealth of character from its parents, first of all, the parents should have it. This is where we have a big hitch in today’s society. Our way of life today does not include character-building for ourselves or for our children. Our educational system, which is again controlled by the people of today’s characterless way of life, does not allow development of the students’ character. The outside world, of-course, is out of question because it is full of things that will help ruin whatever character one has.
Just imagine the heap of murders, rapes and other crimes we read about in newspapers; imagine those murderers, rapists and other criminals as just human beings. They are as much human beings as we all are, but there is a difference. The difference is character. All these criminals definitely have or had their parents – a father and a mother each. That is for sure because no human being comes to this earth spontaneously; (I am aware of the fast development of genetic sciences and the scientists’ ability to produce human forms through various other means. But here, we are not talking about exceptions, we are just considering the society as we know it). So, we can not but blame those parents for what their children are today. I agree that it is not only the parents, but the parents do have a great deal to do in character building of their offspring. While on this subject, we can not also miss the point that the change of our joint family system has had its bad effects. For whatever reasons we may have settled down to nuclear families, it is a bitter truth that it has a lot to tell upon the character of our children. Another important point I should not leave untouched is the system of marriage. We have adopted to such a system that does not attach any importance to a man’s or woman’s character. I should be pardoned if I say that we have more or less become similar to cats and dogs, who, on attaining physical maturity, produce children and leave them to their own societies. Is human nature that of cats and dogs? No way. We are not like them. We are intelligent and should show this intelligence and knowledge to lead a better life of tranquility and peace. Just attaining physical maturity should not be considered as enough qualification for humans to get married and produce children. In such a case, it is only the carnal desires that prevail in a relationship. Both men and women, while tying the knot, should be aware that their children will be part of tomorrow’s society and should be brought up in such a way that they will benefit themselves, their family and the society as a whole. So, marriage should not be just for the individuals, but also for society. Without this awareness, we can not build or develop character in ourselves or in our children.
There is a famous saying in English:
If wealth is lost, nothing is lost;
If health is lost, something is lost;
If CHARACTER is lost, EVERYTHING is lost.
Let us not lose everything by losing our characters. That is the real wealth. And that is the real worth. We can send our children to the best available school and get them the best possible education. But remember, knowledge without character will only destroy them, us, and the society. We must attach due importance to character, by changing our own lives, if necessary, and showing the right way to our children.
BUSINESS WITHOUT MORALITY:
Here again, we should not misinterpret that business means only those activities men do to trade in goods or services, with an aim to make profits. Though this is what comes to a common man’s mind when he hears the word ‘business’, the business which we talk about here includes all activities of a man in his lifetime, commercial business activities also included. In today’s circumstances, we have to re-write the above sentence as “ACTIVITIES WITHOUT MORALITY”.
An activity without morality is commonly termed as “immoral activity”. When we consider “immoral activities”, our knowledge is so limited that the society (the immoral society) has taught us over the years to limit our view to a few activities which are considered “immoral” by this immoral society. We even have law enforced to punish a person involved in an immoral activity, but most absurdly, the immoral activities list attached to it do not include most of such activities prevailing in society. Here is a very simple example from our daily lives. A teacher who does not teach his students well is actually doing an immoral activity. We have a lot of them around, and they are more interested in their salary packet at the end of the month, or their political activities outside the school. This political involvement and connections actually help them keep their job as teachers, and for them, teaching is only a means for making money, it ceases to be a profession. This is a very good and common example in society now under this context where the criminal escapes punishment. These so-called teachers should help the students and the world by resigning their jobs and finding a livelihood from the field in which they involve themselves, like politics. A businessman who does not stick to the generally accepted business ethics is also involved in an immoral activity. Any act, let it be aimed at making money, name or fame, or is just for the fun of it, without morality, will destroy us. Morality is the one word that goes with every human being irrespective of his religion, caste, creed, education, occupation or social status.
Where do we get this morality from? To a great extent, again, from our home and from the schools. Religion also has a direct link in creating the feeling of morality in man. Our own religion has attached due importance to morality and has endless number of books and scripts on it. Children were taught morality through stories in ancient times. In the recent past, a major portion of this task was passed on to the ‘Grandpa’s and ‘Grandma’s who, with their treasure of moral and historical stories, used to do this job very well. Most of us are living examples for this, but I am not sure about today’s children. Majority of them do not enjoy this facility and the minority who still have it, can be considered the fortunate few. The newspapers, periodicals, television, and other media (as they are popularly called) have a great lot to do in developing morality in children as well as adults. The situation today is that if we want to retain whatever morality our minds hold, it is better not to turn our faces to any of these so-called media. If you open the television, or the news papers or periodicals, there is hardly anything that will elevate your mind to a higher platform of happiness or solace. They are filled with crimes, blood and horror. I agree that it is next to impossible to keep these away from the children, but parents should be more vigilant to induce some sort of a screening as to what their children watch or read.
Society is another front where we usually get our lessons in morality; or it used to be so. Now again, this has become a negative forum as we have more chances of loosing our morality in society, rather than gaining any. We must have more individuals in society who hold morality in high esteem and show the way to others. We can not change our society, but we can change ourselves and if more of us change ourselves, that will change the society – because society is non-existent. It is only a nomenclature, you can not see society, you can not hear it or touch it. It is only a name. It is the individual that counts, like you and I. So, let us go for it; let us strive to know more about our culture and our ancestors and how they could live a life of morality. Morality to a healthy society is as important as air for a living being. Any activity without morality will kill us, if not today, in the near future.
We can not change the world, but we must try and change ourselves and our views towards the world, and towards our life. We must think of these words of Beloved Papa: "Certainly, we have to take the world as it is, because it is not in our power to change it as we like, but it is ours to live in it by effecting a change in our vision and in our attitude towards it."
SCIENCE WITHOUT HUMANITY:
In the Indian philosophy, there is nothing without humanity. The general rule is that anything without humanity will not only destroy the individual but also society and humanity. Our specialty, the specialty that gives me the ability to write this and gives you the ability to read and interpret this, is that we are humans. So, humans minus humanity is animals. When Gandhiji says ‘science without humanity’ will destroy us, we have to interpret it as ‘all sciences, or all that is considered sciences, whether physical, spiritual or divine’ are aimed at the refinement, development or betterment of humanity and those sciences without humanity, therefore, will not serve any purpose at all, or they will only have adverse effects on humanity.
Science, in its physical meaning, denotes knowledge or experience. This so-called knowledge or experience we enjoy today, is the combined result of knowledge acquired and experience gathered by individuals in different parts of the globe, who devoted their lives in researching in a particular subject. When our ancestors did such researches and recorded their findings, their one and only aim was ‘humanitarian’ and that is the primary reason why they left these results for us. We continued from where they left and found more and more through generations; some of the earlier findings were questioned, some were made clearer, and a few remained unaltered. Nevertheless, the phenomenon continued, continues and will continue for ever. Where we utterly failed was in retaining the ultimate aim of our ancestors. They started their search for truth or science, with a very clear aim, a totally humanitarian aim; we have, on the contrary, used most of its results for inhuman purposes. We still do so. Remember: all the mass destruction weapons and pleasure-machines we trade in, are the results of such continued research. The order of the day is that almost all the researches we do are aimed at only one thing: profit – profit at the cost of humanity, profit at the cost of human lives, and profit at the cost of our mother Earth itself. We apparently do not understand that the temporary profit which we make out of these will lead to a permanent loss in the long run - the loss of this very earth on which we exist, and our future generations have to exist. Thus, science without humanity is going to destroy not only us humans, but also the whole earth with its other inhabitants.
Scientific ‘weapons’ are not used merely in wars now-a-days, we use them even in our daily lives. We have to just examine the field of agriculture to understand the gravity of our inhuman approach with an eye to gain temporary profits. The extensive usage of powerful insecticides and chemical fertilizers, in addition to creating an ecological imbalance by killing numerous varieties of smaller living beings, has also led to serious and even fatal health problems to humans.If we allow this situation to continue, we will be answerable to our future generations for leading such an unscientific life and denying them a chance to live happily and peacefully on this earth. This is yet another of Gandhiji’s warnings which is coming true very fast. Whether we believe in Gandhiji or not, all of us who believe in Truth has to take his words seriously and try to live like humans for humanity.
WORSHIP WITHOUT SACRIFICE:
Worship and sacrifice are two very closely related words. Throughout the world, people resort to various forms of worship, based on their varied religious and Theosophical beliefs. Irrespective of the ways of worship and the difference in beliefs and concepts, the objective of all worships remains the same and this objective is not different from that of human life. Every living being in this universe aim at a happy and peaceful life. Man is not an exception to this, and using his intellectual abilities, he strives for it too. Our scriptures very clearly speak about worships time and again; here is an example about man’s evolvement through worship:
Adhamaa prathimaa pooja
Japa sthothraadi madhyamaa
Uthama manaseepooja
Swoham poojothamothama
[Idol worship is the primitive form of worship; chanting, sthothra etc. are the secondary form; worshipping the mind (manas) is a step higher than that, and worshipping the soul (athman or the one continuously prompting ‘swoham’ to us from inside) is uthamothama, or the best of all. ]
The above sloka also reveals the ultimate aim of all worships, that is to realize the God inside every being. In Bhagawad Gita, Lord Krishna says to Arjuna: Eashwarassarva bhoothanaam hriddeshe Arjuna thishthhathi (God resides inside every being). To realize this God, to be one with Him, is the purpose of all worships.
Why are we away, or separate, from the God who is inside our own selves? Why do we have to sacrifice something to reach him? The answer is clear from the first manthra of Eashavaasya Upanishad:
Eashaavaasyamidam sarvam,
Yat kincha jagathyam jagath,
Thena thyaktena bhunjeethha:
Maa gridha kasya swidhhanam
[In this momentary universe, cover all those things which change, with God. Exist through this sacrifice. Never desire the wealth of others]. It is a very straight forward, yet meaningful statement. This manthra asks us to see the never-changing God in this ever-changing world. It is not the renouncement of the world, but renouncement of all that the mind has perceived as ‘mine’, and the ‘Aham’ or I itself, which will help us to reach God. It is the real sacrifice, the sacrifice of ‘mama’ and ‘aham’. We are not being asked to renounce the world or sensory pleasures, but are being prompted to see God in them and to enjoy the world through this sacrifice.
Elsewhere in this article, we discussed about ‘wealth without work’. The above manthra clearly asks us not to desire for others’ wealth. So, what is my wealth and what is other’s wealth? The wealth that is acquired through one’s own hard work is considered as one’s wealth and one is supposed to survive on that. It is a very clear statement, but most of us are not in a position to adhere to it. The real sacrifice is the sacrifice of the desire for wealth, specially wealth of others, wealth that doesn’t belong to us. How many of us can do such a sacrifice is yet another question.If we can understand the meaning of these words from Beloved Papa, we will be in a better position to understand the so-called poverty and sufferings:
"It is He who gives us every situation and every change. He knows what is good for us. His main object is to draw us towards Himself. He brings about all incidents in our life to fulfill this purpose of His."
In fact it is just a matter of proper understanding and interpretation, rather than sacrifice. We have nothing to sacrifice, everything belongs to Him. We have to only accept what He has decided to bestow on us. All the others are not ours. So, if we can realize this Truth, there is no question of sacrifice; there is only a question of changing the view, or the concept.
