Koraikuppam fishermen want houses near sea

By G Saravanan

Published in The New Indian Express, Chennai on Jan 30, 2012:

Source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/koraikuppam-fishermen-want-houses-near-sea/358200.html

CHENNAI: More than 130 families of fishermen, living in Tsunami-battered houses in Koraikuppam, a coastal hamlet near Pulicat in Ponneri Taluk limits, have appealed to Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to construct new houses for them on nearby high ground.

Though an non-government organisation had constructed about 100 houses for these families post-tsunami, they remain unoccupied for over four years, as they are located far away from the shoreline and are hence unsuitable for carrying out their traditional fishing activities.

“When the authorities were finalising an area amidst agricultural lands for the new houses, we objected to the location as fishermen cannot live in interior land as it is natural for us to live by the sea,” Raji Chettiyar, village head of the fishing hamlet, told Express.

However, the officials, gave scant regard to our livelihood options, completed the housing project in a hurry, Raji added.

As the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government failed to hear the grievances of the fishermen despite numerous pleas, the villages has written to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa hoping for her intervention.

Speaking to Express, K Bharathi, president of South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association (SIFWA) who wrote the letter to the Chief Minister on behalf of the affected, said: “The fishermen families, who are feeling cheated with the attitude of the previous DMK government despite representing the issue time and again, hopes for a kind-hearted intervention from Chief Minister Amma.”

The tsunami-affected have suggested a new location to the State government, a higher ground (vacant land belonging to the Revenue Department) along the shore in Koraikuppam fishing hamlet.

CHENNAI CORPORATION: No more bickering during Corpn Council meets: Mayor

Published in The New Indian Express, Chennai on Jan 28, 2012:

Source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/no-more-bickering-during-corp-meets-mayor/357586.html

CHENNAI: Taking strong exception to the repeated brawls breaking out inside the Corporation during council meetings between DMK and AIADMK members, Mayor S Duraisamy ordered the ruling party members to adhere to the decorum of the House or face eviction.

Reprimanding a group of AIADMK members, who began a verbal duel with the opposition DMK members, Duraisamy said, “When a Mayor calls for normalcy inside the House, all the members, even if they are from the ruling party, have to obey it. If you (AIADMK members) denounce the order, I will not hesitate to order eviction to bring order to the Council.” 
The issue was triggered by the Open Space Reservation (OSR) violations by the DMK head office, Anna Arivalayam.

Irked with the attitude shown by a group of AIADMK councillors, Duraisamy further added, “Actions such as entering into a brawl or using unparliamentary words against the opposition DMK councillors would only defame the reputation of Amma (Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa) and I don’t want any such embarrassment to the Puratchi Thalaivi, especially from the Chennai Corporation Council proceedings.”

He went on to chide the councillors, many of whom were women, “If you want to prove your muscle power, go outside (The Ripon Buildings)and prove wherever you want. This historic Council Hall is a place for healthy discussions and this tradition should be honoured at any cost,” he said firmly.

It may be noted that the Mayor had, in last month’s council meet, also taken umbrage to the fact that AIADMK councillors were provoking DMK councillors to stage walkouts for no valid reason. “The House has a decorum which elected members should give due reverence to. We should only witness heated debates - fist-fights are not good for a healthy democracy,” Duraisamy advised the members, in closing.

CM nod sought for action against ex-Mayor

Published in The New Indian Express on Jan 28, 2012:

Source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/cm-nod-sought-for-action-against-ex-mayor/357708.html

CHENNAI: The AIADMK-led Chennai Corporation council on Friday sought the nod of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to initiate legal action against former Mayor M Subramanian for allegedly misusing his post.

Announcing the decision to the House during the monthly Council meet, Mayor Saidai S Duraisamy, who was responding to a query raised by a AIADMK councillor G Kandhan (Ward-172), said, “Former Mayor Subramanian, with vested interests, widened the Riverview Road that runs along the Adyar River in Kotturpuram, to promote a real estate firm owned by a relative of a former DMK transport minister K N Nehru.”

As promised in last month’s Council meet, Duraisamy submitted a report on the irregularities committed by the then mayor Subramanian to benefit the former chief minister M Karunanidhi and former minister Nehru.

While submitting the report in the House, Duraisamy said, “Preliminary reports have confirmed that the then mayor had violated Corporation rules and misused his authority to benefit a few frontline DMK leaders.”

The road, which was hardly 15 feet wide, was widened to about 60 feet without the required permission from the PWD, which possesses the land for the purpose of mitigating flood water from the Adyar River during monsoon seasons, he said.

“During the probe for real facts behind the road widening issue, it has clearly emerged that the then Mayor Subramanian clandestinely misused his official position and bent the civic body’s rules to suit the realtor close to former minister Nehru,” Duraisamy charged.

