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From:
Thedum Manithan, Tamil Eelam, 25 April
2008
In your editorial comment on Peace
and 'Getting to Yes' you make an excruciatingly truthful observation
which has some how by passed the major intelligentsia.
"To label a conflict
resolution as a 'peace process' may well cloud our thinking."
Well said!
Norway has come under the cloud of the unknowing, in terms of bringing peace in
its various forms to the hot spots of the world. No where in the world
however, have these Nordic nerds managed to bring peace, let alone
meaningful conflict resolution.
I conclude by
another quote for the benefit of the little man who is seeking
honourable peace:
"At the outset, we may need to be mindful that to label a conflict
resolution process as a 'peace process' may cloud our thinking. A 'peace
process' suggests that somehow everything will be solved when 'peace' is
secured. We all love peace. But peace comes in many different forms. We have
the peace of the graveyard as well. If it was simply peace that the Tamil
people wanted they may have been well advised to willingly submit to alien
Sinhala rule - many years ago."
During the rounds of talks between Sri Lanka and Eelam, I was deeply
troubled to watch even the well-advised Tamils forego the primacy of reason
and to put all their trust on Norway - even to believe that Norway would
manage to secure peace and even the separate state of Eelam. Very sorry
state of political perceptions.
The process of peace, Prof Noam Chomsky seem to think, is designed to be
duplicitous, and its objective is to serve the
grand plan of the
international players. Kosovo got its independence. You among others, quite
rightly, were cautious in your comments. It was indeed a
SUPERVISED independence. Many were
of the mind that that could create a domino effect and eventually it would act as
a catalyst and Eelam would be "given" its independence. The problem is we
are yet to overcome our slavery mentality. We still believe that some one
else is going to "give" us what we need. Bull shit!
We must fight for it, struggle for it - hell or high water. We must get the
'hell out of our mess'. We must do it! Faith is not just clinging on to some
thing. It is about daring to beat the odds. Mikka Nandri.
Response by
tamilnation.org '..If someone asks me when and how the struggle may end, I may say that,
if the entire community manfully stands the test, the end will be near.
If many of us fall back under storm and stress, the struggle will be
prolonged. But I can boldly declare, and with certainty, that so long as
there is even a handful of men true to their pledge, there
can only be one end to the struggle, and that is victory...'
Mahatma Gandhi's Pledge of
Resistance in Transvaal, Africa, 1906
From: Louise Coyle, International Affairs
Office, National University of Ireland, Galway 25 April 2008
The National University of Ireland, Galway is currently accepting
applications for the International Scholarship Programme. The Programme is
aimed at developing the capacity of outstanding individuals who can assume
leadership roles in their fields of study and whose work will enhance the
development of their own society.
The Scholarship provides recipients with €15,000 for living expenses and in
addition covers the cost of tuition fees. This programme is open to
applicants from Ethiopia, South Africa and Sri Lanka. Applications should be
received before 9th May 2008.
The International Affairs Office is currently accepting applications.
Further information regarding the NUI Galway International Scholarship
Programme including the scholarship guidelines, application form, minimum
entry requirements and list of approved courses can be downloaded at
http://www.nuigalway.ie/international/fees/scholarships.html .
I look forward to your co-operation in promoting this programme to suitable
applicants. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.
Queries can be addressed to
international@nuigalway.ie Best wishes
From: Stephanie Rocke,
National Thesis Register Manager, Musicological Society of Australia, 23
April 2008
 Not a big deal, but I just thought you may like to be aware that you've
listed Toge
Sankichi's birth year as 1921 - its actually 1917 (see
Richard H. Minear,
"Translator's Introduction [to Poems of the Atomic Bomb by Tôge Sankichi],"
in
Hiroshima: Three Witnesses, ed. and trans. Richard H.Minear (Princeton:
Princeton University Press, 1990), 277 and
Robert Jay Lifton,
Death in Life;
Survivors of Hiroshima (New York: Random House, 1967), 441. I've been
researching him as part of my analysis of Karl Jenkins' "
The Armed Man: A
Mass for Peace" which sets a portion of Toge's poem "Flames". Best Wishes.