Every religion in the world, every prophet and every Guru shows us a way to reach God, to realize the very God who resides inside us. All these ways call for some sacrifice or the other; in other words, we have to take up the journey to God through our worships and sacrifices. However, in the modern times, people of all religions, throughout the world prefer to stand still where they are; they do not want to change themselves; they can not accept changes; they can not even think of it. Instead of their taking up an adventurous journey towards God realization, they want God to come to them! How can one reach somewhere without evening putting the first step forward? We read certain things about religion and God, we learn some other things from scholars, we thing about them sometimes; but it is seldom that someone seriously practices religion; it is seldom that someone sacrifices something to reach God. And from history we know that anyone who has seriously taken up a journey towards Truth has never fallen back to the starting point. Many times, it is possible that he has not achieved his goal as early as he had thought, but never has someone ever wasted a single step he has taken towards God. In Bhagawad Gita, the Lord reveals to Arjuna that “in hundreds of thousands of people, only one thinks of self-realization. Out of thousands of such people, only one seriously strives for it. Out of the thousands who do so, one gets there”. So, this is nothing new. Moreover, we have one promise from the same Lord: “Nahi kallyanakrit kaschit, durgathim thaatha gachhathi” [Calamities will never approach the one who does good deeds]. What else do we need? Stick on to our good deeds, and forget about everything else. Just concentrate on our ultimate aim, and think, speak and do only those things which will suit our purpose. All other things are meaningless to us, all other things are momentary and they go on changing. We must be able to adjust ourselves to situations, and continue in our spiritual journey. That is the real sacrifice, and anything including worship without this sacrifice, will only destroy us.
Spirituality is a way of life. By accepting and practicing this way of life, one can elevate to a level where he forgets about all differences and all ups and downs. We have to look at the world through this spiritual eye in order to have the real vision of God who is omni-present and omni-potent. “We know that there is water everywhere under the earth. But we will not be able to get a drop of it, unless we dig wells, tanks and ponds”. (Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa). Knowing that God is omni-present and omni-potent will not help us, we have to reach Him, we have to experience Him, we have to befriend Him. That is our aim and that is the only aim of this human life.
If we can look at Gandhiji’s life though this spiritual eye, if we can listen to his words through our spiritual ears and if we can think about him in our spiritual mind, we will be able to see Truth. We will be able to see only good. And seeing good is seeing God. We have to make this small sacrifice in order to see things in their proper perspective. This real sacrifice will, in the long run, lead us to Truth, and God
Article by RK
www.keralites.net
SINHALA ARROGANCE/BRUTALITY AND TAMIL DETERMINATION TO BE FREE IN THEIR OWN LAND!!!
PROVIDE A HUMANE INCENTIVE FOR ALL PEOPLE TO MOVE
JEHAN PERERA.....NPC
For the second time in as many months, Sri Lanka was discussed in the highest international forum, the Security Council of the United Nations. As on the last occasion, Sri Lanka was discussed without being on the formal agenda of the meeting. If the government had expected its allies on the Security Council to block the discussion, this would have been a disappointment. There seems to be a limit beyond which countries find it difficult to support each other in international forums. The plight of Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir who has been indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court despite being a close ally of China is an example that cannot be ignored.
The discussion on Sri Lanka at the UN Security Council is reported to have revolved around the humanitarian crisis involving the trapped civilian population in the north of the country. The United States and United Kingdom had backed a Security Council call for a humanitarian pause to enable humanitarian supplies to be sent into the area and to permit the evacuation of civilians. The usage of the term humanitarian pause rather than the more direct term humanitarian ceasefire was probably in deference to the Sri Lankan government’s antipathy to any ceasefire that could be extended to enable the LTTE to rearm and regroup.
The government appears to be rethinking its position on the humanitarian crisis in the north of the country. In the face of the mounting international pressure on the government, its defence spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella has said that the government is prepared to consider a humanitarian pause as called for by the UN. However, he also added that such a humanitarian pause would be subject to yet unspecified conditions that would depend on the prevailing ground situation. He also made an assertion that indicates that the government’s resolve to defeat the LTTE on the military battlefield remains unchanged.
In the course of his statement to the media, the defence spokesperson is reported to have said that the safe zone for civilians, which is the last remaining territory under LTTE control, had turned out to be a killing field for the security forces who were suffering casualties because they could not retaliate with their heavy weapons for fear of hitting the civilian population. He had added that once the civilians were evacuated the security forces would eliminate the LTTE, as they would have unfettered use of air power and heavy weapons. The problem with this reasoning is that it will be resisted by the LTTE in order to deny to the government that military advantage.
International sympathy
The LTTE’s conduct in firing at the government forces from the midst of the civilian population and preventing them from leaving is clearly unacceptable. This is also why there is so little international sympathy for the LTTE at this time. International sympathy is with the civilian population who are trapped and suffering immensely. When the international community asks for a ceasefire it is not because they want to give the LTTE another lease of life. The public statements issued by a variety of international actors suggests there is a consensus within the international community, barring some minor political parties in Tamil Nadu, that the LTTE must not be revived as a military force.
Unfortunately sections within the government appear unconvinced that the international community is genuine in their motivation to save civilian lives and suspect that the international community is still trying to save the LTTE to fight on for another day. Speaking to the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, President Mahinda Rajapaksa is reported to have said that a ceasefire would give the LTTE an opportunity to drag out the war for another 25 years. Likewise the LTTE and its supporters, especially sections of the Tamil diaspora, appear to be hoping against hope that the international community will force a ceasefire on Sri Lanka that would give the LTTE another chance to fight on.
More forthright statements by the international community and greater discernment by the government and LTTE leaderships are necessary if a humanitarian catastrophe is to be averted. There are precedents in world history where those at the losing end of wars have fought to the end, leaving no one alive on their side.
One is the siege of Masada by the Roman army in the first century. After three months of siege, when the Romans entered the fortress inhabited by members of a Jewish sect, they discovered that its nearly one thousand inhabitants, including women and children, were dead. They had set fire to all the buildings and committed mass suicide rather than face certain capture and defeat by their enemies. Masada has been interpreted as symbolising the determination of the Jewish people to be free in their own land.
Averting catastrophe
It is common knowledge in Sri Lanka that LTTE cadres wear cyanide capsules around their neck that they have pledged to swallow so that they will not be captured alive. It is not impossible to envisage a situation in which the last LTTE cadre who are corered within the safety zone with the civilian population will fight to the very end to ensure that there are a maximum number of casualties. If such a scenario should materialize the consequences to the country could be very serious, quite apart from the tragedy of the people who become the direct victims. There is however a more favourable scenario that could be fashioned by the government if it is serious about a humanitarian pause.
The government has demonstrated its flexibility in accommodating and not prosecuting members of Tamil militant organizations, including those of the LTTE, who are prepared to join the mainstream. Douglas Devananda and more recently Karuna are two former Tamil militants who are now ministers of the government.
The government needs to offer other LTTE leaders, administrators and cadre an opportunity to come out without their weapons and to be guaranteed similar protection of the government and the law. .In offering such an opportunity to the people still remaining in the LTTE controlled territory, it must also be noted that until recently the LTTE ran a parallel administration. There could be thousands of people who were a part of this administrative apparatus, who might not have wielded weapons, but had a relationship with the LTTE.
They may have simply been doing a job and not subscribed to the LTTE’s methods of violence. They need to be given an assurance of their safety once they cross over.
dailymirror.lk
JEHAN PERERA.....NPC
For the second time in as many months, Sri Lanka was discussed in the highest international forum, the Security Council of the United Nations. As on the last occasion, Sri Lanka was discussed without being on the formal agenda of the meeting. If the government had expected its allies on the Security Council to block the discussion, this would have been a disappointment. There seems to be a limit beyond which countries find it difficult to support each other in international forums. The plight of Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir who has been indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court despite being a close ally of China is an example that cannot be ignored.
The discussion on Sri Lanka at the UN Security Council is reported to have revolved around the humanitarian crisis involving the trapped civilian population in the north of the country. The United States and United Kingdom had backed a Security Council call for a humanitarian pause to enable humanitarian supplies to be sent into the area and to permit the evacuation of civilians. The usage of the term humanitarian pause rather than the more direct term humanitarian ceasefire was probably in deference to the Sri Lankan government’s antipathy to any ceasefire that could be extended to enable the LTTE to rearm and regroup.
The government appears to be rethinking its position on the humanitarian crisis in the north of the country. In the face of the mounting international pressure on the government, its defence spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella has said that the government is prepared to consider a humanitarian pause as called for by the UN. However, he also added that such a humanitarian pause would be subject to yet unspecified conditions that would depend on the prevailing ground situation. He also made an assertion that indicates that the government’s resolve to defeat the LTTE on the military battlefield remains unchanged.
In the course of his statement to the media, the defence spokesperson is reported to have said that the safe zone for civilians, which is the last remaining territory under LTTE control, had turned out to be a killing field for the security forces who were suffering casualties because they could not retaliate with their heavy weapons for fear of hitting the civilian population. He had added that once the civilians were evacuated the security forces would eliminate the LTTE, as they would have unfettered use of air power and heavy weapons. The problem with this reasoning is that it will be resisted by the LTTE in order to deny to the government that military advantage.
International sympathy
The LTTE’s conduct in firing at the government forces from the midst of the civilian population and preventing them from leaving is clearly unacceptable. This is also why there is so little international sympathy for the LTTE at this time. International sympathy is with the civilian population who are trapped and suffering immensely. When the international community asks for a ceasefire it is not because they want to give the LTTE another lease of life. The public statements issued by a variety of international actors suggests there is a consensus within the international community, barring some minor political parties in Tamil Nadu, that the LTTE must not be revived as a military force.
Unfortunately sections within the government appear unconvinced that the international community is genuine in their motivation to save civilian lives and suspect that the international community is still trying to save the LTTE to fight on for another day. Speaking to the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, President Mahinda Rajapaksa is reported to have said that a ceasefire would give the LTTE an opportunity to drag out the war for another 25 years. Likewise the LTTE and its supporters, especially sections of the Tamil diaspora, appear to be hoping against hope that the international community will force a ceasefire on Sri Lanka that would give the LTTE another chance to fight on.
More forthright statements by the international community and greater discernment by the government and LTTE leaderships are necessary if a humanitarian catastrophe is to be averted. There are precedents in world history where those at the losing end of wars have fought to the end, leaving no one alive on their side.
One is the siege of Masada by the Roman army in the first century. After three months of siege, when the Romans entered the fortress inhabited by members of a Jewish sect, they discovered that its nearly one thousand inhabitants, including women and children, were dead. They had set fire to all the buildings and committed mass suicide rather than face certain capture and defeat by their enemies. Masada has been interpreted as symbolising the determination of the Jewish people to be free in their own land.
Averting catastrophe
It is common knowledge in Sri Lanka that LTTE cadres wear cyanide capsules around their neck that they have pledged to swallow so that they will not be captured alive. It is not impossible to envisage a situation in which the last LTTE cadre who are corered within the safety zone with the civilian population will fight to the very end to ensure that there are a maximum number of casualties. If such a scenario should materialize the consequences to the country could be very serious, quite apart from the tragedy of the people who become the direct victims. There is however a more favourable scenario that could be fashioned by the government if it is serious about a humanitarian pause.
The government has demonstrated its flexibility in accommodating and not prosecuting members of Tamil militant organizations, including those of the LTTE, who are prepared to join the mainstream. Douglas Devananda and more recently Karuna are two former Tamil militants who are now ministers of the government.
The government needs to offer other LTTE leaders, administrators and cadre an opportunity to come out without their weapons and to be guaranteed similar protection of the government and the law. .In offering such an opportunity to the people still remaining in the LTTE controlled territory, it must also be noted that until recently the LTTE ran a parallel administration. There could be thousands of people who were a part of this administrative apparatus, who might not have wielded weapons, but had a relationship with the LTTE.
They may have simply been doing a job and not subscribed to the LTTE’s methods of violence. They need to be given an assurance of their safety once they cross over.
dailymirror.lk
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
US AMBASSADOR AND THE US GOVT CONCERNED ABOUT TAMIL IDPs IN SRILANKA!!!
Internews....... :
Interview with Ambassador Robert Blake
Colombo, Tuesday March 17, 2009 – S. Ramanan for Internews
Q: How is the new Obama administration already changing the US foreign policy and how is this going to affect Sri Lanka?
President Obama wants to lead by example in the world and I think that was shown in some of the decisions that he made in the first week of his administration. First, by stating his intention to close down the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay within a year and secondly, by announcing that the United States will no longer engage in torture, as a matter of policy. Those were very important signals I think to the rest of the world.