Kodungaiyur Garbage issue: Mayor promises action

Source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/kodungaiyur-garbage-issue-mayor-promises-action/357695.html

CHENNAI: Highlighting the problem faced by residents of north Chennai because of garbage dumping at Kodungaiyur yard, Perambur MLA A Soundararajan on Friday appealed to Mayor Saidai S Duraisamy to redress the issue immediately.

Addressing councillors during the monthly Council meet here at Ripon Building, Soundararajan said, “People living in and around Kodungaiyur are suffocating due to the stench emanating from the yard where there is indiscriminate dumping of garbage. An immediate solution would help them.”

While promising a permanent solution to the issue within a year, Duraisamy said that the dumping activities at Kodungaiyur were on even before the arrival of residential areas near it.

However, Soundararajan immediately intervened and asserted that facts have to be recorded correctly in the House and the fact is that the dumping activities (at Kodungaiyur) had began in 1982 only while residential colonies in the area were in existence since 1972.

Reacting to the MLA’s rebuttal, Duraisamy assured Soundararajan that Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has more concerns for the Kodungaiyur people than him and the issue would be redressed accordingly. He also invited the MLA to attend the next Council meeting, where garbage-related issues would be debated thoroughly. The MLA also raised the issue of frequent burning of garbage inside the yard and the Mayor quickly promised to look into it.

Chennai Corporation to push to retrieve DMK land

Source: http://expressbuzz.com/states/tamilnadu/chennai-corporation-to-push-to-retrieve-dmk-land/357692.html

CHENNAI: Terming the Chennai Corporation’s latest move as a ‘final act’ to retrieve open space reservation (OSR) land from the DMK headquarters — Anna Arivalayam — Mayor Saidai S Duraisamy on Friday urged the State to pass a notification to reclaim the land that was illegally encroached by the DMK for decades.

While replying to a question by AIADMK’s 117th Ward Councillor P Arumugam, Duraisamy informed the Council that the DMK Trust, which maintains the land, has not issued any gift deed for the 1,893 sqm OSR land to CMDA yet.

Irked over the AIADMK councillors raking up the issue again, DMK’s floor leader Subash Chandra Bose objected to the discussion and asked the Mayor to focus on public welfare issues that required the Council’s immediate attention. After Bose’s observation, a heated exchange ensued between AIADMK and DMK members. Condemning the unfriendly gesture of the AIADMK members inside the Hall and for giving undue importance to the land issue in every Council meet, DMK members staged a walkout.

Later, the Mayor said the Council is waging its final battle to retrieve the land from Anna Arivalayam.

Recalling the history of the dispute, he said, “The DMK Trust, which got a conditional exemption for maintaining the OSR land after promising to develop an orphanage inside its plot, hasn’t constructed any orphanage.”

Lankan refugees knock CM’s door

By G Saravanan

Published in The New Indian Express, Chennai on January 26, 2012:

Source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/lankan-refugees-knock-cm%E2%80%99s-door/357077.html

CHENNAI: Seeking Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s intervention for their immediate release, 29 Sri Lankan Tamil inmates now lodged in Chengalpet Special Detention Camp have began their indefinite hunger strike pressing their demand  to allow them to live with their family members in normal refugee camps.

According to information trickling out of the camp, 29 inmates have began their indefinite fast since Tuesday morning demanding the government to allow them to live with their families in other refugee camps.

It is learnt that the fast was an outcome of government’s repeated betrayals on their promise to shift inmates from the special detention camp in Chengalpet to other normal camps.

Those on fast include Krishnalingam, Vikramasingam, Selvam, Sudhakaran, Jagan and Kannan, who were detained at the special camp for more than 18 months now, in connection with petty cases. After completing legal formalities and interrogation, the government used to release Lankan inmates from the camp in groups every three months.

When these 29 Lankan inmates sat for a token fast in the first week this month, higher officials from the Q Branch met them and promised to release a batch of them around Pongal.

However, it did not happen as promised, and the inmates launched a fresh fasting agitation on Tuesday. Besides sending appeals to all top official involved in manning the Special Detention Camp, the inmates also sent a detailed appeal to Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to consider their plea with a kind heart.

‘Pullout of US troops will pose threat to Asia'

Published in The New Indian Express, Chennai on January 25, 2012:

Source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/%E2%80%98Pullout-of-US-troops-will-pose-threat-to-Asia/356750.html

CHENNAI: Sounding a warning for the entire Asian region of expected increase in the activities of terrorist groups, Major General NS Jamwal, Chief of Staff, HQ ATNKK Area, on Tuesday said that the US force pullout from Afghanistan will not be in the interest of the region.