Response by
tamilnation.org
Many thanks. We have made the necessary corrections in our
Hiroshima & Nagasaki page.
From: Chandi
Sinnathurai, Tamil Eelam, 18 April 2008
 I
found Sachi Sri Kantha's
short recollection on the late Arthur C Clarke most interesting. The
scanned snail-mail letter from Clarke, composed on a good old typewriter
shows how things have changed. Sadly things are yet to change in Sri Lanka
when it comes to the politicoes and politics. How true it is that in this
day and age 'regular' postal letters from friends and loved ones are so very
rare. We have to live now with 'wretched' text messages ("txt language") and
e-mails. However, the swiftness of e-mail communication is a thing not to be
despised. But the art form of splendid letter writing, with the fountain pen
(not with the ball-point!) has gone with the wind.
From: Mohammed Ghazi, Musyab, Iraq-Babylon 10 April
2008
I am from Iraq. I am Ph.D student. My thesis relates to
Iraqi Armed Conflicts and
Humanitarian International Law. My research focus is on the
armed conflicts in Iraq after 9 April 2003. I hope I can get
your help to get sources related to this subject. With Best Regards
Response by
tamilnation.org
Regretfully, our remit does not extend to providing the type of
assistance that you seek.
From: Stewart Sloan, Hong Kong, [sloanbooks@gmail.com
], 8 April 2008
I am Scottish, living in Hong Kong and have worked for an human rights
NGO for the past 4 years. I have been appalled at what I have read about the
treatment of the Tamils in Sri Lanka and would like to become more deeply
involved. I am aware that you have no reason to trust me but would be
grateful if you would add me to your mailing list. I will gladly provide any
information about myself that you might require.
http://sloanbooks.blogspot.com
Response by
tamilnation.org
Many thanks for your interest. But we regret that we do
not operate a mailing list.
From: Sundar Rajan, Chennai, 7 April 2008
Inspired
Hello Tamilnation..
tamizhan
illidha nadu illai
tamizhannukku endur oru nadu illai
Very catchy phrase... I went through your site - it is good... keep it up.
From: Parasakthy Sundharalingam, Australia,
8 March 2008
 Vanakkam.
It was a pleasure to see Malaravan's
writing in print though the contents
brought tears as well as pride about our
heroes' sacrifices.
Though only nineteen years of age when
he wrote his memoirs he had achieved
true greatness. His diary will live in
history like the
diary of Anne Frank and
Che Guevera's Motorcycle
Diaries.
Three years ago Mr. Yogaraja, a writer
had mentioned about Malaravan in his
essay about Maaveerars' writings in the
40th anniversary malar of 'Mallikai'' - a
literary magazine from Ilangkai. The
writer had analysed the writings of Malaimakal and
Ambuli and mentioned
about Malaravan's novel found among his
belongings after his heroic death.
Your publication is timely,
the translation is good - sounds like
original.
The Tamil diaspora youth are sure to welcome
this hero's story of dedication and
sacrifice.
Response by
tamilnation.org
We agree. Malaravan's
writing touches our hearts because
it was written from the heart. The
translation by N.Malathy retains the
authenticity of the Tamil original and
she is right to point out that "The book reveals a lot that has so far not been revealed
in reports. The book speaks for itself about the conflict and will hopefully
create an interest to learn more."
From: Soma Skanda, 7 March 2008
Sir, I would like to draw your attention towards links of two articles on
the Aryan-Dravidian Question that appears on
this page of your website. The two articles are one written by
Mr.David Frawley and the other written by
Mr.Rajaram.
I'm basically a student. I stumbled upon the said pages while trying to
learn more on the Aryan-Dravidian question and further down the line, I
happened to read a cover story in FRONTLINE on this aspect, and that too
specifically is a critique about the work of the above said two authors in
that area. So I thought it would be apt to draw your attention to it, so
readers from now on will have another perspective on the issue in question.