Beyond that the President has said that he wants to strengthen our partnerships around the world. He wants to engage both our enemies and our allies alike. I think there is a new pragmatism in his foreign policy. For example, his willingness to talk with the Iranians, to perhaps discuss issues like Afghanistan. I think you are going to see overall much more pragmatic foreign policy and if things are not working, the President has a very flexible mind and is willing to look at new alternatives. When it comes to Sri Lanka, our policy in Sri Lanka has been constant through many different administrations, both Democratic and Republican, and that has been to support in every way we can to promote peace in this country.
Q: What are the US government’s strategic goals in Sri Lanka?
Our main goal remains to try to help to promote peace. We think that by achieving peace one can do so much to promote prosperity here, and reduce all of the problems that have been associated with the conflict, like human rights and humanitarian problems. We want Sri Lanka to take its rightful place as one of the most developed and moderate countries in the region, a country with a great deal of opportunity once it can get beyond the conflict. So we focus a lot on promotion of peace, but part of that certainly has to be to focus on solving the humanitarian situation and also greatly improving the human rights situation.
Q: How do you go about achieving those goals?
We go about it in number of ways. First of all through advocacy - that is the purpose of diplomats around the world. We work very closely with the President and others within his cabinet to try to promote peace and the various aspects of that. We also have a quite important program under the US Agency for International Development to help not only with the conflict situation, for example we are the largest donor of food aid food assistance to the internally displaced people in the Vanni, but we also have a very important program in the East to try to help stabilize and develop that very important region of Sri Lanka.
Now that the LTTE has been evicted from that area we think there is an opportunity to build peace and prosperity in that multi-ethnic part of Sri Lanka and that could be a very positive example of how the North might be managed as part of future efforts there. We are engaged in trying to encourage new private sector activity to create jobs for young people so they will no longer feel they need to resort to violence and to join paramilitaries. We are working a lot to try to encourage a much improved security atmosphere through, for example, disarming the paramilitaries. We have tried on issues like child soldiers to encourage the TMVP and the others to completely release all child soldiers and we are also working to improve governance in the East through helping independent media and civil society to grow.
Q: You have mentioned the opportunities for the youth in the East. Could you explain about your plans? What kind of jobs or training will be available for the youth in the East?
As you said the most important thing is to create jobs and provide opportunities for the young people and we feel the best way to do that is through private sector activities, not through government jobs. So we set up a public private partnership fund whereby we will partner with private sector companies, Sri Lankan private sector companies and potentially foreign companies as well, to create new opportunities for employment. You may recall, under our Tsunami relief program, we had a very ambitious vocational training where we built nine different vocational training facilities in the Southern and the Eastern parts of the country and those have been very successful.
The next step is to get some of the big companies to come in and invest. I think by partnering with us they can take advantage of good access that we have in Colombo to the various ministries if they have problems. For example, we have very good partnership with Brandix which is going to build up a new apparel factory in the East. We have been working with big companies like Hayleys to promote agricultural partnerships in the East. There are a number of those kinds of efforts under way. Surely we would like to do more and there are lots of opportunities there in the East.
Q: Does the financial crisis have any impact on the humanitarian assistance extended by the US or do you still want to continue with your proposed plans?
Thus far we have not really seen a major impact on our assistance in terms of the humanitarian assistance. Those kinds of decisions are made usually a year or two in advance and the money is budgeted for that so I do not anticipate there will be major changes on that side of it. It is possible that there could be an impact in terms of the reconstruction. That will be one of the many factors that the new administration has to consider when we think about ways we might help with the reconstruction of the North.
Q: How specifically does the US government try to address the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka’s North and the East, where hundreds of thousands of families have been displaced?
I think we need to separate that answer into two different questions because they are really displaced in two different parts of the North now. Seventy five thousand or so are still trapped in the North where the LTTE refuses to allow them to leave and refuses freedom of movement. There we are primarily calling on both sides to protect the civilians. First of all, it is incumbent upon the LTTE to let them go and allow them freedom of movement. We also think it is very important that both sides refrain from shelling either out of or into the safe zone where any shell that lands will kill at least ten or twenty people and wound many more. We are very much disturbed that there have been hundreds of civilian casualties just in the last weeks and more than two thousand killed since late January and many thousands wounded. That is the primary concern of ours.
The secondary concern is to make sure that we work with the government and the UN and the ICRC to ensure that adequate supplies of food and medicine reach all of those IDPs. You know most of them have been displaced numerous times, so they are completely dependent on outside assistance for their survival. There have been reports of shortages of food, very serious shortages of medicine and the levels of mortality are extraordinarily high in the safe zone because of the lack of medicine.
In the South (of the Vanni) we work closely with the UN, ICRC, and the government to try to ensure that the camps in Vavuniya are managed up to international standards. Again, as I said earlier, the United States is the largest donor of food assistance to IDPs. We have given about 28 million dollars worth of assistance over the last year. We are also the largest donor to both the UN and the ICRC in terms of our assessed contributions. We have a very important role to play and it is up to the personnel in the area to make sure that things are running well and that food is being distributed in proper way and getting to the right people.
I think it is very, very incumbent upon the government to make sure that camps are run according to the international standards. One of the propaganda points that the LTTE is making is that it is safer in their view for the civilians who are now trapped in the safe zone to stay in the safe zone than it is for them to move to camps. We don’t believe that is true. The Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Sir John Holmes recently visited Sri Lanka and had an opportunity to tour the camps and his basic conclusion was that basic needs are being met. Certainly there is over-crowding in the camps and certainly there are some other issues, but basic needs are being met. The UN and the ICRC and the others are working cooperatively with the government to address whatever the remaining concerns there are.
Q: After the completion of the so-called “humanitarian operation” in the Vanni, how do you want to assist the IDPs in the North?
We will be governed a little bit by what happens on the ground. Those who are now in the North in the safe zone will be temporarily resettled in interim camps down in the south and in Vavuniya, perhaps elsewhere, and we have consistently urged the government to resettle them as quickly as possible. We are encouraged that the government has announced that 80 percent of them will be settled by the end of this year, and that they intend to begin very soon to resettle those in Mannar and Vavuniya back to their original homes. That will be a very important consideration for us in terms of future support to make sure that our aid is going to support only these interim camps.
When we look at longer term reconstruction opportunities, first and foremost it will be important for the government to come forward with the plan of where it sees the needs, where the government itself will be putting its own resources and where therefore the international community can be of most assistance. We look forward to that and we shall encourage our friends in the government to work cooperatively and to consult local and international NGOs about what their needs are and have a very participatory and open process as they come forward with their own plan.
Another very important consideration is the kind of political arrangement the government puts forward for the North and specifically that it comes forward with candidates for provincial council and chief minister positions who enjoy the full support of the people of the North - particularly the Tamils and the Muslims of the North so they can be confident that their leadership understands their concerns and is fully committed to addressing those concerns. A very open democratic process in which the international and local organizations are allowed to monitor elections will be a very important principal for us and will help to determine how much we can assist in the reconstruction of the North.
Q: The Eastern province was officially liberated by the government in November 2007, but still IDPs are living in camps. What sort of measures can be taken to help them to return and resume their lives in their own villages?
To be fair, the vast majority of IDPs have been resettled already in the East. It is true there are some left, but a far greater concern is now the IDPs in the North. In the East the main priority is to complete the de-mining process so that they can return to their villages as quickly as possible. We encouraged the government to do that and I think they are committed to doing that. Beyond that, as I said, we are working a great deal on stabilization and development programs.
Q: How do you see the human rights situation in Sri Lanka? How can the US government help support the Sri Lankan government to improve the human right situation here?
The United States has been concerned about the deterioration in human rights over the last several years in Sri Lanka; specifically we have been concerned by the very high levels of abductions, disappearances, extra judicial killings and the threats to media freedom.
In terms of what we can do about it, it is really most important for the government to address these issues and we surely do our best to bring this to their attention. We publish an annual human rights report that is quite detailed and based on the best available information we have from a wide range of sources including the government. We also have a very active dialogue with the government, with NGOs, and victims of human rights abuses to protect those, particularly the journalists and the lawyers, who are most at risk.
We also encourage the government to address the problem of impunity - that is the failure to bring anyone to justice for any of the human right crimes that have been committed. I think there are lots of very important human rights priorities and it is particularly important now because human rights problems have disproportionately affected the Tamils here. National reconciliation is going to have to be achieved after the end of the fighting in the North. Improving the human rights situation will be a very important part of that.
Q: US Assistant Secretary for Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher talked about an alleged process to evacuate the people from the Vanni. What can you comment on that?
There has been a lot of misconceptions about a US led evacuation. Let me categorically say that there are no US plans to lead an evacuation of civilians. There was a team here for a brief period of time to look at contingencies for how we might assist if we were asked to do so by the government and by the LTTE. So far we have not received any such request. There are no active plans at this moment by the US military or any other US government agencies to evacuate the civilians.
The very first thing that must happen, as I said earlier, is for the LTTE to decide to allow these civilians to leave. We are now devoting whatever efforts we can to persuade the LTTE to do that. That is the first and foremost consideration. If the government and the LTTE decided the best way to do that is through the US, we will be glad to consider that request but there is no such request on the table.
Q: I think recently the LTTE asked the UN to visit the Vanni to witness the current situation. They also mentioned that if the people wanted to leave with the UN they don’t have any objection about it, but the LTTE clearly stated that the UN must first get opinions from the people about the evacuation. What do you want to say about that scenario? If the LTTE requested the same from the US government, would you evacuate the people from Vanni?
This is something we always say, that the LTTE should allow the civilians to exercise their freedom of movement. If the civilians want to leave they should be allowed to leave. In a way I am glad to hear that the LTTE is prepared to ask that. But I don’t think we need the UN or anyone else to do an evacuation, they should just be allowed to go. The ICRC sends ships almost every day to evacuate the wounded. If the LTTE is willing to let the people go, they must put them in the ships and let them go. I do not think we need UN for that. I am little skeptical about this particular announcement.
Q: What sort of actions could be done to improve media freedom in Sri Lanka? How can the US Government assist in this?
Media freedom is one of the central concerns now in the human right situation in Sri Lanka. It is of concern because many journalists have been killed over the last several years and many others have been harassed, intimidated, or their families have been harassed. Many journalists are afraid and many members of civil society are afraid and that has a very chilling impact on public debate, particularly about the war.
The people that have been most at risk are those who try to provide most independent reporting on what is going on in the war. Frankly I do not think that should be seen as an unpatriotic effort, as it often is cast in the media here. The US makes a great effort to provide opportunities for independent media to go into Iraq or to go into Afghanistan. During the American military efforts there the reporters were embedded with American military units and reported freely on what was going on, in fact American media were the ones that first reported on things like the Abu Ghraib scandal. Had it not been for the independent media who were in Iraq that story would have never come to light.
The media play a very important role in ensuring accountability and that it is one of the reasons why we really believe this is an important part of ensuring human right here. Therefore, in terms of what needs to be done, I think that those that have killed or harassed or intimidated journalists need to be brought to justice. They need to be punished. There needs to be a clear policy that that kind of behavior will not be tolerated and so far there is not such a clear policy. There is a very high degree of impunity, as I said earlier, and I think that is the main priority on the media freedom front.
Q: How can the US government assist Sri Lankan journalists to improve their abilities and careers? Do you have any plans?
We do not really have scholarships for journalists. We have a wide range of exchange programs where many Sri Lankan journalists have benefitted, like the International Visitors Program where they go to the United States for periods of two to four weeks to various kinds of programs. Sometimes they are related to specific skills, like environmental reporting or human rights reporting, and some are general programs, like what we had during the American election. We also try to arrange for American experts to come here to Sri Lanka and meet with our counterparts, and we take advantage of our digital video conferencing capabilities to put Sri Lankan media in touch with American counterparts to discuss various matters. So there are a whole range of different efforts underway. We have supported the development of independent media in places like the East as well.
Q: Years from now, if you were asked by someone to tell a story about Sri Lanka what would you tell? What memory would linger in your mind?