Addressing the students of the Defence and Strategic Studies Department, University of Madras, during a seminar on “Conflict and Migration in South Asia,” here, Maj Gen Jamwal said, “As the US has planned to move out its forces from Afghanistan and even started the process, I do not know how it is going to unfold. But the way things are there as we see it, it’s not going to be in the interest of the region.”

He was referring to the activities of different terrorist groups out of Afghanistan-Pakistan border areas, which would likely record a surge in the aftermath of US’ departure from the Afghan region.

Jamwal said: “Pakistan has a major stake as far as Afghanistan is concerned. But I am sure that the US will take care of its long-term interests in the region by acting against these groups, who have been attacking the US from there, through adequate measures.”

Though the situation in Afghanistan remained volatile, the presence of US forces has worked as a stabilising factor, he added.

Revealing that wars in future would be shorter with the advent of technology in the field, Jamwal said, “Wars in future are going to be politically-motivated. There will be a political master and his/her’s objective has to be achieved.”

Ripon building will stand tall by year-end

By G Saravanan

Published in The New Indian Express, Chennai on January 25, 2012:

Source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/Ripon-building-will-stand-tall-by-year-end/356694.html

CHENNAI: Although restoration works at the historic Ripon Building, fondly known as White House, has missed its revised deadline, it is progressing in full swing.

According to official sources, the restoration of Ripon Building is progressing well and would be completed by the end of 2012.

Standing majestically on the Poonamallee High Road as a seat of the Chennai Corporation for decades, the architectural splendour was built by Loganatha Mudaliar between 1909 and 1913. Earl of Minto, the then Viceroy and Governor General of India, laid the foundation on December 12, 1909.

A mix of Gothic, Ionic, Neo-classical and Corinthian architectural styles, Ripon Building is 252-feet long and 126-feet wide. Its tower is 132-foot tall and features a clock which is eight feet in diameter.

In October 2009, the then Mayor of the Chennai Corporation M Subramanian launched the restoration work after getting grants of Rs 8 crore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme.

Though Subramanian had then fixed an 18-month deadline (April 2011) for completion of the restoration, it missed the deadline as the work moved at  snail’s space.

However, Subramanian took special interest in the restoration of the historic structure. The Corporation authorities then formed a three-member panel to monitor the progress of the project.

After repeated delays in meeting the deadline in the past, officials now say that the restoration of historic structure is progressing well and will be completed by December this year.

Ripon Building will celebrate its centenary year in 2013 and the Chennai Corporation is expected to host a variety of programmes to mark the feat.

The statue of Lord Ripon, Viceroy (1880 to 1884)  after whom the building has been named, stands at the entrance. Ripon Building was built at a cost of  Rs 7.5 lakh.

TAMIL NADU: Soon, pet dogs to have microchip tags

PIC SOURCE:http://www.microchipfordogs.info/

By G Saravanan

Published in The New Indian Express, Chennai on Jan 24, 2012:

Source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/soon-pet-dogs-to-have-microchip-tags/356343.html

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Veterinary Sciences and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) is set to launch a project to implant microchips in all pet dogs visiting its Madras Veterinary College campus for treatment from April 1.

Speaking to Express on the sidelines of a free vaccination camp for animals at the MVC on Monday, Dr S Prathaban, director of clinics in TANUVAS said, “Clinical trials on pet dogs have already been completed and installation of microchips (through injection) would begin from April 1.”

“Installation of microchips would help the varsity to digitise the medical records of the canines and it would also provide valuable data of pets and different diseases,” Prathaban said.

According to university sources, data like age of the dog, its vaccination history, infections suffered earlier and other diagnosis provided to the animal will be stored in the microchip and it would be read using a normal barcode reader.

The chips would help veterinarians trace the dog’s medical history with ease. Besides, finding the owner of the pet (in case the pet goes missing) by reading the chip could prove very useful. This data stored in the chip could be used against those who abandon their pet dogs. Though private canine clubs charge about Rs 250 to instal a microchip, TANUVAS will charge very nominal rates.

The move would also help in reducing the number of rabies cases and also reduce the incidence of zoonotic diseases transmitted from animals to humans.

CHENNAI PORT: ‘EMRIP will be ready by June next’

Published in The New Indian Express, Chennai on Jan 24, 2012:

Source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/%E2%80%98emrip-will-be-ready-by-june-next%E2%80%99/356344.html

CHENNAI: Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan on Monday assured the media that the Rs 600 crore Ennore Manali Road Improvement Project (EMRIP) would be completed by June 2013, which was originally scheduled to be completed by Dec 2012.

Speaking to reporters after reviewing the progress of the two connectivity projects — Elevated Expressway from Chennai Port to Maduravoyal and Ennore Manali Road Improvement Project — aimed at improving the evacuation of road-bound cargo to and from Chennai Port, along with the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways C P Joshi at the port’s headquarters here, Vasan said, “While the EMRIP would be completed by June next year, the elevated expressway project is progressing well.”