Links to the Frontline Cover Story :
The
Indus Valley Decipherment Hoax - Michael Witzel and Steve Farmer, 13 October
2000;
The
direction of Harappan writing - Michael Witzel and Steve Farmer, 13 October
2000 and
Hindutva and history - Romila Thapar, 13 October 2000
Another article about the Indus Script -
Towards a scientific study of the Indus Script - Iravatham Mahadevan 4
February 2007
Thanks & Regards.
Response by
tamilnation.org
Many thanks for your interest. We have included the links in
our Tamil Heritage page.
From: Dr. Dunton Phillips, Vancouver,
Canada, 4 March 2007
Dear Editor: I have gone through your Website and I find that your
website is a veritable Encylopaedia of Tamil History and News about your
Very Ancient Tamil People. You and your helpers are doing a very useful
work. I wish that the Sinhala leaders and their people may open their eyes
and recognize your desire to be INDEPENDENT AND A SOVEREIGN NATION. It is
not easy to become an independent Nation - I wish that all the Tamils get
UNITED - there are plenty of Tamil Mercenaries working with Sinhala people -
they are self-destructive and they live to fill their stomachs with the
money they get from Sinhala government. I wish you all success in your work.
You have the best website - call it - Tamil Encyclopaedia
From: Angel Sanna, 2 March 2008
Re Tamil literaure
on the web, I can't believe you guys have done such a wonderful work.
You know what - I and my brother wanted to make those books as
e-copies as we lost much during the war. We even planned to earn some money,
go to India, buy the publications without knowing that you guys had done a WONDERFUL job long time back.
Btw, I am doing mechatronic engineering year 2 now and my thambi just
entered university.
I was bored yesterday and was just browsing the net and I found your
website. I was so excited... You wont believe I was jumping, jumping,
jumping and at one stage I thought I am going to die from excitement. What a
wonderful job. I tried to copy and rename the pdf files but its taking time
as the internet is very bad here.
My grand parents and the closest uncles parents (our grand parents too) were
so good in Tamil. So, they read periya puranam,
serap puranam,
thevaram etc
for us as we don't know the meanings (Porul) for those verses. Dad and uncle
used to read all sort of books from comics to big literature. They
introduced us to the Moscow publication's books, Palaniappa brothers
publication's books, Manimegalai publication's books, Vanathi publication's
books etc. We had a huge room with lots and lots of books which our grand
parents and parents had read. We are the new generation and we used to read
lot like 6 hrs a day. Parents didnt stop us as our average was 90+ in
school. I came abroad to study and didnt bring any books.
I have missed the books these two years and really felt like I am a
living corpse. Grand parents are not here to explain any more. So, now when I
went thru it I found difficulties to understand those old puranams. Can you
do a favour. You guys have done lot. Yet, when we become old we wont be good
enough to explain to our new generation the verses. So, if you write the
porul also it will be really helpful. I cant wait to go back home and beg
our Tamil professors to do this work.
I studied in Jaffna btw. We had Tamil literature as 40% of the Tamil O/L
paper. There we had some parts on serapuranam,
nalavenpa,
manimegalai
kapiyam, manu neethi, cholan varalaru & etc. It was so hard for others but
was easy for us coz of our grand parents. One grand pa was a Tamil pulavar.
We also had Saiva Samayam subject where we studied about those nayanmars and
thevarams. I am so glad to read them now. I dont know if there is a error in
Sambanthan's thevaram. Will send you what is that when I receive a reply coz
I am just wondering if you will get this mail.
Do you have all those pdf files in CD? We can't carry all the books and run
to place to place. At least I can carry the CDs when we are running from
place to place during the war.
I don't know how to acknowledge you guys. Are you in Madurai? If so, I
can ask my lecturer - a well wisher from Madurai to find out how can I help
you guys. He was asking me "Tell child what you want from India" all the
time. I am going to make him do something for you guys. I also can help if I can do something
on the computer with whatever knowledge I have. I was searching for Tamil
books online for almost 3 yrs. I really don't know how I missed your
website. I wish I found it earlier. I sent the link to all my cousins,
uncles, friends even in a cookery website. They all excited over it too.