That is a hard question. My family and I have had a wonderful experience in Sri Lanka, including many friends we have made and many wonderful travel experiences we have had around this country. If I had to recount one story it might be the time I spent last year when we went on a hiking trip up in the Knuckles range of Sri Lanka, one of the most beautiful and wild parts of your country. I was going with some Sri Lankan friends who were a little bit concerned about my safety, much more concerned than I was! They arranged for some Sri Lankan Army commandos to come with us, allegedly to provide security for me. I protested that I did not need any kind of security, but they were insistent and they came with us. I also liked to have them because it was fun to talk to them. One evening we were staying at our friend’s quarters and the people who were working there were Tamils. I was really struck how these Sinhalese Army commandos instantly struck up a very friendly and positive rapport with the Tamil people of that area and it showed me that the vast majority of people in this country do want peace. They are very happy to live in harmony with each other. Here we live in the fishbowl of Colombo, where politics are highly polarized and politicians have for twenty-five years been unable to come to grips with the central problems facing this country, which is why we have this civil war going on for so long. But the people, if left to them themselves without the politicians, can quite easily get along very well and in fact they want peace. The Tamils, Muslims, Sinhalese and others still very much want to live together. There are no issues about racism, chauvinism or anything like that which one hears about in Colombo.
It is important for political leaders to understand that they should not try to sew division between people, but take advantage of the great support that exists in this country for peace and try to use that advantage to create peace. That is my hope for Sri Lanka and that will be my greatest memory - of all the decent and moderate peace-loving people that I have met in this country.
Q: One more question, the last one. What would you like to comment about the USAID funded Internews’ Lifeline Humanitarian Information Service?
I am very proud of everything that Lifeline has accomplished and we are pleased to be able to support Lifeline. It is extremely important to have the opportunity to reach out to IDPs and other segments of society, to have them understand that people like the American Ambassador and the American government are very much concerned about their welfare and are working very hard to address their needs and to make sure the government and others address their needs. I think organizations like yours [Internews] fulfill a very important function in helping to articulate and surface some of the issues that IDPs are facing. I really commend you for the important work you are doing and for the efforts to really reach out to this very important segment of Sri Lankan society. IDPs are numerous in this country, particularly some of the longer term IDPs. I can imagine that they sometimes fear that their problems have been neglected for many years. They have not been forgotten. It is important for them to know that.
End
Courtesy:U.S. Department of State.
Interview with Ambassador Robert Blake
Colombo, Tuesday March 17, 2009 – S. Ramanan for Internews
Q: How is the new Obama administration already changing the US foreign policy and how is this going to affect Sri Lanka?
President Obama wants to lead by example in the world and I think that was shown in some of the decisions that he made in the first week of his administration. First, by stating his intention to close down the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay within a year and secondly, by announcing that the United States will no longer engage in torture, as a matter of policy. Those were very important signals I think to the rest of the world.
Beyond that the President has said that he wants to strengthen our partnerships around the world. He wants to engage both our enemies and our allies alike. I think there is a new pragmatism in his foreign policy. For example, his willingness to talk with the Iranians, to perhaps discuss issues like Afghanistan. I think you are going to see overall much more pragmatic foreign policy and if things are not working, the President has a very flexible mind and is willing to look at new alternatives. When it comes to Sri Lanka, our policy in Sri Lanka has been constant through many different administrations, both Democratic and Republican, and that has been to support in every way we can to promote peace in this country.
Q: What are the US government’s strategic goals in Sri Lanka?
Our main goal remains to try to help to promote peace. We think that by achieving peace one can do so much to promote prosperity here, and reduce all of the problems that have been associated with the conflict, like human rights and humanitarian problems. We want Sri Lanka to take its rightful place as one of the most developed and moderate countries in the region, a country with a great deal of opportunity once it can get beyond the conflict. So we focus a lot on promotion of peace, but part of that certainly has to be to focus on solving the humanitarian situation and also greatly improving the human rights situation.
Q: How do you go about achieving those goals?
We go about it in number of ways. First of all through advocacy - that is the purpose of diplomats around the world. We work very closely with the President and others within his cabinet to try to promote peace and the various aspects of that. We also have a quite important program under the US Agency for International Development to help not only with the conflict situation, for example we are the largest donor of food aid food assistance to the internally displaced people in the Vanni, but we also have a very important program in the East to try to help stabilize and develop that very important region of Sri Lanka.
Now that the LTTE has been evicted from that area we think there is an opportunity to build peace and prosperity in that multi-ethnic part of Sri Lanka and that could be a very positive example of how the North might be managed as part of future efforts there. We are engaged in trying to encourage new private sector activity to create jobs for young people so they will no longer feel they need to resort to violence and to join paramilitaries. We are working a lot to try to encourage a much improved security atmosphere through, for example, disarming the paramilitaries. We have tried on issues like child soldiers to encourage the TMVP and the others to completely release all child soldiers and we are also working to improve governance in the East through helping independent media and civil society to grow.
Q: You have mentioned the opportunities for the youth in the East. Could you explain about your plans? What kind of jobs or training will be available for the youth in the East?
As you said the most important thing is to create jobs and provide opportunities for the young people and we feel the best way to do that is through private sector activities, not through government jobs. So we set up a public private partnership fund whereby we will partner with private sector companies, Sri Lankan private sector companies and potentially foreign companies as well, to create new opportunities for employment. You may recall, under our Tsunami relief program, we had a very ambitious vocational training where we built nine different vocational training facilities in the Southern and the Eastern parts of the country and those have been very successful.
The next step is to get some of the big companies to come in and invest. I think by partnering with us they can take advantage of good access that we have in Colombo to the various ministries if they have problems. For example, we have very good partnership with Brandix which is going to build up a new apparel factory in the East. We have been working with big companies like Hayleys to promote agricultural partnerships in the East. There are a number of those kinds of efforts under way. Surely we would like to do more and there are lots of opportunities there in the East.
Q: Does the financial crisis have any impact on the humanitarian assistance extended by the US or do you still want to continue with your proposed plans?
Thus far we have not really seen a major impact on our assistance in terms of the humanitarian assistance. Those kinds of decisions are made usually a year or two in advance and the money is budgeted for that so I do not anticipate there will be major changes on that side of it. It is possible that there could be an impact in terms of the reconstruction. That will be one of the many factors that the new administration has to consider when we think about ways we might help with the reconstruction of the North.
Q: How specifically does the US government try to address the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka’s North and the East, where hundreds of thousands of families have been displaced?
I think we need to separate that answer into two different questions because they are really displaced in two different parts of the North now. Seventy five thousand or so are still trapped in the North where the LTTE refuses to allow them to leave and refuses freedom of movement. There we are primarily calling on both sides to protect the civilians. First of all, it is incumbent upon the LTTE to let them go and allow them freedom of movement. We also think it is very important that both sides refrain from shelling either out of or into the safe zone where any shell that lands will kill at least ten or twenty people and wound many more. We are very much disturbed that there have been hundreds of civilian casualties just in the last weeks and more than two thousand killed since late January and many thousands wounded. That is the primary concern of ours.
The secondary concern is to make sure that we work with the government and the UN and the ICRC to ensure that adequate supplies of food and medicine reach all of those IDPs. You know most of them have been displaced numerous times, so they are completely dependent on outside assistance for their survival. There have been reports of shortages of food, very serious shortages of medicine and the levels of mortality are extraordinarily high in the safe zone because of the lack of medicine.
In the South (of the Vanni) we work closely with the UN, ICRC, and the government to try to ensure that the camps in Vavuniya are managed up to international standards. Again, as I said earlier, the United States is the largest donor of food assistance to IDPs. We have given about 28 million dollars worth of assistance over the last year. We are also the largest donor to both the UN and the ICRC in terms of our assessed contributions. We have a very important role to play and it is up to the personnel in the area to make sure that things are running well and that food is being distributed in proper way and getting to the right people.
I think it is very, very incumbent upon the government to make sure that camps are run according to the international standards. One of the propaganda points that the LTTE is making is that it is safer in their view for the civilians who are now trapped in the safe zone to stay in the safe zone than it is for them to move to camps. We don’t believe that is true. The Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Sir John Holmes recently visited Sri Lanka and had an opportunity to tour the camps and his basic conclusion was that basic needs are being met. Certainly there is over-crowding in the camps and certainly there are some other issues, but basic needs are being met. The UN and the ICRC and the others are working cooperatively with the government to address whatever the remaining concerns there are.
Q: After the completion of the so-called “humanitarian operation” in the Vanni, how do you want to assist the IDPs in the North?
We will be governed a little bit by what happens on the ground. Those who are now in the North in the safe zone will be temporarily resettled in interim camps down in the south and in Vavuniya, perhaps elsewhere, and we have consistently urged the government to resettle them as quickly as possible. We are encouraged that the government has announced that 80 percent of them will be settled by the end of this year, and that they intend to begin very soon to resettle those in Mannar and Vavuniya back to their original homes. That will be a very important consideration for us in terms of future support to make sure that our aid is going to support only these interim camps.
When we look at longer term reconstruction opportunities, first and foremost it will be important for the government to come forward with the plan of where it sees the needs, where the government itself will be putting its own resources and where therefore the international community can be of most assistance. We look forward to that and we shall encourage our friends in the government to work cooperatively and to consult local and international NGOs about what their needs are and have a very participatory and open process as they come forward with their own plan.
Another very important consideration is the kind of political arrangement the government puts forward for the North and specifically that it comes forward with candidates for provincial council and chief minister positions who enjoy the full support of the people of the North - particularly the Tamils and the Muslims of the North so they can be confident that their leadership understands their concerns and is fully committed to addressing those concerns. A very open democratic process in which the international and local organizations are allowed to monitor elections will be a very important principal for us and will help to determine how much we can assist in the reconstruction of the North.
Q: The Eastern province was officially liberated by the government in November 2007, but still IDPs are living in camps. What sort of measures can be taken to help them to return and resume their lives in their own villages?
To be fair, the vast majority of IDPs have been resettled already in the East. It is true there are some left, but a far greater concern is now the IDPs in the North. In the East the main priority is to complete the de-mining process so that they can return to their villages as quickly as possible. We encouraged the government to do that and I think they are committed to doing that. Beyond that, as I said, we are working a great deal on stabilization and development programs.
Q: How do you see the human rights situation in Sri Lanka? How can the US government help support the Sri Lankan government to improve the human right situation here?
The United States has been concerned about the deterioration in human rights over the last several years in Sri Lanka; specifically we have been concerned by the very high levels of abductions, disappearances, extra judicial killings and the threats to media freedom.
In terms of what we can do about it, it is really most important for the government to address these issues and we surely do our best to bring this to their attention. We publish an annual human rights report that is quite detailed and based on the best available information we have from a wide range of sources including the government. We also have a very active dialogue with the government, with NGOs, and victims of human rights abuses to protect those, particularly the journalists and the lawyers, who are most at risk.
We also encourage the government to address the problem of impunity - that is the failure to bring anyone to justice for any of the human right crimes that have been committed. I think there are lots of very important human rights priorities and it is particularly important now because human rights problems have disproportionately affected the Tamils here. National reconciliation is going to have to be achieved after the end of the fighting in the North. Improving the human rights situation will be a very important part of that.
Q: US Assistant Secretary for Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher talked about an alleged process to evacuate the people from the Vanni. What can you comment on that?
There has been a lot of misconceptions about a US led evacuation. Let me categorically say that there are no US plans to lead an evacuation of civilians. There was a team here for a brief period of time to look at contingencies for how we might assist if we were asked to do so by the government and by the LTTE. So far we have not received any such request. There are no active plans at this moment by the US military or any other US government agencies to evacuate the civilians.
The very first thing that must happen, as I said earlier, is for the LTTE to decide to allow these civilians to leave. We are now devoting whatever efforts we can to persuade the LTTE to do that. That is the first and foremost consideration. If the government and the LTTE decided the best way to do that is through the US, we will be glad to consider that request but there is no such request on the table.
Q: I think recently the LTTE asked the UN to visit the Vanni to witness the current situation. They also mentioned that if the people wanted to leave with the UN they don’t have any objection about it, but the LTTE clearly stated that the UN must first get opinions from the people about the evacuation. What do you want to say about that scenario? If the LTTE requested the same from the US government, would you evacuate the people from Vanni?