Reacting to a question about the diminishing future of the Chennai Port in the face of repeated delays, Vas-an said, “Chennai Port has a bright future and you (media) will be there to report its prosperity.”
The minister during a foundation laying ceremony for EMRIP in Jan 2011 at Thiruvotriyur, had promised that the project would be completed within two years (Dec 2012).

Earlier, Vasan and Joshi reviewed the initiative taken by Chennai Port to improve its road and rail infrastructure so that there is a free flow of traffic inside the port. The issues of congestion inside the port and along the city roads leading to Chennai Port were discussed.

The ministers assured that approvals required for quick release of funds will be given due priority.

BUSINESS LINE REPORT ON DAM: ‘Half of (Mullaperiyar) dam may give way within 12 minutes of break'

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/article2823154.ece

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JAN. 22: 

A ‘break' of the ageing dam at tremor-prone Mullaperiyar would send out flood waters rising up to 9.4 metres just below the reservoir, 12.41 metres a little further down at Vallakkadavu and 8.5 metres at Idukki.

According to the first part of a report commissioned by the State Government, experts at IIT-Roorkee have said that as much as half of the century-old structure would give way within 12 minutes of the dam-break.

FLOOD SITUATION

The ensuing flood situation would send the water levels rising to a height of 886 metres above sea level (asl) 50 metres downstream in the Periyar river; 854 metres asl at Vallakkadavu, the nearest human settlement; and 767.26 asl metres at the Idukki dam.

If the dam-break were to occur at the maximum water level of 136 ft at Mullaperiyar, it will cause the water level at the much larger Idukki reservoir situated 36 km away to rise by 20.85 metres.

Flood water from the Mullaperiyar dam would reach Vallakkadavu within 26 minutes; Vandiperiyar in 31 minutes; and Idukki dam within 128 minutes.

The State Government had asked the dam-break analysis to be conducted along a string of dams Mullaperiyar, Idukki, Cheruthoni, Kulamavu, Lower Periyar and Bhuthathankettu.

FIRST PART

Contiguous regions bounded by the Periyar as it empties several hundred km through the midlands into the Arabian Sea too were brought under the focus of the study.

IIT-Roorkee has submitted only the first part of the detailed report pertaining to an area extending from Mullaperiyar to the Idukki reservoir. The second part of the report is expected to be submitted before May.

Usually a dam-break occurs when the dam overflows either due to flooding heavy rains, weak structural conditions, or due to earthquakes and landslips triggering strong waves which apply immense pressure against the dam wall.

A dam-break along the upstream of the main river could have a cascading impact on the structures downstream, the IIT report said.

SIMULATION MODULES

Intensity and impact of a dam-break could be reduced if preventive steps are initiated, taking into consideration the quantity and force of the water expected to rush down, the density of population along the flood path and probable damage to life and property.

The report suggested that hydro-dynamics stimulation modules be set up for the purpose. This will help analyse the flood hydro graph, the expected water levels in various places and the likely flow path in downstream.

The dam-break analysis was carried out using one-dimensional hydro dynamic modelling. The HEC- RAS version 4.1.0 developed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission of the US was used for the purpose.

Breach guide lines provided by the Energy Regulatory Commission and the American Bureau of Reclamation were also consulted in the matter.

vinson@thehindu.co.in

Coast Guard shows off skills at sea

Source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/coast-guard-shows-off-skills-at-sea/356007.html

CHENNAI: In a colourful exercise, the Coast Guard (CG) personnel demonstrated their skills in search and rescue and coastal security operations in the sea, off the Chennai’s coastline, as part of the 35th founding day celebrations of the coastal security force on Sunday. 

In consonance with its tag line ‘We Protect’, personnel onboard CG ships Sagar, Sarang, Vishwast, Vajra, Sarojini Naidu and Interceptor Boats C-151, C-146 and Hovercraft-151, 183 along with Chetak helicopters demonstrated their capabilities in anti-piracy and poaching activities as well as saving lives.

Scenes of swiftly rescuing a survivor on high seas from a helicopter and dropping a life raft were fascinatingly recreated. Chasing and apprehending pirates and precise target firing by dornier maritime surveillance aircraft were gripping. Firing from heavy machine guns on Sarang, fleet manoeuvres and fire fighting techniques mesmerised onlookers. The ships and aircraft carried out a ‘smart steam past and fly past’, saluting their regional commander, Inspector General Satya Prakash Sharma.

Speaking to reporters on board Sarang, Sharma said the exercise had the twin objectives of sensitising the common man to the role of CG besides providing an opportunity to families of sailors of the force to see what their loved ones did.

