Comments on: Tamil lobby: Do Tamils lobby?

By: ilaya seran senguttuvan

ilaya seran senguttuvan — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 02:38:35 +0000

I visit this blog after several weeks.

The fact many Tamils in the Diaspora (I contest the word) think of other Lankan Tamils and the dream of getting together in our own sacred soil – after 30 years of great suffering and tribulation – itself is a “valuable resource” that should be built upon. I have travelled many parts of the world and take more than an ordinary interest in studying the feelings and attitudes of scattered societies – armenians, lithuanians, Kurds, Palestinians and Arabs, Jews, Chinese et al. With few exceptions – the aspirations of most of them are confined to their economic well being and material future. Many of them have little compunction being submerged into the immediate culture around them in which the live and thus losing their identity. But not the Tamil. To him his culture, religion, the link to his original soil, his places of worship and rituals comes before economic
well being. This includes the Christians amongst us too.

Their food at home, naming of their children, insistence to teach Tamil to the new generations, keeping the younger ones
educated of our culture and history are of paramount importance. This wonderful tradition should be maintained.
We must all be proud of our roots, our heritage and pass these on to the coming generations. The Tamils of Chettinad – beginning from the early 19th century – wherever they went Burma, Malaysia/Singapore, Vietnam, South Africa, Mauritius, Ceylon – and – no matter how successful they were to become – always helped build a temple in their new found homes around which they continued their precious cultural traditions. I am glad Lankan Tamils have done the same thing in the UK, Australia,North America and in other places. This is yet another inherent feature of an ancient people and race. May this continue. Let us all be part of this great endeavour that offers neither challenge nor threat to any other.

By: Irumporai

Irumporai — Mon, 26 May 2008 08:22:15 +0000

Lobbying for LTTE or Lobbying for Tamils? Both are distingly different

By: vel

vel — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:40:26 +0000

Thank you very much for your brave suggestion that lobbying the IC should be entrusted to the intellectuals in the community who are not in any way directly connected with the ongoing problems in Sri Lanka.This would work only if the so called IC is guided by principles of good governance.The IC too is highly polarised and they too are inflenced by the regional powers.They fear to express their frank opinion on any issues that are not connected to them even remotely.The UN is unable to intervene on any issues as the IC is divided and highly polarised.Now take for instance when the UN iis concerned about the human rights violations in Sri Lanka, supported by the Western Nations the Lankan Government look the otherway for support from Pakistan Iran And China. President Rajapakse is exploiting the weaknesses of these Powerful Nations and carry on regardless.Our president playing his cards skilfully keeping the IC on board.

By: Reggie

Reggie — Sat, 10 May 2008 15:55:25 +0000

All Tamil thinkers are clipped of one by one, how many articulate, leanred and moderate Tamils have been killed

By: selva

selva — Thu, 08 May 2008 22:00:00 +0000

Mr. Arvalan.

Sorry I have written a sentance which gives opposite meaning and it should be written ‘The Tamils should be punished in the way the Government do’.

By: Selva

Selva — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:40:55 +0000

Mr. Arvalan,

Whenever the International decision makers are getting ready to listen and press or take action against the Sri Lanka government LTTE keep a bomb and kill ordinary minister,athletes,bus passengers etc, etc…and then the IC decision makers will talk among themself ‘ Should these Tamils be punished in the way the government do” and forget about everything. The mistake is not on the Tamil diaspora but only on Pirabaharan. Knowingly or not knowingly from the begining of the freedom fighting what ever he does helps the Sinhalese only. Most probably he would heve been a Sinhalese in his previous birth.

By: Sudalaimaadan.

Sudalaimaadan. — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:53:20 +0000

Mr.Murugan
Thank you for your comments.I am a virulant critic of the Jaffna Thamils as well as their admirer,that is my speciality.I can speak Jaffna Thamil as well as Our native Thamil without overlapping.I am a different person
no doubt.
But as mentioned by Mr.Sothinathan Thamils are a fiercly individualistic community.Escpecially the Jaffna Thamils.
This point is very important because it is the Jaffna Thamil diaspora who are virtually taking the lead.
What I feel is there should be a revolution in their thinking and behaviour.
They always look down at the Upcountry Thamils as
Thottakkaatans.I would like to point out no man in this world has the facility of choosing the community or ethnicity in which he should be born,nor he can choose the colour of his skin or his parents.
“Naangal yaarum kettu pirapadillai”
like the importance given to lobbying I am of the firm opinion the thinking of the Jaffna Thamils,I am mentioning about the present generation should change once for all.
I think it is possible ,because the present day Jaffna Thamils younger generation are growing up in a pluralistic enviorenment.They have to change.
But the most worrying part is there are considerable older generation who do not want to change.
The entire “Thalayeluththu” of the Srilankan Thamils depends on the L.T.T.E. and the Thamil Diaspora.
If we can create a common Thamil culture for the entire Srilankan Thamils…Be it the Jaffna Thamils upper middle class,the Pungudutheevans,then the Vadamaaratchy,The Maddakalappaan,the Thottakkaataans…..One andonly tradition and custom.
Am I dreaming too much?
If we can remodell the Thamil language so that there will be only one Thamil spoken and written…then again am I dreaming too much?
There was another gentlemen who spoke about a Thamil Singapore.With the Jaffna Brains it is defenitely possible.They hava the brains and resourses.No doubt.
But as I said earlier they have to revolution their thinking should come forward to accodomodate the aspirations of the not so fortunate Eastern Thamils,Plantation Thamils without exploiting them.
When Brains and Brawals meet together anything is possible.
I think the Present day Vanni thamil population is taking a lead in this direction.Mixed marriages among the Plantation Thamil ‘Kudiyetra vaasigal” and the natives are rather common.
I am eagerly waiting from those learned men from Jaffna to send in their view regarding “commonalisation”of the Srilankan Thamil
culture.
.

By: kurikaatuwan

kurikaatuwan — Wed, 07 May 2008 06:21:25 +0000

Most of the so called eelamists have never been to Vanni or at best gone on a sightseeing tour with LTTE during CFA.

Come to vanni now, and see what tortures your beloved “annai” is doing to your people with your money !

By: Vanni Man

Vanni Man — Wed, 07 May 2008 02:44:29 +0000

kurikaatuwan, ur funny man…moreover ur postings denoted u as an insane…huh..
Keep up ur hilarious postings…LOL…

By: sahasamvada

sahasamvada — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:44:35 +0000

The article has put forward some interesting points and mostly it has highlighted the importance of the involvement of the Sri Lankan Diaspora especially the Tamils in influencing a progressive and positive change in hastening a solution to the ethnic conflict. Also, reading the many comments that have been presented the clear division in the thinking in terms of the ‘representation’ of the Tamil community is absolutely clear. But the real importance must be placed in respecting the views of people like Karikkattuwan who relate the ground realities and its serious ramifications on the political situation. The Tamil Diaspora has to stop its support to the LTTE be it through fund raising or propaganda.