This is something we always say, that the LTTE should allow the civilians to exercise their freedom of movement. If the civilians want to leave they should be allowed to leave. In a way I am glad to hear that the LTTE is prepared to ask that. But I don’t think we need the UN or anyone else to do an evacuation, they should just be allowed to go. The ICRC sends ships almost every day to evacuate the wounded. If the LTTE is willing to let the people go, they must put them in the ships and let them go. I do not think we need UN for that. I am little skeptical about this particular announcement.
Q: What sort of actions could be done to improve media freedom in Sri Lanka? How can the US Government assist in this?
Media freedom is one of the central concerns now in the human right situation in Sri Lanka. It is of concern because many journalists have been killed over the last several years and many others have been harassed, intimidated, or their families have been harassed. Many journalists are afraid and many members of civil society are afraid and that has a very chilling impact on public debate, particularly about the war.
The people that have been most at risk are those who try to provide most independent reporting on what is going on in the war. Frankly I do not think that should be seen as an unpatriotic effort, as it often is cast in the media here. The US makes a great effort to provide opportunities for independent media to go into Iraq or to go into Afghanistan. During the American military efforts there the reporters were embedded with American military units and reported freely on what was going on, in fact American media were the ones that first reported on things like the Abu Ghraib scandal. Had it not been for the independent media who were in Iraq that story would have never come to light.
The media play a very important role in ensuring accountability and that it is one of the reasons why we really believe this is an important part of ensuring human right here. Therefore, in terms of what needs to be done, I think that those that have killed or harassed or intimidated journalists need to be brought to justice. They need to be punished. There needs to be a clear policy that that kind of behavior will not be tolerated and so far there is not such a clear policy. There is a very high degree of impunity, as I said earlier, and I think that is the main priority on the media freedom front.
Q: How can the US government assist Sri Lankan journalists to improve their abilities and careers? Do you have any plans?
We do not really have scholarships for journalists. We have a wide range of exchange programs where many Sri Lankan journalists have benefitted, like the International Visitors Program where they go to the United States for periods of two to four weeks to various kinds of programs. Sometimes they are related to specific skills, like environmental reporting or human rights reporting, and some are general programs, like what we had during the American election. We also try to arrange for American experts to come here to Sri Lanka and meet with our counterparts, and we take advantage of our digital video conferencing capabilities to put Sri Lankan media in touch with American counterparts to discuss various matters. So there are a whole range of different efforts underway. We have supported the development of independent media in places like the East as well.
Q: Years from now, if you were asked by someone to tell a story about Sri Lanka what would you tell? What memory would linger in your mind?
That is a hard question. My family and I have had a wonderful experience in Sri Lanka, including many friends we have made and many wonderful travel experiences we have had around this country. If I had to recount one story it might be the time I spent last year when we went on a hiking trip up in the Knuckles range of Sri Lanka, one of the most beautiful and wild parts of your country. I was going with some Sri Lankan friends who were a little bit concerned about my safety, much more concerned than I was! They arranged for some Sri Lankan Army commandos to come with us, allegedly to provide security for me. I protested that I did not need any kind of security, but they were insistent and they came with us. I also liked to have them because it was fun to talk to them. One evening we were staying at our friend’s quarters and the people who were working there were Tamils. I was really struck how these Sinhalese Army commandos instantly struck up a very friendly and positive rapport with the Tamil people of that area and it showed me that the vast majority of people in this country do want peace. They are very happy to live in harmony with each other. Here we live in the fishbowl of Colombo, where politics are highly polarized and politicians have for twenty-five years been unable to come to grips with the central problems facing this country, which is why we have this civil war going on for so long. But the people, if left to them themselves without the politicians, can quite easily get along very well and in fact they want peace. The Tamils, Muslims, Sinhalese and others still very much want to live together. There are no issues about racism, chauvinism or anything like that which one hears about in Colombo.
It is important for political leaders to understand that they should not try to sew division between people, but take advantage of the great support that exists in this country for peace and try to use that advantage to create peace. That is my hope for Sri Lanka and that will be my greatest memory - of all the decent and moderate peace-loving people that I have met in this country.
Q: One more question, the last one. What would you like to comment about the USAID funded Internews’ Lifeline Humanitarian Information Service?
I am very proud of everything that Lifeline has accomplished and we are pleased to be able to support Lifeline. It is extremely important to have the opportunity to reach out to IDPs and other segments of society, to have them understand that people like the American Ambassador and the American government are very much concerned about their welfare and are working very hard to address their needs and to make sure the government and others address their needs. I think organizations like yours [Internews] fulfill a very important function in helping to articulate and surface some of the issues that IDPs are facing. I really commend you for the important work you are doing and for the efforts to really reach out to this very important segment of Sri Lankan society. IDPs are numerous in this country, particularly some of the longer term IDPs. I can imagine that they sometimes fear that their problems have been neglected for many years. They have not been forgotten. It is important for them to know that.
End
Courtesy:U.S. Department of State.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
தலைநகரில் எமது அரசியல் பிரதிநிதித்துவத்தை அதிகரித்துக்கொள்வதே எமது பிரதான நோக்கமாகும்!!!
தலைநகரில் எமது அரசியல் பிரதிநிதித்துவத்தை அதிகரித்துக்கொள்வதே எமது பிரதான நோக்கமாகும்
[18 - March - 2009]
* மனோகணேசன் கூறுகிறார்
எந்தவொரு பெரும்பான்மைக் கட்சியும் ஆட்சி செய்யும் பொழுது எமது இனத்தின் உரிமைகளை விரும்பி வழங்கும் சரித்திரம் இந்நாட்டில் கிடையாது. எனவே இன்றைய நெருக்கடிமிக்க அரசியல் சூழ்நிலையில் தலைநகரத்திலே எமது தமிழர் அரசியல் பிரதிநிதித்துவத்தை உறுதிப்படுத்தி, அதை அதிகரித்துக்கொள்வதுதான் எமது பிரதான நோக்கங்களாக இருக்கவேண்டும். அரசியல் பிரதிநிதித்துவத்தை பறிகொடுத்துவிட்டு துன்பம் வரும்பொழுது செய்வதறியாமல் திகைத்து நிற்பதென்பது கண்கெட்ட பின் சூரிய நமஸ்காரம் செய்வதற்கு ஒப்பானதாகுமென ஜனநாயக மக்கள் முன்னணியின் தலைவரும் கொழும்பு மாவட்ட எம்.பி.யுமான மனோகணேசன் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.
மேல் மாகாணசபைத் தேர்தலில் போட்டியிடும் ஜ.ம.மு. வேட்பாளர்களின் தென்கொழும்பு தேர்தல் பிரசாரக் கூட்டம் முன்னணியின் பாமன்கடை தென்கொழும்பு அலுவலகத்தில் நடைபெற்றபொழுது மனோகணேசன் இவ்வாறு தெரிவித்தார். அங்கு அவர் மேலும் உரையாற்றுகையில்;
ஒரு தமிழரும் ஒரு சிங்களவரும் தெரிவுசெய்யப்படுவதற்காக ஆரம்பத்தில் தென்கொழும்பு தொகுதி இரட்டை அங்கத்தவர் தொகுதியாக உருவாக்கப்பட்டது. ஆனால் ஒருபோதும் இங்கே தமிழ் வேட்பாளர்கள் வெற்றி பெறவில்லை. அதேபோல் மத்திய கொழும்பு தொகுதிகளிலும் ஒரு தமிழரும் ஒரு முஸ்லிமும் ஒரு சிங்களவரும் தெரிவுசெய்யப்படுவதற்காக மூன்று அங்கத்தவர் தொகுதியாக உருவாக்கப்பட்டது. இங்கேயும் நீண்ட நெடுங்காலமாக தமிழர்கள் தெரிவுசெய்யப்படாமல் மாற்று இனத்தவர்களே தேர்தல்களில் தெரிவானார்கள். தமிழ் மக்கள் சிந்தித்து தமது அரசியல் பிரதிநிதித்துவத்தை தக்கவைத்துக்கொள்ளும் நோக்கில் பொறுப்புடன் வாக்களிக்காத காரணத்தினாலேயே இத்தகைய நிலைமை உருவானது.
இன்று கொழும்பு மாவட்டத்திலே குறைந்தபட்சமாக மூன்று தமிழ் மாகாணசபை உறுப்பினர்களையும் எதிர்காலத்தில் மூன்று தமிழ் பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர்களையும் தெரிவுசெய்து கொள்ளக்கூடிய வாய்ப்பை நாம் திட்டமிட்டு உருவாக்கியுள்ளோம். எமது ஜனநாயக மக்கள் முன்னணி கடந்த பல்லாண்டுகளாக கொழும்பு மாவட்டத்திலே நடத்தி வந்த தனித்துவ அரசியல் காரணமாக நாம் இன்று வளர்ச்சியடைந்துள்ளோம்.
எமது இனத்தவர்களின் வாக்குகளைப் பயன்படுத்தி தம்மை வளர்த்துக்கொண்ட பெரும்பான்மை அரசியல்வாதிகளின் மத்தியிலே எமது வாக்குகளை எம்மவர்களுக்குப் பயன்படுத்தி எமது இனத்தின் அரசியல் பிரதிநிதித்துவத்தை உறுதிப்படுத்திக் கொள்ளும் சந்தர்ப்பத்தை நாம் திட்டமிட்டு உருவாக்கியுள்ளோம்.
இந்நிலையில் இந்த அரிய வாய்ப்பை பயன்படுத்துவதற்கு தலைநகர தமிழ் வாக்காளர்கள் தயாராகவேண்டும். அனைத்து பதிவுசெய்யப்பட்ட தமிழ் வாக்காளர்களும் வாக்களிப்பை ஒரு கடமையாகக் கருதி வாக்களிக்க வேண்டும். வாக்களிக்கும் அனைத்து தமிழ் வாக்காளர்களும் யானை சின்னத்திற்கு வாக்களிக்க வேண்டும். யானை சின்னத்திற்கு வாக்களிக்கும் தமிழ் வாக்காளர் ஒவ்வொருவரும் தமது விருப்பு வாக்குகள் மூன்றையும் எமது மூன்று வேட்பாளர்களுக்கும் வழங்கவேண்டும். இதுவே எமது பிரதான தேர்தல் பிரசார செய்தியாக இருக்கவேண்டுமென்றும் தெரிவித்தார்.
Thinakkural.com / Thinakural.com - Site By Evosof.com
[18 - March - 2009]
* மனோகணேசன் கூறுகிறார்
எந்தவொரு பெரும்பான்மைக் கட்சியும் ஆட்சி செய்யும் பொழுது எமது இனத்தின் உரிமைகளை விரும்பி வழங்கும் சரித்திரம் இந்நாட்டில் கிடையாது. எனவே இன்றைய நெருக்கடிமிக்க அரசியல் சூழ்நிலையில் தலைநகரத்திலே எமது தமிழர் அரசியல் பிரதிநிதித்துவத்தை உறுதிப்படுத்தி, அதை அதிகரித்துக்கொள்வதுதான் எமது பிரதான நோக்கங்களாக இருக்கவேண்டும். அரசியல் பிரதிநிதித்துவத்தை பறிகொடுத்துவிட்டு துன்பம் வரும்பொழுது செய்வதறியாமல் திகைத்து நிற்பதென்பது கண்கெட்ட பின் சூரிய நமஸ்காரம் செய்வதற்கு ஒப்பானதாகுமென ஜனநாயக மக்கள் முன்னணியின் தலைவரும் கொழும்பு மாவட்ட எம்.பி.யுமான மனோகணேசன் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.