Boat race and more

On other activities as part of anniversary celebrations, Sharma said a boat race would be held for fishermen on the Marina on February 6 and 7 to connect with fishermen, whose protection is a key objective for the coastal security force. A motorcycle rally on Sunday started from Kanyakumari and would reach Chennai on February 1. The rally would cover all coastal villages to increase awareness of the CG.

A joint exercise would be held along with the Japanese Coast Guard, “Settsu,” on January 29 in seas off Chennai. Chief of Indian CG, vice admiral MP Muralidharan, and head of Japanese CG would participate.

Sense of belonging draws spouses to ships

Source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/Sense-of-belonging-draws-spouses-to-ships/356006.html

CHENNAI: When a woman, in her early fifties gently patted the imposing Coast Guard ship Sarang as she disembarked after a day at sea, it reminded one of Maximus in the film Gladiator, who runs his fingers through through the wheat grown on his fields.

Little wonder, wives of officers of the Coast Guard have a strong sense of belonging and love towards the ship in which their spouses spend a good part of their lives. Something like this cannot be normally expected from families of employees of other sectors.

“This is my ship. My husband (Gurupdesh Singh) commanded this majestic vessel (Sarang) before his elevation as Chief of Staff,” declared Amrita Singh with a tinge of excitement.

Anandi Dinakaran, whose better half had been a commandant of ships, including the recently decommissioned Kittur Chennamma, said sea and vessels had always been a thing of joy for them, an extended “member” of the family.

“I love and respect ships. When we come on board, we understand the difficult job, a member of the armed forces does at sea.”

If this is what the spouses feel, how do those who actually work feel?

Says Sanjay Aryavir, Commanding officer of CG Squardon 848 (choppers): “The sea is our revered work place and I have saved many lives as part of my duty. However, we could do little to save lives in the recent Pulicat tragedy despite our best efforts. Incidents like these affect us.”

Thiruvotriyur High Road widening work begins

By G Saravanan
Published in The New Indian Express, Chennai on Jan 22, 2012:
Source:http://expressbuzz.com/biography/thiruvotriyur-high-road-widening-work-begins/355721.html
CHENNAI: Finally, works for widening Thiruvotriyur High Road, one of the two-decades-old demands of the local residents, gained momentum on Saturday after the authorities began pulling down structures that obstructed the widening process.



Despite five bhumipoojas in the last five years and the then local MLA K P P Samy’s one-year ‘deadline’ to residents on completing the project (in 2009), the widening of the road connecting Chennai city with the northern suburbs has been at  snail’s pace.
When the project was first planned in 2006, the highways department proposed to convert the entire five-km stretch (from Toll Gate to Ernavur bridge) as a 66 ft four-lane road with median, box culverts, side-drains and seepage pipes at an estimated cost of Rs 11.50 crore.
When the AIADMK won the seat in the recent Assembly election, its elected MLA K Kuppan promised the local residents to initiate the road widening work.
Walking the talk, Kuppan organised a review meeting with the local officials and also succeeded in making the State Highways Minister Palanichamy visit the road for re-starting the stalled widening works.
Due to the inordinate delay in land acquisition for the road widening works, the project cost has escalated to Rs 30 crore from the 2006 projection of  Rs 11.5 crore.
On Saturday afternoon, State Highways authorities, using heavy machineries started pulling down the structures that were marked for demolition years ago for the widening project. The encroachment removal drive along the T H Road would continue on Sunday. Official sources said road laying work would begin soon.
The widening of the Thiruvotriyur High Road is a long pending demand of Thiruvotriyur, Ernavur, Kathivakkam and Ennore residents. Traffic snarls are very common in the area as the road is narrow.

வரலாற்றுத் துரோகங்கள் மூலம் தமிழீழ மண்ணில் மீண்டும் ஒரு போர்க்களத்தை உருவாக்காதீர்கள்!

"வரலாற்றுத் துரோகங்கள் மூலம் தமிழீழ மண்ணில் மீண்டும் ஒரு போர்க்களத்தை உருவாக்காதீர்கள்!"

Source:http://www.pathivu.com/news/19775/57//d,article_full.aspx

சிறிலங்கா அரச தரப்புடன் சுமார் ஒரு வருட காலம் தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பு நடாத்திவந்த மூடுமந்திரப் பேச்சுவார்த்தையின் இலக்கு தற்போது புரிய ஆரம்பித்துள்ளது. 