I am sorry I can sit and write the whole day like this but I should not. I
am overjoyed as I missed those books for ages.
Ok fine, pls let me know what I can do for you guys. Siru thuli peru vellam right. HATS
OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Neengal Anaivarum Needudi Valla Tamil Annai Thunai
Purivaraga (May Tamil Annai Give Long Life For You Guys)
About the other parts of your website. You guys have a wonderful
collection on Baratha Natyam. I did
Baratha Natyam for 16 - 17 yrs. My first guru was Chitra Visveswaran & then
1.5 yrs Adayar Lakmanan sir. Then we went to Sri Lanka and followed
from other teachers there. The dance articles are justified well and the
page looks good. Can you focus a bit on "Justify" so the site will look
better.. Thanks....
Response by
tamilnation.org We
must confess that we were somewhat overwhelmed by your
comments. We thank you for sharing your excitement with us. My God Bless.
Project Madurai itself is
the work of a group of enthusiastic volunteers living in many parts of the
globe and is led by Dr.K.Kalyansundram from Switzerland and
Dr. Kumar Mallikarjunan from
USA.
 If
you would like to participate in the project in any way you may want to join
the
Project Madurai Yahoo Group
or email Dr.Kalyanasundaram at <pmadurai AT gmail DOT
com>. To mark the 10th Anniversary of the start of Project Madurai, a
commemoration CD
was made available for free distribution in February this year. The CD contains
all Tamil electronic texts released by Project
Madurai up to December 2007. The e-texts are made available in all three
formats - TSCII, Unicode and PDF. If you let us have your
postal address, we will be happy to send you a copy free of charge.
From:
A Visitor from Australia, 27 February 2008
Vanakkam. Today's analysis in
tamilnation.org should open the eyes of any
one who cares about the suffering of fellow humans. The great educationist
John Dewey while defining democracy said "democracy is concern for others".
What an apt defnition!
The thoughts of the LTTE leader as early as 1993 should explain to those
who speak of facism, the legitimate claims of a people who
seek to live
with honour and dignity in their own homeland.
The closing para with Mahatma Gandhi's words is much needed advice at
this crucial stage of our freedom struggle.
May your service to a beleaguered people continue. Nandri.
From: Tony Berrios, Puerto Rico, 27 February
2008
I would like to congratulate you on a fine site that shows that there
are still
non-independent nations in the world. The last two years have
produced two more Montenegro and Kosovo. My nation, Puerto Rico, is
also a nation without an independent state. We are situated in the
Caribbean Sea just east of sister nation the Dominican Republic.
We
share a culture which is very similar to Cuba, Dominican Republic and
Venezuela, however, due to some quirk in history we find ourselves
politically a colony of the United States. Our national language is
Spanish (not English). We are not the only US colonies, The US Virgin
Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northen Mariana Islands also
share our fate. Please include Puerto Rico as one of the nations in
your list. For 110 years we have been a colony of the US. We are a
mixture of Spaniard, native indigenous Taino, and West African but 100%
Puerto Rican.
Response by
tamilnation.org
Many thanks for your
comments. We have now included Puerto Rico in
our list of fourth
world nations.
From:
A.Sivakumar, Korea
24 February 2008
www.tamilnation.org is
an appreciable effort to make an useful
and informative site on Tamil literature. I myself am recently
developing my interest in Tamil literature and finding such information
easily available in net is very useful. Let me first thank you and your
team. While going through the site I thought that some corrections
are required to be done. Excuse me if I am wrong anywhere as I consider
my Tamil knowledge is limited. In the
Avaiyar and her books section
I feel it will be better if the following corrections are done.
As in the site
www.tamilnation.org
1. அறம் செய விரும்பு
4. ஈவது விலக்கேல்
7. எண் எழுத்து இகழேல்
9. ஐயமிட்டுண்
11. ஓதுவது ஒழியேல்
As written by avaiyar...