மேல் மாகாணசபைத் தேர்தலில் போட்டியிடும் ஜ.ம.மு. வேட்பாளர்களின் தென்கொழும்பு தேர்தல் பிரசாரக் கூட்டம் முன்னணியின் பாமன்கடை தென்கொழும்பு அலுவலகத்தில் நடைபெற்றபொழுது மனோகணேசன் இவ்வாறு தெரிவித்தார். அங்கு அவர் மேலும் உரையாற்றுகையில்;
ஒரு தமிழரும் ஒரு சிங்களவரும் தெரிவுசெய்யப்படுவதற்காக ஆரம்பத்தில் தென்கொழும்பு தொகுதி இரட்டை அங்கத்தவர் தொகுதியாக உருவாக்கப்பட்டது. ஆனால் ஒருபோதும் இங்கே தமிழ் வேட்பாளர்கள் வெற்றி பெறவில்லை. அதேபோல் மத்திய கொழும்பு தொகுதிகளிலும் ஒரு தமிழரும் ஒரு முஸ்லிமும் ஒரு சிங்களவரும் தெரிவுசெய்யப்படுவதற்காக மூன்று அங்கத்தவர் தொகுதியாக உருவாக்கப்பட்டது. இங்கேயும் நீண்ட நெடுங்காலமாக தமிழர்கள் தெரிவுசெய்யப்படாமல் மாற்று இனத்தவர்களே தேர்தல்களில் தெரிவானார்கள். தமிழ் மக்கள் சிந்தித்து தமது அரசியல் பிரதிநிதித்துவத்தை தக்கவைத்துக்கொள்ளும் நோக்கில் பொறுப்புடன் வாக்களிக்காத காரணத்தினாலேயே இத்தகைய நிலைமை உருவானது.
இன்று கொழும்பு மாவட்டத்திலே குறைந்தபட்சமாக மூன்று தமிழ் மாகாணசபை உறுப்பினர்களையும் எதிர்காலத்தில் மூன்று தமிழ் பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர்களையும் தெரிவுசெய்து கொள்ளக்கூடிய வாய்ப்பை நாம் திட்டமிட்டு உருவாக்கியுள்ளோம். எமது ஜனநாயக மக்கள் முன்னணி கடந்த பல்லாண்டுகளாக கொழும்பு மாவட்டத்திலே நடத்தி வந்த தனித்துவ அரசியல் காரணமாக நாம் இன்று வளர்ச்சியடைந்துள்ளோம்.
எமது இனத்தவர்களின் வாக்குகளைப் பயன்படுத்தி தம்மை வளர்த்துக்கொண்ட பெரும்பான்மை அரசியல்வாதிகளின் மத்தியிலே எமது வாக்குகளை எம்மவர்களுக்குப் பயன்படுத்தி எமது இனத்தின் அரசியல் பிரதிநிதித்துவத்தை உறுதிப்படுத்திக் கொள்ளும் சந்தர்ப்பத்தை நாம் திட்டமிட்டு உருவாக்கியுள்ளோம்.
இந்நிலையில் இந்த அரிய வாய்ப்பை பயன்படுத்துவதற்கு தலைநகர தமிழ் வாக்காளர்கள் தயாராகவேண்டும். அனைத்து பதிவுசெய்யப்பட்ட தமிழ் வாக்காளர்களும் வாக்களிப்பை ஒரு கடமையாகக் கருதி வாக்களிக்க வேண்டும். வாக்களிக்கும் அனைத்து தமிழ் வாக்காளர்களும் யானை சின்னத்திற்கு வாக்களிக்க வேண்டும். யானை சின்னத்திற்கு வாக்களிக்கும் தமிழ் வாக்காளர் ஒவ்வொருவரும் தமது விருப்பு வாக்குகள் மூன்றையும் எமது மூன்று வேட்பாளர்களுக்கும் வழங்கவேண்டும். இதுவே எமது பிரதான தேர்தல் பிரசார செய்தியாக இருக்கவேண்டுமென்றும் தெரிவித்தார்.
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Thursday, March 12, 2009
ஈழப்படுகொலை இந்தியாவின் தூண்டுதலே : விக்ரமபாகு கருணாரட்ண செவ்வி !!!
ஈழப்படுகொலை இந்தியாவின் தூண்டுதலே : விக்ரமபாகு கருணாரட்ண செவ்வி
11-03-2009
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இந்திய அரசுக்கு எதிராக அனைத்துலக சமூகம் கிளர்ந்தெழ வேண்டும்:விக்கிரமபாகு கருணாரட்ண - ஈழத் தமிழர் விவகாரத்தில் இந்தியா மேற்கொண்டு வரும் மனிதாபிமானத்திற்கு எதிரான குற்றத்தை அனைத்துலக சமூகம் கிளர்ந்தெழுந்து கண்டிக்க வேண்டும் என நவ சமசமாஜக் கட்சியின் தலைவர் கலாநிதி விக்கிரமபாகு கருணாரட்ண தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.
தமிழ் மக்களின் சுயநிர்ணய உரிமைக்காக நீண்ட காலமாகக் குரல் கொடுத்து வருபவர்களில் கலாநிதி விக்கிரமபாகு கருணாரட்னவும் ஒருவர். ஜக்கிய தொழிலாளர் சம்மேளனம், காணாமல் போனோர் விசாரணை ஆணைக்குழு என்பவற்றின் போசகராகவும், இலங்கை தொடருந்து பணியாளர் சங்கத்தின் தலைவராகவும் விளங்கும் இவர் அண்மையில் நெதர்லாந்தின் அம்ஸ்ரர்டாம் நகருக்கு சென்றிருந்த போது சுவிசில் இருந்து வாரமிருமுறை வெளிவரும் 'நிலவரம்' வார ஏட்டுக்கு நேர்காணல் வழங்கியுள்ளார்.
அந்த நேர்காணல் வருமாறு :
நான்காம் அகிலத்தின் அனைத்துலகக் குழுவின் மாநாடு நெதர்லாந்து அம்ஸ்ரர்டாம் நகரில் நடைபெற்ற போது இலங்கையின் தமிழர் தாயகத்தில் நடைபெறும் யுத்தம் தொடர்பான தீர்மானம் ஒன்று நிறைவேற்றப்பட்டதாக அறிகின்றோம். இது தொடர்பாக சற்று விளக்குவீர்களா?
ஆம், நான்காவது அகிலத்தின் கூட்டத்திலே தமிழர்கள் மீதான தாக்குதல்களை உடன் நிறுத்துமாறு கோரும் தீர்மானமொன்றைக் கொண்டு வந்தேன். அரசாங்கம் விடுதலைப் புலிகளுடன் வடக்கு கிழக்கில் ஒரு இடைக்கால அரசை நிறுவுவதற்கான பேச்சுக்களில் ஈடுபட வேண்டும். தமிழ் மக்களுக்கு அரசியல் அமைப்பு ரீதியில் உரிமைகள் வழங்கப்பட வேண்டும் எனவும் அதில் கோரியிருந்தேன்.
இந்தத் தீர்மானத்திற்கு கலந்து கொண்டோரிடம் இருந்து எத்தகைய ஆதரவு கிடைத்தது?
அங்குள்ள நிலமைகளைக் கேள்வியுற்று அவர்கள் மிகவும் அதிர்ச்சியடைந்தார்கள். அவர்கள் ஏகமனதாக இந்தப் பிரேரணையை அங்கீகரித்தார்கள். தத்தம் நாடுகளில் இந்த விடயத்தை பல வழிகளிலும் முன்னெடுப்பதாகவும் கூறினர். அதேவேளை, இந்தத் தேசியப் பிரச்சினை தொடர்பான தரவுகளையும் விளக்கங்களையும் அறிந்து கொள்ள விரும்பினார்கள். அவர்களுக்கு சில விடயங்கள் தெரிந்திருக்கவில்லை. அவர்கள் மேலதிக தகவல்களை அறிந்து கொள்ள விரும்பிய அதேவேளை, தங்கள் நாடுகளில் ஒருமைப்பாட்டு அமைப்புக்களை உருவாக்குவதற்கும் சம்மதம் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்கள். ஐரோப்பா, அமெரிக்கா, லத்தீன் அமெரிக்கா, ஜப்பான், தென்கிழக்காசிய நாடுகள் என்பவற்றில் இருந்து பிரதிநிதிகள் வருகை தந்து கலந்து கொண்டிருந்தார்கள்.
இந்தத் தீர்மானம் தொடர்பில் மகிந்த ராஜபக்சவின் எதிர்வினை என்னவாக இருக்கும் என நினைக்கின்றீர்கள்?
இன்றைய நிலையில் அவர்கள் மடத்தனமாக கொலைகாரப் பாதையில் சென்று கொண்டிருக்கின்றார்கள். தமிழர்களை அச்சுறுத்திப் பணிய வைத்துவிட முடியும் என அவர்கள் நினைக்கிறார்கள். ஆனால், உலகம் முழுவதிலும் உள்ள உழைக்கும் மக்களும் தொழிற்சங்கங்களும் யுத்தத்துக்கு எதிராக பரப்புரைகளைத் தொடங்கினால் சில மாற்றங்களை எதிர்பார்க்க முடியும். உண்மையிலேயே மகிந்த இந்தியாவின் அழுத்த மற்றும் ஆதரவு காரணமாகவே இந்தப் பாதையில் பயணித்துக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றார். இந்தியாதான் உண்மையான குற்றவாளி. அவர்கள்தான் இந்தச் சூழ்நிலையை உருவாக்கினார்கள். மகிந்த அதற்கு நிர்ப்பந்திக்கப்பட்டுள்ளார். அவர்கள் மகிந்தவின் பின்னால் இருந்து கொண்டு இந்தச் சூழ்நிலையை உருவாக்கியுள்ளார்கள்.
நான் நினைக்கின்றேன்; இந்தியாவுக்கு ஒரு பொருண்மிய நிகழ்ச்சித் திட்டம் இருக்கின்றது. அவர்கள் வளங்களைக் கைப்பற்ற நினைப்பது தெளிவாகப் புரிகின்றது. இயற்கை வளங்களை மட்டுமன்றி மனித வளங்களையும் கைப்பற்ற அவர்கள் நினைத்திருக்கின்றார்கள். அதனாலேயே மகிந்தவை அவர்கள் இதற்கு நிர்ப்பந்தித்துள்ளார்கள்.
உலகம் இதனை நன்கு உணர்ந்துகொள்ள வேண்டும். மகிந்தவுக்கு உதவுவதை நிறுத்துமாறு உலக சமூகம் இந்தியாவுக்கு அழுத்தம் தர வேண்டும். ஆயுதங்கள் வெடி மருந்துகள், தொழில்நுட்பம் மற்றும் ஆலோசனை என்பவற்றை வழங்குவதை நிறுத்துமாறு கோர வேண்டும்.
ராஜீவ் காந்தி கொலையே இந்தியா இவ்வாறு செயற்படக் காரணம் என சிலர் கூறி வருகின்றனரே?
ராஜீவ் காந்தி கொலை, பொதுமக்களைப் பொறுத்தவரை ஒரு விடயமாக உள்ளது உண்மையே. அதேவேளை ஆளும் பிராமண வர்க்கத்தினால் இதுவொரு கருவியாகப் பயன்படுத்தப்பட்டு வருகின்றது. உண்மையிலேயே ராஜீவ் காந்தி கொலை ஒரு பிரதான காரணமாயிருந்தால் இன்று தமிழ் நாட்டில் நடக்கின்ற விடயங்கள் எவ்வாறு நடக்க முடியும்? தென்னிந்தியாவிலே மக்கள் உணர்வெழுச்சி கொண்டுள்ளனர். தங்களுக்குத் தாங்களே தீ முட்டிக் கொள்கின்றனர். எனவே, இந்தியாவின் நிலைப்பாட்டிற்கு இதுவொரு பிரதான காரணம் எனக் கூறிவிட முடியாது. உண்மையில் பொருண்மியக் காரணங்களுக்காகவே இந்தியப் பூர்சுவாக்கள் இத்தகைய செயற்பாடுகளில் ஈடுபட்டு வருகின்றனர்.
பொருண்மியக் காரணம் என நீங்கள் கூறுவதை சற்று விளக்க முடியுமா?