தரவே மாட்டேன் என்ற அடம்பிடித்தலுடன் மகிந்த ராஜதானிகளது இறுக்கத்தைக் கலைத்து, அவற்றைப் பெற்றுவிட்டோம் என்ற இறுமாப்புடன் தமிழீழத்திற்கு மாற்றீடாக மாகாணசபையை ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளும் திட்டத்துடன் தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பு நகர்வதாகவே புலப்படுகின்றது. அதாவது, கடந்த மூப்பது வருடங்களுக்கும் மேலாகத் தமிழ் மக்களால் முற்றாக நிராகரிக்கப்பட்ட பரிபூரண சிங்கள மேலாதிக்கம் கொண்ட மாகாணசபையினை ஏற்றுக்கொள்வதனூடாக தமிழீழ மக்களது தமிழீழ இலட்சியத்தையும், அதற்கான விடுதலைப் புலிகளது அர்ப்பணிப்புக்களையும், உயிர்த் தியாகங்களையும் அதனுள் புதைத்துவிடும் வகையிலான தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பின் எல்லைக் கோடுகள் வெளியே தெரிய ஆரம்பித்துள்ளன. 

தற்போது, தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பு தெரிவித்துவரும் கருத்துக்களின்படியும், இந்திய வெளிவிவகார அமைச்சர் எஸ்.எம். கிருஷ்ணா அவர்களிடம் விடுத்த வேண்டுகோளின்படியும் தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பின் அதி உச்ச இலக்கு பொலிஸ், காணி உரிமைகள் கொண்ட மாகாணசபை மட்டுமே. அந்த உச்ச இலக்குடன், அவற்றைத் தரமாட்டோம் என்கின்ற சிங்கள தேசியவாதத்துடன் சில விட்டுக்கொடுப்பு சமரசங்களும் ஏற்படலாம். இது, நீ அடிப்பது போல் அடி, நான் அழுவது போல் அழுகின்றேன் என்பதற்கு ஒப்பான இழுபறி மட்டுமே. இப்போது இதையும் விட்டுவிட்டால், எப்போதும் எதுவும் கிடைக்கப்போவதில்லை என்ற சப்பைக்கட்டுக்குள் தமிழீழ மக்களது அவலங்கள் புதைக்கப்பட்டு, சிங்கள தேசத்தின் ஆட்சியாளர்கள் மீதான போர்க் குற்ற விசாரணைகளும் நீர்த்துப் போய்விடும். 

முள்ளிவாய்க்காலின் பின்னர், விடுதலைப் புலிகளின் பின்னே அணிவகுத்து நின்ற புலம்பெயர் தமிழர்கள் தங்களது ஜனநாயக முறைமைப் போராட்டத்தினூடாகத் தமிழீழ மக்களுக்கான நீதிக்காகத் தொடர்ந்தும் போராடி வருகின்றார்கள். அந்த நீதி தமிழீழ மக்களுக்கு மறுக்கப்படுமானால், அவர்களது கோபம் நிச்சயம் இன்னொரு போர்க் களத்தைப் பிரசவிக்கும். அதைத்தான் தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பின் மாகாணசபைக்கான கோரிக்கைகள் தமிழீழ மண்ணில் உருவாக்கப்போகின்றது. 

சிங்களப் படைகளது கொடூரங்களையும், தமிழினப் படுகொலைகளையும், பாலியல் கொடூரங்களையும் பார்த்து வளர்ந்துவரும் இன்னொரு சந்ததியிடம் தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பு தமிழீழ விடுதலைக்காக மீண்டும் ஆயுதம் ஏந்திப் போராடும் கட்டாயத்தைக் கையளிக்கப் போகின்றது. தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பின் தற்போதைய இலக்கு அதனையே எமக்கு உணர்த்துகின்றது. 

தமிழீழ விடுதலைப் போரும், அதற்கான காரணங்களும் முள்ளிவாய்க்காலுடன் முடிவுக்கு வந்துவிட்டதான சிங்கள தேசத்தின் கற்பிதமும், இதற்குமேல் எதையும் கேட்க முடியாது என்ற தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பின் காய்ந்துபோன சிந்தனைகளும் ஈழத் தமிழர்கள் அமைதி வழிக்குத் திரும்புவதற்குப் போதுமானதாக அமையாது. இலங்கைத் தீவில் மீண்டும் அமைதி திரும்ப வேண்டுமானால் தமிழீழ மக்களுக்கான நியாயங்கள் வழங்கப்பட வேண்டும். அவர்களுக்கு நீதி கிடைக்க வேண்டும். அவர்களது கௌரவம் மீள் நிறுத்தப்பட வேண்டும். அவர்களது அச்சங்கள் அகற்றப்பட வேண்டும். அது மட்டுமே இலங்கைத் தீவை இன்னொரு அழிவிலிருந்து மீட்கும்.

