GANDHI WAS FOR KHADI ANNA WAS FOR HANDLOOM BUT WHO PROMOTED IMPORTS OF WESTERN BRANDS DEPRIVING OUR WEAVERS OF DECENT LIFE?

TAMIL WEAVERS LOST THEIR PLACE UNDER THE SUN

N.Nandhivarman

You would have seen protests in Indian cities, which is an every day affair. Have you heard that the weavers of London protested in the streets of London in 1700 demanding ban on import of Indian textiles. Indian textiles were far superior to British products and weavers of British Isles forced their government to ban Indian textiles. The excavations in Red Sea ports and Dutch maritime records reveal that once upon a time India was the couturier of the world. Ms.Rosemary Crill of the V& A Museum of London along with co-authors Ruth Barnes and Steven Cohen published a book Trade, Temple and Court Indian Textiles from Tapi Collections, wherein she states “The East India Company was founded in 1600 to sell British woolen cloth to India, their ships arrived in India in Surat [of Gujarat] in 1608 with vast quantities of broadcloth but the trade soon faltered and died out. What changed their fortune was the discovery of cotton, which was completely unknown in Europe.” Till 18^th century from 10 th century, Indian weavers were unbeatable in world markets. In fact most of them were Tamil weavers.

Recently speaking at the Historical Society of Puducherry, Professor Orse M.Gobalakichenane who published the Veera Naicker’s diary 1778-1792 admitted that even in France, French weavers protested against import of textiles from French India namely Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, Yenam and Chandranagore. Quoting Veera Naicker’s diary Professor Orse.M.Gobalakichenane narrated on how the kaikolars, the Tamil community of weavers were taken on three year contract to French colonies to teach local weavers, weaving techniques. I intervened and asked, why France took weavers from Puducherry, whereas they could have brought from their France. Economics apart, it became evident by the Professor’s reply that French weavers protested Puducherry textiles leading to the logical conclusion that our weavers were far superior in their skills which made them wanted species every where.

Even within India, Gujarat particularly Ahamadabad attracted lot of Tamil weavers from Puducherry and Cuddalore regions prior to independence and post independence. Aringnar Anna, the charismatic leader of DMK when he flew to Ahamadabad in fifties of last century saw the chimneys of too many textile mills and commented that “I have seen coconut groves but not mill groves”. Those textile mills are razed to ground and becoming shopping malls and housing complexes in Ahamadabad. Successive generations of weavers have opted out of their traditional profession. In Puducherry too the three textile mills built by French were the backbone of the economy of French India. They are now sick industries breathing hard to survive in competitive economy. Our madness to go after branded products from west and inferiority complex about our textiles and weavers had made us dependent on textile imports too.

Our weavers are capable of adapting to changing times even in this century.

 Dharmavaram, a small sleepy town in Ananthapur District of Andhra Pradesh in India is known for silk saris and equated with Kanchipuram. The weavers of this Dharmavaram had brought out a singing saree known as Swaramaduri, which they weave with reloadable 4 GB memory card and with a switch in the saree music could be heard for 4 meters around. Let us patronize our weavers, our weaver’s products and keep them as rare species which once conquered the world now languishing for our attention to regain the past supremacy in world trade.

தோழர் ஜார்ஜ் பெர்னாண்டஸ் பேசுகிறார் நூல் எழுப்பிய நினைவலைகள்

Life-saving scientific research is being stifled by a "broken" patent system,

WHERE OUR SCIENTISTS ARE HEADING?

Dravida Peravai feels that all research in science is meant to help humanity and unfortunately patent regime promotes profits of companies and not serves the community. While we read this BBC story, for a while it flashed in our memory that during the BJP-NDA rule at Center Gomutra Distillate got US patent. If Morarji Desai had been alive some Government would have got patent to human urine too.

BJP DRIVE TO PATENT COW URINE and COWDUNG

Times of India report stated “Cow urine has been found to enhance the effect of antibiotics. A composition by Indian scientists using cow urine distillate to enhance the antimicrobial effect of the antibiotic present in the formulation has been granted a US patent. This finding could have a significant impact on drug usage. The novel use of the distillate could help reduce the dosage of antibiotics, drugs and anti cancer agents while increasing the efficiency of absorption of anti-biotic and other drugs.

Union HRD Minister Murli Manohar Joshi who announced the US patent at a function on July of 2002 said the patent demonstrated the use of cow urine distillate as an active enhancer for anti infective and anti cancer agents. The patent No 6410059 was given on June 25th .

There are lot of medicinal plants in India, and in each food item of our usage more particularly in South, the saying is food itself is medicine. Research or patenting any of these had never been on the agenda of BJP governments. 