தென்கிழக்காசியாவின் பொருளாதாரத்தை தமது கட்டுப்பாட்டின் கீழ் கொண்டு வரும் ஒரு திட்டம் அவர்களிடம் உள்ளது. பாகிஸ்தான், பங்களாதேஸ், சிறிலங்கா, மாலைதீவு உட்பட அனைத்து பிரதேசமும் தமது கட்டுப்பாட்டில் இருக்க வேண்டுமென அவர்கள் விரும்புகின்றனர். அமெரிக்கா இந்த நிகழ்ச்சித் திட்டத்துக்கு ஆதரவு வழங்கி வருகின்றது. தற்போதைய நிலையில் அமெரிக்காவும். இந்தியாவும் சிறந்த நட்பு நாடுகளாக விளங்கி வருகின்றன. மன்மோகன் சிங்கைப் பொறுத்தவரை ஆடையில் மாத்திரமே அவர் இந்தியர். நிஜத்தில் அவர் ஓர் உலக வங்கி நபர். அவர் நிஜமான அமெரிக்க மனோபாவம் உடைய ஒருவர். அவர் ஒபாமாவுக்கு ஆலோசனை வழங்கப் பொருத்தமானவர். புதிய திறந்த பொருளாதார விடயத்தில் அவர் ஒரு புலி. எனவே, அவர்கள்தான் இந்தச் சூழ்நிலையைக் கையாண்டு வருகின்றார்கள். இது அவர்களுடைய நிகழ்ச்சித் திட்டம். இந்திய ஆளும் வர்க்கத்தின் பொம்மையே மகிந்த.
சாதாரண சிங்கள மக்களில் ஒரு பகுதியினர் தமிழர் போராட்டத்துக்கு ஆதரவு வழங்கி வந்த காலமொன்று இருந்தது. ஆனால், அது படிப்படியாகக் குறைந்து விட்டது. இந்நிலையில் கிட்டிய எதிர்காலத்தில் தமிழர் போராட்டத்துக்கு ஆதரவாகச் சிங்கள மக்களைத் திசை திருப்பி விட முடியும் என நினைக்கிறீர்களா?
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மக்கள் தலைவர்களையே பின்பற்றுகிறார்கள். மக்களால் தாமாகத் தீர்மானமெடுக்க முடியாது. 24 மணித்தியாலமும் தாங்கள் யுத்தத்தில் வெல்வதாகவும் அதற்கூடாகவே தமிழ் மக்களுடன் ஐக்கியத்தைப் பேண முடியும் எனவும் கூறும் போது சிங்கள மக்கள் அதனை நம்புகிறார்கள். மக்கள் சாதாரண வழிமுறைகளையே விரும்புகிறார்கள். சிக்கலானவற்றை அல்ல. இதன் அர்த்தம் மக்கள் இனவாதிகள் என்பதல்ல. அதனால்தான் நான் கொழும்பில் நடமாடக் கூடியதாக இருக்கிறது. நான் எங்கு சென்றாலும் மக்கள் என்னைக் கனம் பண்ணுகிறார்கள். மக்கள் இனவாதிகள் எனக் கூறப்படுவதில் எனக்கு நம்பிக்கையில்லை. உண்மையில் இலகுவான தீர்வுகள் உண்டென அவர்கள் நம்ப வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளார்கள். அவர்கள் தமிழ் மக்கள் மத்தியிலே வாழ்ந்து வரும் புலிகள் கூடாதவர்கள் என அவர்கள் நம்ப வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளார்கள்.
இத்தகைய தீய சக்திகளை அழித்து வருகின்றோம். அதற்கூடாக பிரச்சினை தீர்க்கப்பட முடியும் என்ற செயற்கையான படம் அவர்களுக்குத் தரப்பட்டுள்ளது. அவர்கள் மத்தியில் நிலவும் வறுமை மற்றும் ஏனைய பிரச்சினைகள் காரணமாக அவர்கள் இலகுவான தீர்வுகளில் நம்பிக்கை கொள்ள வேண்டிய நிலமை உள்ளது.
மகிந்த சகோதரர்களால் எவ்வளவு காலத்திற்கு இந்த நிலமையில் நீடிக்க முடியும்?
அவர்களுடைய அபின் வேலை செய்யும் மட்டும். அபினால் நீண்ட காலம் செயற்பட முடியாது அல்லவா? அபின் என்பது 2, 3 மணி நேரமே போதை தரக்கூடிய ஒரு போதைவஸ்து. அந்தப் போதை தெளியும் போது, மக்கள் உண்மையை உணர்ந்து கொள்வார்கள்.
அது மலையக மக்களுடன் ஆரம்பித்து விட்டது எனவே எண்ணுகிறேன். அவர்கள் தொண்டமானிடம் இருந்து விலகி வருகின்றார்கள். அண்மையில் நுவரெலியாவில் நடைபெற்ற தேர்தலில் அதனை அவதானிக்க முடிந்தது. தோட்டத் தொழிலாளர்கள் ஒரு சில நாட்களுக்கு தொடர்ச்சியாக வேலை நிறுத்தத்தில் ஈடுபடுவார்களானால் அரசால் பதவியில் நீடிக்க முடியாது. மற்றைய துறைகளோடு ஒப்பிடுகையில் தோட்டத் தொழிற்துறை மிகவும் பலமானது. எமது தரப்புக்கு வரக் கூடிய மக்களை சேர்த்துக்கொண்டு நாம் முன்னோக்கி நடை பயில வேண்டும். நான் நினைக்கின்றேன் விடுதலைப் புலிகள் கூடத் தாக்குப் பிடிப்பர். அவர்கள் இலகுவில் தோற்கடிக்கப்பட மாட்டார்கள். அவர்கள் மீண்டும் பதிலடி தருவர். அவர்களுடைய மன உறுதி ஆயுதங்களையும் விடப் பலமானது. தென்னிந்தியாவில் உருவாகியுள்ள சூழ்நிலை கூட கவனிக்கத்தக்கது. இத்தகைய பின்னணியில் அனைத்துலக சமூகக் கண்ணைத் திறக்குமானால் நல்ல பலன் கிடைக்கும்.
தமிழ்த் தேசிய விடுதலைப் போராட்டத்தின் தொடங்க கட்டங்களில் இந்திய இடதுசாரிக் கட்சிகள் விலகியே இருந்தன. ஆனால், அண்மைக் காலத்தில் அவர்கள் மிகவும் உள்வாங்கப்பட்டு இருக்கிறார்கள். இந்த மாற்றத்துக்கான காரணம் என்னவென நினைக்கின்றீர்கள்?
இது விடயத்தில் எங்களின் பங்களிப்பு முக்கியமானது. ஒரு வருடத்துக்கு முன்னர் நான்காவது அகிலத்தின் அனைத்துலகக் குழுவில் நாங்கள் ஒரு தீர்மானத்தை நிறைவேற்றினோம். இது ஒரு இனவாதப் பிரச்சினை அல்ல. இது ஒரு தேசியப் பிரச்சினை என்பதைப் புரியச் செய்தோம். இம்முறையும் இது தொடர்பில் ஒரு தீர்மானத்தை நிறைவேற்றியுள்ளோம்.
அது மட்டுமன்றி நான் ஜே.வி.பி. தொடர்பாக ஒரு நூலும் எழுதினேன். அதேவேளை, இந்திய கம்யூனிஸ்ட் கட்சிகள் (வலது மற்றும் இடது) ஜே.வி.பி. தொடர்பில் தவறான கருத்துக்களைக் கொண்டிருந்தன. அவர்கள் தமது மாநாடுகளுக்குக் கூட ஜே.வி.பி.யை அழைத்திருந்தனர். விடுதலைப் புலிகளை தொடர்பாக ஜே.வி.பி. கூறுபவை சரியென அவர்கள் நினைத்திருந்தனர்.
ஆனால், நாங்கள் அவர்களின் கண்களைத் திறந்தோம். ஜே.வி.பி.யின் கருத்துக்கள் இனவாத அடிப்படையிலானவை எனப் புரியச் செய்தோம். இது ஒரு குட்டிப் பூர்சுவா சிங்களத் தேசியக் கட்சி என்பதை விளக்கினோம். உலக மார்க்சியக் கண்ணோட்டம் வேறு விதமானது. அந்த அடிப்படையில் இந்திய இடதுசாரிகளுக்கும் விடயங்கள் புரியத் தொடங்கியது. இது தொடர்பில் நாங்கள் கலந்துரையாடல்களை நடத்தினோம்.
இந்த வருடமும் கூட நான் சென்னை சென்றிருந்தேன். அங்கு சி.பி.ஐ. மற்றும் சி.பி.ஐ.எம். ஆகிய கட்சிகளுடன் தொடர் கலந்துரையாடல்களை நடாத்தினேன். அவர்கள் தமது அணுகுமுறைகளை மாற்றிக் கொண்டார்கள். சி.பி.ஐ.-எம் சுயநிர்ணய உரிமையை ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளவில்லை. ஆனால், அவர்கள் சுயாட்சியை ஏற்றுக் கொண்டுள்ளார்கள். தமிழர்களுக்கு சுயாட்சி வழங்கப்பட வேண்டும் என்பதற்காக அவர்கள் போராடுகின்றார்கள். அதேவேளை, சி.பி.ஐ. தமிழ் மக்களின் விவகாரம் சுயநிர்ணய உரிமையுடன் சம்பந்தப்பட்டது. தமிழ்த் தேசியம் காப்பாற்றப்பட வேண்டும் என ஏற்றுக்கொண்டுள்ளது.
ஏனெனில் அவர்கள் மத்தியிலும் தேசியப் பிரச்சினை உள்ளது. தமிழ்நாட்டுத் தேசியம் உள்ளது. இந்தியாவினுடைய பார்ப்பனிய ஆசிய சிந்தனை புதிய உலகில் செல்லுபடியாகாது. ஆனால் ஒடுக்குமுறை ஆட்சியாளர்கள் அதனைப் பயன்படுத்துகிறார்கள். இது விடயத்தில் தா.பாண்டியன் அவர்கள் பாராட்டப்பட வேண்டியவர். பாண்டியனுக்கு இது விடயத்தில் போதிய அறிவு உள்ளது. அவர்களுடனான கலந்துரையாடலின்போது அவருக்குரிய தெளிவைக் கண்டு கொள்ள முடிந்தது. எனவே இந்தப் போராட்டம் - தென்னிந்தியப் போராட்டம் - மிகவும் முக்கியமானது. இது தொடர வேண்டும். மத்திய அரசு பொய் சொல்லுகிறது. முழுக்க முழுக்கப் பொய். அவர்கள் தமிழ் மக்களின் நலனில் அக்கறை கொண்டிருக்கவில்லை. அவர்களுக்கு வேறு கரிசனை உள்ளது.
விடுதலைப் புலிகள் தொடர்பாக உங்கள் அபிப்பிராயம் என்ன? அவர்கள் தமிழ் மக்களின் ஏகப் பிரதிநிதிகளா?
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நான் நினைக்கின்றேன். விடுதலைப் புலிகள் தமிழ் மக்களில் பெரும்பான்மையினரைப் பிரதிநிதித்துவம் செய்கிறார்கள். அவர்களே போராட்டத்தில் ஈடுபட்டு வருகிறார்கள். எனினும், அவர்களின் பூர்சுவா குணாம்சத்தை ஏற்றுக் கொள்ளவில்லை. உலக முதலாளித்துவம் தமிழர்களுக்கு உதவி செய்யும் என நான் நினைக்கவில்லை. அமெரிக்க தாராளவாதம் அவர்களுக்கு உதவும் என நான் நினைக்கவில்லை. இந்தியா உதவும் என நான் நினைக்கவில்லை. தொழிலாளர்களும் சோசலிசமுமே இறுதியில் உதவப் போகின்றது.
புலிகளின் போராட்டம் வளைந்து கொடுக்காத போராட்டம். அவர்களின் எவருக்கும் தலை வணங்காத குணாம்சத்தை நான் மதிக்கிறேன். அவர்கள் தமது போராட்டத்தை உறுதியுடன் தொடர்கிறார்கள். தமிழர்களுக்காகக் குரல் தருவது இலகுவானது. ஆனால் அவர்களுக்காகப் போராடுவது கடினமானது. அந்த வகையில் விடுதலைப் புலிகளைப் பாராட்டுகிறேன். அதேவேளை, அவர்களுடைய முதலாளித்துவ சிந்தனைக்கு நான் எதிரானவன். குடிமக்கள் மீதான வன்முறைக்கு நான் எதிரானவன். இதற்கெதிரான அனைத்துலக அபிப்பிராயம் உள்ள போதிலும் ஆயுத ரீதியில் போராடுவதற்கு அவர்களுக்கு உள்ள உரிமையை மறுக்க முடியாது. ஆயுதப் போராட்டம் என்பது குற்றமல்ல. ஆயுதப் போராட்டம் என்பது பயங்கரவாதமல்ல. தம்மைக் காத்துக் கொள்வதற்கு எந்தவொரு சமூகத்திற்கும் உரிமையுள்ளது.