1. அறஞ்செய விரும்பு
4. ஈவது விலகேல்
7. எண்ணெழுத் திகழேல்
9. ஐய மிட்டுண்
11. ஓதுவ தொழியேல்
My general feeling is that Tamil literature should be
reproduced as written by the author and we should not make any
modifications or simplifications to it. In many cases the "punarchi
vidhi" - rule for combining the words is violated. Its not "aram seiya
virumbu", its "arancheya virumbu" and not "En Ezhuthu igazhel" its "Ennezhuth
thigazhel". Please try to change these in the website as these are
records and let us record only as written by the author without any
modification by us. Please, let us not simplify things, thinking that we
are making things easier for public. That way we are not going forward
but rather taking people in a wrong direction. Thanks and Regards
Response by
tamilnation.org
Many thanks for interest.
You are right to point out the two countervailing views on the
"punarchi vidhi" rule - one impelled by the need to make
it easier for today's Tamil Diaspora to read the Tamil classics and the
other to ensure that the classics are always written in their pristine
purity - even on the internet. As you will know,
Project Madurai itself is
the work of a group of enthusiastic volunteers living in many parts of the
globe and is led by Dr.K.Kalyansundram from Switzerland and
Dr. Kumar Mallikarjunan from
USA. If
you would like to participate in the project in any way you may want to join
the
Project Madurai Yahoo Group.
From: Parasakthy Sundharalingam, Australia, 15
February 2008
Vanakkam. Thank you for the timely action on the
Australian Prime Minister's
speech - and your apt comment. As always tamilnation's comments are
different. Thank you for publishing the article in Tamil.
As you have said inate human goodness always excels - like how people of
all ages and creed rallied round when the tsunami struck. Will the
followers of the great Buddha who advocated compassion and
non-violence ever say sorry to the innocents who were destroyed
during the
past 60 years?
From: K.Jeyakumar, United Kingdom, 10
February 2008
Vanakkam. I am from Tamil Nadu Madurai, working as a Maths lecturer
in the United Kingdom. The
Project Madurai 10th
Anniversary CD is a great achivement in Tamil
Literature.
From: Poornima Magadevan, Tamil Nadu,
9 February 2008
I have come across your website recently and to be frank I was so
excited to find such huge collections of
Tamil literature in a single place which we find difficult to find
even in good old libraries. Heartiest wishes for the
good work done by
Project Madurai and I pray to God for that excellent work to
continue - to educate future generations about our great language.
From:
Professor Nayda Cruz,
Radio Alianza Celestial, 30 January
2008
On
Jesus
Christ - The Rebel of Rebels....
I just want to thank you for showing a side of Jesus the
Christian church has failed to see. I always believed that there was some
spunk to him. Definitely a true rebel to the heart he was. Even so he
rebelled against death. According to the Holy Scriptures, on the third day
he rose from the dead. His Holy Spirit lives in us today that receive him.
The Spirit of a true Holy Rebel. He always spoke of his Father in heaven
that was known in the Old Testament as Lord of Host which meant,
God of many armies. His Father was a warlord.
What I'm trying to get to is, thanks for awakening the rebel
in me. As a western Christian this essence of Jesus has been forgotten or
not explored, it's taboo. He always taught
to be humble as a dove,
but wise as a serpent. You captured one of the attributes of Jesus that
needed to be seen.
From:
Dr.T.Prabu, Bangalore, Karnataka, 1 January 2008
Dear Editor, I am a horticulturist by profession from Tamil Nadu, India.
Your site gives all useful information about the Thamil people and their
culture. I want the whole world to know what a fantastic service you are
doing for all of us, Tamils. I believe that your site should also focus on
Tamil people's agricultural skills and their capacity for innovation.
 [see
also Visitor Comments:2007]
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rating
to the tamilnation website. [A well organised, and extensively annotated guide to Tamil-related
resources - ed.] Research usefulness [essential
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