சிங்கள தேசியவாதத்தைத் திருப்திப்படுத்தும்விதமான எந்தத் தீர்வும் தமிழ் மக்களது சிந்தனையில் மாற்றங்களை உருவாக்காது. அக்கினியாய் கொதிக்கும் அவர்கள் மனங்களில் அமைதியை உருவாக்காது. இப்போது வேண்டுமானால், 10 தமிழர்களுக்கு ஒரு சிங்களப் படையினைவைத்துப் போலியான அமைதித் தோற்றத்தை உருவாக்க முடியும். அது எத்தனை காலத்திற்குத் தாக்குப் பிடிக்கப் போகின்றது?
முதலில், தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்பு தனது பலத்தை நம்ப வேண்டும். எதிரியின் பிரமாண்டம் இலங்கைத் தீவுக்குள் மட்டுமே என்பதைப் புரிந்து கொள்ள வேண்டும். தமிழீழ மக்களது விடுதலைக்கான போர்க் களம் ஒன்று இலங்கைத் தீவுக்கு வெளியே எரிமலைக் கொதிப்புடன் உள்ளதைப் புரிந்து கொள்ள வேண்டும். அதன் பலத்தையும், அனைத்துலக தளத்தில் அதன் காத்திரமான வகிபாகத்தையும் உணர்ந்து கொள்ள வேண்டும்.

முத்துக்குமாரன் மூட்டிய தீ இப்போதும் அனல் குறையாமல் தாய்த் தமிழகத்தைப் பற்றிப் படர்ந்து வருகின்றது. செங்கொடியின் ஈகமும், சிங்களத் தமிழன் நடேசன் மீதான தமிழ்த் தேசியவாதிகளின் தாக்குதலும் சாதாரணமான சம்பவங்கள் அல்ல. தமிழக மக்களின் கோபம் ஆட்சியை மாற்றியதுடன் அடங்கிவிடவில்லை என்பதைப் புரிந்து கொள்ள வேண்டும். 

ஈழத்து மக்களது பாதிச் சொந்தங்கள் புலத்தில் வேரூன்றி நிற்பதும் தமிழீழ விடுதலைக்கான பெரும் பலம் என்பதைப் பொய்யாக்கிவிட முடியாது. சிங்கள தேசத்தால் தொட முடியாத ஒன்று திரண்ட தமிழ்த் தேசிய சக்தி இப்போதும் சீறிப் பாயத் தயாராகவே உள்ளது. முள்ளிவாய்க்காலின் பெருந்துயர் வழங்கிய சோர்விலிருந்தும், தடுமாற்றங்களிலிருந்தும் விடுபட்டு வரும் புலம்பெயர் தமிழ்த் தேசிய தளங்களது பேரெழுச்சி சிங்கள ஆட்சியாளர்களுக்குப் பெரும் பீதியைக் கிளப்புவதை அண்மைய கொழும்புச் செய்திகள் உணர்த்துகின்றன. 

அதற்கும் மேலாக, தமிழீழ விடுதலைக்காக எந்த விலையைச் செலுத்தவும் தயாரான தமிழர்கள் உலகம் முழுவதும் காத்திருக்கின்றார்கள். இதற்குப் பின்னரும் எதற்காக அடிபணிதல் அரசியல்? வரலாற்றுத் துரோகங்கள் மூலம் தமிழீழ மண்ணில் மீண்டும் ஒரு போர்க்களத்தை உருவாக்காதீர்கள்!
- இசைப்பிரியா

Associated Press opens Pyongyang bureau

Source: http://www.northkoreatech.org/2012/01/17/ap-opens-pyongyang-bureau/

The Associated Press has opened a news bureau in Pyongyang making it the first western news agency to have a reporter and photographer based in the North Korean capital.

The bureau represents a coup for the AP over the competition, but its close cooperation with the state-run Korean Central News Agency, necessitated to realize the deal, brings with it questions over editorial independence.

AP President Tom Curley and KCNA President Kim Pyong Ho officially opened the bureau in Pyongyang on Monday. It came six months after the two met in New York and signed a basic agreement towards the office.

The bureau will be housed inside KCNA’s headquarters and will be permanently staffed by two North Koreans: reporter Pak Won Il and photographer Kim Kwang Hyon.

AP didn’t provide details of the background of the two and declined to say if they were on the payroll of AP or KCNA.

Regardless of their employment status, they were almost certainly trained in the North Korean media-slash-propaganda machine with books such as “The Great Teacher of Journalists” — a heavy tome filled with advice to journalists by Kim Jong Il. Their appointment would have been approved by North Korean authorities.

The two have already contributed to AP’s coverage over the last few weeks on the death of Kim Jong Il.

Pak was credited as providing details for several AP stories on the funeral, including “Thousands Gather In Snow To Mourn Kim Jong Il.” Kim Kwang Hyon is believed to be the photographer responsible for several unattributed photographs issued by AP of the funeral.