அதேவேளை, பயங்கரவாதம் என ஐ.நா. சபையாலும் ஏனைய மனித உரிமைகள் அமைப்புக்களாலும் வரையறுக்கப் பட்டுள்ள விடயங்களை அவர்கள் தவிர்த்துக் கொள்ள வேண்டும். விடுதலைப் புலிகள் தொடர்ந்து போராடி வரும் நிலையில் தற்போது உழைக்கும் வர்க்கத்துடன் தொடர்புகளை ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளார்கள். அவர்கள் உழைக்கும் வர்க்கத்துடனும் கம்யூனிஸ் கட்சியுடன் தொடர்பாடலுக்குத் தயாராக இருக்கின்றார்கள். எங்களுடனும் பேசத் தயாராக உள்ளனர். அவர்கள் என்னுடைய கட்டுரைகளையும் விமர்சனங்களையும் பிரசுரிக்கின்றார்கள். அதுமட்டுமன்றி அவர்கள் மக்களின் நலனிலும் அக்கறை கொண்டுள்ளார்கள். அவர்கள் மக்கள் ஆதரவை பெருமளவில் கொண்டுள்ளார்கள். 50, 60 ஆயிரம் தலையாட்டிகளை ஒரு நிகழ்வுக்கு அழைத்துவர முடியாது. ஆயிரம் இரண்டாயிரம் பேரை வேண்டுமானால் அழைத்து வர முடியும். ஆனால் 50, 60 ஆயிரம் பேரை அழைத்து வர முடியாது. அதனை - புலிகளின் சக்தியை - நாம் ஏற்றுக்கொண்டேயாக வேண்டும். அங்கேதான் புலிகளின் பலம் உள்ளது. தற்போது அவர்கள் உழைக்கும் மக்களுடனும் தொடர்புகளை ஏற்படுத்தி வருகின்றார்கள். இது வரவேற்கத்தக்கது.
உண்மையில் பா.நடேசன் எங்கள் கட்சியின் முன்னை நாள் உறுப்பினர். அவர் 10 வருடம் எமது கட்சியில் இருந்தார். அவர் ஒரு அரசியல் தலைமைத்துவத்தில் இருப்பது மகிழ்வைத் தருகின்றது. அவரிடம் அரசியல் அறிவு உள்ளது. நீங்கள் எங்கு இருந்தாலும் உங்களிடம் இருக்கும் அரசியல் அறிவு பயன் தரவல்லது. அந்த வகையில் நடேசனால் சிறந்த பாத்திரத்தை வகிக்க முடியும். அடுத்தவர் பரா, அவர் ஈரோசில் இருந்தவர். ஈரோஸ் ஒரு அரசியல் இயக்கம். அவருக்கும் குறிப்பிட்ட அரசியல் பயிற்சி இருக்கும்.
அவர்கள் போராட்டத்தை மக்கள் மயப்படுத்த முயற்சிக்க வேண்டும். மக்கள் மயப்படுத்தப்பட்டவர்களாக அவர்கள் விளங்க வேண்டும். உழைக்கும் மக்களின் குறைகளைக் கேட்க வேண்டும். அவ்வாறு இருந்தால் வெற்றி நிச்சயம்.
தமிழர் பிரச்சினைக்குத் தீர்வாக எதனை முன்வைக்க நினைக்கின்றீர்கள்?
சுயநிர்ணய உரிமையை உறுதிப்படுத்திய வண்ணம் தமிழர்களும் சிங்களவர்களும் இணைந்து வாழ முடியும் என நான் நம்புகின்றேன். அது தன்னிச்சையானதாக இருக்க வேண்டும். பலவந்தமானதாக இருக்கக் கூடாது.
சுயாட்சி வழங்கப்பட்டு, காவல்துறை அதிகாரம் தரப்பட்டு அந்த அடிப்படையில் நாம் இணைந்து வாழ முடியும். இதுவே என் அபிப்பிராயம். அதேவேளை தனிநாடு அமைப்பதற்கு அவர்களுக்கு உரிமை உண்டு. அதுவே தமிழ் மக்களின் விருப்பமாக இருந்தால், அதற்கு நாங்கள் ஆதரவு தந்தேயாக வேண்டும்.
ஆனால், அதுவே ஒரேயொரு தீர்வாக இருக்குமானால் நான் கவலைப்படுவேன். இன்னமும் கூட கஸ்டப்படும் சிங்கள-தமிழ் உழைக்கும் மக்கள் ஐக்கியப்படுவதற்கான வாய்ப்பு இருப்பதாகவே நான் நம்புகிறேன். ஒரு சில சுரண்டல்வாதிகள் மாத்திரமே இந்த ஐக்கியத்துக்கு எதிரானவர்கள். அவர்களை முறியடித்து கௌரவத்துடன் கூடிய தன்னிச்சையான ஐக்கியத்தை எட்ட முயற்சிக்க வேண்டும். அதுவே எனது தீர்வு.
நீங்கள் கூறியதன் பிரகாரம் இந்தியா போரில் ஈடுபட்டு வருகின்றது. அதேவேளை சில வெளிநாடுகள் யுத்தத்துக்கு முடிவுகாண விரும்புகின்றன. எனினும் இந்தியா அதற்குத் தடையாக இருப்பதாக அவை கருதுகின்றன. இத்தகைய நிலையில் இந்தியாவைப் புறந்தள்ளி மேற்குலக நாடுகள் யுத்தத்தை நிறுத்த முடியும் எனக் கருதுகின்றீர்களா?
சாத்தியம். அதனாலேயே நாங்கள் நான்காம் அகிலத்தில் இத்தகைய தீர்மானம் ஒன்றை நிறைவேற்றினோம். இதில் கலந்து கொண்டவர்கள் தத்தம் நாடுகளுக்குச் சென்று அங்குள்ள ஆளும் வர்க்கத்துக்கு அழுத்தம் தர வேண்டும். அவர்களின் கண்களைத் திறக்கச் செய்ய வேண்டும். இந்தியா உட்பட.
இந்தியா மனிதாபிமானத்துக்கு எதிரான குற்றத்தைப் புரிந்து வருகின்றது. இந்த வேளையில் உலக சமூகம் அதற்கு எதிராகக் கிளர்ந்தெழ வேண்டும். இந்திய மக்கள் குறிப்பாகத் தென் இந்திய மக்கள் கிளர்ந்தெழுந்து ஆளும் வர்க்கத்துக்கு அழுத்தம் தர வேண்டும். அதற்கூடாக இந்தக் குற்றச் செயலில் இந்தியா ஈடுபடுவதைத் தடுக்க வேண்டும்.
வன்னியில் நடைபெறும் கொலைகளைத் தடுத்து நிறுத்துவதற்கான பல்வேறு முயற்சிகளில் புலம்பெயர் தமிழர்கள் ஈடுபட்டு வருகின்றார்கள். அவர்களுக்கு நீங்கள் எத்தகைய ஆலோசனையை வழங்க விரும்புகின்றீர்கள்?
இது ஒரு நல்ல கேள்வி. அவர்கள் மேற்கொண்டு வருகின்ற நடவடிக்கைகள் பெறுமதியானவை. ஆனால், அவர்கள் உழைக்கும் வர்க்கத்துடன் தொடர்புகளை ஏற்படுத்த வேண்டும். ஒவ்வொரு நாட்டிலும் உள்ள தொழிற்சங்க இயக்கத்துடன் அவர்கள் ஐக்கியத்தை ஏற்படுத்திக் கொள்ள வேண்டும். உழைக்கும் மக்களுடன் பிணைப்பை உருவாக்கிக் கொள்ள வேண்டும். முற்போக்கு புத்திஜீவிகளை அணுக வேண்டும். அவர்களின் உதவியைப் பெற வேண்டும். அமெரிக்காவில் நொம் சொஸ்கி போன்று பெல்ஜியத்திலே எரிக் ருசான்ட் போன்று பல புத்திசாலிகள் இருக்கிறார்கள். பலமான தொழிற்சங்கங்கள் உள்ளன. அவர்களின் ஆதரவைப் பெற வேண்டும்.
அது இலகுவானதல்ல முதற்தடவையில் அவர்கள் எமக்குச் செவி சாய்க்க மாட்டார்கள். மீண்டும் மீண்டும் சென்று வரலாற்றை விளங்கப்படுத்துங்கள். தொடர்பை ஏற்படுத்துங்கள். விளக்கங்களை வழங்குங்கள்.
பாலஸ்தீன இயக்கத்தை, வியட்நாமிய இயக்கத்தை உதாரணமாகக் கொள்ள வேண்டும். அவர்களை அதனையே செய்தார்கள். ஒருமைப்பாட்டு இயக்கங்களை அமெரிக்கா, பிரான்ஸ் ஆகிய நாடுகளில் அமைத்தார்கள். ஆயிரக்கணக்கான தொழிற் சங்கங்கள் அவர்களுக்கு ஆதரவாக வந்தன. அங்கேதான் சக்தி உள்ளது. எனவே அத்தகையோரை அணுகுவது அவசியம்.
மேல் மாகாண சபைத் தேர்தலில் நீங்கள் போட்டியிட இருக்கின்றீர்கள். எனவே எமது பத்திரிகையின் ஊடாக கொழும்பு வாழ் தமிழ் மக்களுக்கு நீங்கள் கூற விரும்புகின்ற செய்தி என்ன?
நான் மேல் மாகாணசபைத் தேர்தலில் போட்டியிடுகின்றேன். நான் முன்னர் மேல் மாகாண சபை உறுப்பினராக இருந்தேன். அப்போது என்னால் தமிழ் மக்களுக்கு அதிகமாகச் செய்ய முடிந்தது. இன்றைய நிலையில் எனது தோல்வி தமிழ் மக்களின் தோல்வியாகவே அமையும். எனவே நான் தெரிவு செய்யப்படுவதை தமிழ் மக்கள் உறுதிப்படுத்த வேண்டும். ஏனெனில் எனது குரல் ஓங்கி ஒலிக்கும். எனது குரலுக்கு மேலும் சக்தி கிடைக்கும்.
நான் தோற்றுவிட்டால் மூவாயிரம் நான்காயிரம் வாக்குகளைப் பெற்றுத் தோல்வியடையும் இவரின் கருத்துக்கள் பயனற்றவை. இவருக்கு தமிழ் மக்களே ஆதரவு தரவில்லை. இவரை எவருமே தமிழ் மக்கள் கூட மதிப்பில்லை எனப் பரிகசிப்பார்கள். எனவே, இதனை நீங்கள் கேட்பதற்கு விரும்பவில்லை என்றால் என்னை வெல்லச் செய்ய வேண்டும். எனக்கு கிடைக்கும் பலம் உங்கள் விடுதலைக்கே உதவும். உங்களுடைய போராட்டத்துக்கு உங்கள் கௌரவத்துக்கு உதவும்.
இதுவே என்னுடைய செய்தி. இது உங்கள் கடமை. நான் என்னுடைய கடமையைச் செய்கின்றேன். நான் 1974-ல் இருந்து தமிழ் மக்களின் விடுதலைக்காகச் சளைக்காது போராடி வருகின்றேன். எனக்கு எந்தவொரு பலமும் இருக்கவில்லை. நான் தொடக்கத்தில் எந்தவித ஆதரவையும் கொண்டிருக்கவில்லை. நான் எங்கு சென்றாலும் நான் கூறுகின்ற விடயத்துக்காக உறுதியுடன் செயற்படுகின்றேன். நான் பலமுள்ளவனாக இருந்தால் உங்களுடைய போராட்டமே வெற்றி பெறும் என்றார் விக்கிரமபாகு கருணாரட்ன.
courtesy:adhikaalai.com
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