Video footage of the office released by KCNA shows pictures of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il hanging on the wall above some desks. A TV hangs on the wall and there also appears to be a refrigerator and microwave oven.

It’s this closeness with KCNA that has AP walking a delicate editorial line.

AP is based on a traditional of independent reporting, and KCNA is anything but independent. Its Japan-based website describes the agency as speaking “for the Workers’ Party of Korea and the DPRK government,” and its daily output is heavy with glorification of its leader and threats against South Korea and the U.S.

But when it comes to North Korea, KCNA is the only game in town.

North Korea has remained one of the few places in the world that has remained almost totally impenetrable to foreign journalists. Visits are strictly supervised and controlled, and information flow in and out of the country is just a trickle. This was demonstrated vividly in December when governments and media organizations were apparently unaware that anything was amiss in the days before the death of Kim Jong Il was announced.

Getting coverage from Pyongyang, albeit with assistance from the government’s news agency, is probably better than nothing.

The real payoff will come in the regular reporting trips by AP staffers that form part of the deal. Korea Bureau Chief Jean Lee and Chief Asia Photographer David Guttenfelder will oversee the bureau and are likely to continue visiting the country.

It also gives AP a leg up on competitors such as Reuters and AFP when major news breaks in Pyongyang, such as the recent death of Kim Jong Il.

Jarawa Dance Video ARMY PERSONNEL INVOLVED

Source:http://lightofandamans.blogspot.com/2012/01/cover-story-jarawa-dance-video-army.html

By Zubair Ahmed

The Jarawa dance video, which created hue and cry in the international and national media and forced the Government of India and Andaman and Nicobar Administration to order a probe, was actually shot by a group of army personnel.

In an independent investigation by LOA, it has come to the fore that police and ground staff of Andaman Aadim Janjathi Vikas Samithi (AAJVS) were not aware as the video was shot after the last convoy left Middle Strait.

Contrary to the statements released to the media by the Administration, the video was shot three years back on 6th  November 2008, in which two vehicles - a truck and a gypsy belonging to army were involved. 

In a release, S B Deol, DGP had said that the video was 10 years old and there were no cop in the video. He had also pointed out that a man with camouflaged uniform was visible in the media. 

However, he did not mention anyrole of defence personnel.

LOA has identified the Jarawa women and girls featuring in the video, which was shot at a place about 8 kms from Jirkatang, known as Chowdhary Gumai. There were six Jarawa women including a pregnant lady, who was shown fully naked. Thadul (16 years) daughter of Thadang, Ecnchobecha (14) d/o Thadang, Cheddatokula (35) wife of Whaydom and Aninja (13) d/o Whaydom featured in the video. Enepowaiele (21) w/o Mahe was 7-8 months pregnant when the video was shot. She gave birth to a baby girl Wane on 6 February 2009.

The army personnel traveling in a military truck had waited for the last convoy to pass from Middle Strait and with special permission traveled on the road. It has also come to light that Jarawas mostly belonging to Tirur sector has a Chadda (Jarawa Hut) very close to the place.

Jarawas, still a nomadic community travel from Tirur to Kadamtala and back frequently. They use the temporary chaddas on the way.

The Jarawas in Kadamtala and Middle Strait were able to identify the Jarawa women featuring in the video and the place where it took place.

Enepowaiele, the pregnant woman in the video, who is 24 years now has confirmed to a reliable source about the incident and involvement of army personnel.

However, this does not vindicate the police force present at Middle Strait who allowed the military truck to pass after the last convoy had departed from Middle Strait. The thumb rule is not to allow anybody except AAJVS, Police and Forest personnel dealing with the protection and welfare of Jarawas of specific territorial jurisdiction. This raises a serious question how army personnel, who were on a tour to Baratang could stop inside the Reserve and shoot the video exploiting the vulnerability of a tribe who are at crossroads, unaware of the dangers it poses to their life and culture.

The story about the video published by The Guardian/Observer, London was later picked by the national media and highlighted the plight of the Jarawas.

Soon after the expose by news channels, Shakti Sinha, Chief Secretary, ANI Admn had rebutted the episode saying that over the past decade, the population of the Jarawas has increased for the first time since they first came into contact with the outside world 150 years ago.  He also said that a Tribal Reserve has been increased from 847 sq kms to 1028 sq kms.

Speaking to a news channel, Prof Shekhar Singh said that the Lieutenant Governor and the Administration should be put on dock on the issue of contempt of court as the Administration has kept the Andaman Trunk Road open even after the Supreme Court's Order of May 2002.

The issue has also created a ruckus among the politicians and the settler communities who blamed foul play in the timing of the video saying that it was intentionally done to close Andaman Trunk Road, which they claim to be a lifeline.