Take for example our neem, which is planted everywhere in China, to extract and market neem based products. During the NDA rule being introduced by Comrade George Fernandes to Planning Commission Member Dr.S.B.Gupta, I submitted a plan to plant the Himalayan Yew trees all over Himalayas. These trees were grown in Meghalaya, and the compound of these trees had anti cancer properties. One kilo of those compound extracted from many trees had a value in crores in international markets. These trees were regularly smuggled through Burma to international markets.

Such trees can grow in Himalayan region or in such climate. I suggested that all the tribal and other indigenous people and all villagers of that region irrespective of caste or creed be provided with saplings and encouraged to plant these trees all over Himalayas. Those people must be conferred with the right to sell these trees once grown, so that within a decade or so, each family can earn lakhs or crores and come out of poverty.

 Comrade George Fernandes recalled his first trip by flight over Himalayas and the contrast he saw flying over Himalayas as Defense Minister. He said in those days full of green cover was there, and felling of trees had done havoc to the ecology of the region. My plan was discussed in Planning Commission and an idea emerged to create a Himalayan Authority to save the ecology of Himalayas. But in mid stream, some sadist among bureaucrats killed this scheme by saying India alone cannot create an institution to save Himalayas, but other countries surrounding Himalayas should be brought in and a Trans National Authority be created. This is how our bureaucrats bury good schemes that will wipe poverty, empower economically our poor, and save our ecology. If only Comrade George Fernandes was Prime Minster, I could have broken the bureaucratic  hurdles. Even this deliberation in Planning Commission was because of him and his proximity with Mr.Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a good man in bad company, as Dr.Kalaignar M.Karunanithi used to describe.

The religious frenzy that drove Murli Manohar Joshi to patent cow’s urine also made the then Animal Husbandry Minister of BSP-BJP coalition government of Uttar Pradesh send lorry loads of cow dung to Bhaba Atomic Research Centre in Trivandrum to examine the power of cow dung to shield people from nuclear radiation. I jokingly wrote a guest editorial in Tamil daily Maalai Bhoomi, that if western powers threw nuclear bombs at us we can defend by throwing cow dung on them. Atom Bomb versus Cow dung Bomb is the title of that editorial.

This incident illustrates the researches BJP is interested in and the Patents India gets. There is an article in BBC on Patents which is given below, which prompted me to say that in all research humanity should ultimately benefit.

  

Patent system 'stifling science'  

 

By James Morgan Science reporter, BBC News

Life-saving scientific research is being stifled by a "broken" patent system, according to a new report. "Blocking patents" are delaying advances in cancer medicine and food crops, says the Canada-based Innovation Partnership, a non-profit consultancy. The full benefits of synthetic biology and nanotechnology will not be realized without urgent reforms to encourage sharing of information, they say. Their findings will be reported next week to UK policymakers and NGOs. The report is compiled by the Innovation Partnership's International Expert Group on Biotechnology, Innovation and Intellectual Property.

It cites examples of medical advances which have been delayed from reaching people in need - in both the developed and developing world. These include HIV/Aids drugs and cancer screening tests. In pharmacy, we no longer see much discovery - we see firms playing safe and holding onto their turf

   

Pat Mooney, ETC Group

The authors offer guidelines for a transition from "Old IP" to "New IP", in which companies, researchers and governments recognize that sharing information is mutually beneficial. "If we are to turn the atoms of publicly funded discovery into molecules of innovation... we have to make sure research avenues stay open," said the report's lead author, Professor Richard Gold. "That doesn't mean there will be no patents. It simply means that patents don't become a barrier to early stage research. "We do not want to end up in the same situation with nanotechnology that we are in with genetics."

Fortress IP

The traditional view is that strong patent protection stimulates innovation, reassuring companies that it is safe to invest in research without fear of being stung by rivals. Under this "old" model of intellectual property (IP), biotech firms raced to file a "fortress" of patents around newly discovered genes, closing off avenues of research for their competitors. But this strategy is ultimately counter-productive for both industry and consumers, argues the report, not least because it deters grass roots research in universities. Work on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that can cause breast cancer has been held up by legal disputes over patents held on the genes by Myriad Genetics, a biotech firm based in Utah, US. Meanwhile, patients in European countries were denied access to the cancer screening kits, because national health services were unwilling to meet the cost. The Myriad case is "an anatomy of old IP gone wrong", said Dr Gold, Professor of Intellectual Property Law at McGill University in Montreal.

"Myriad is not the exception - it is the rule. Others are following and will continue to follow, unless we drastically change things." To facilitate sharing of information, he believes companies should be encouraged to form "patent pools", allowing them to cross-license their technologies without losing out on royalties. An example is the pool established by the international partnership Unit aid to provide HIV patients in developing countries with access to affordable anti-retroviral drugs.

Partnerships

Governments should develop public-private partnerships to conduct early stage research, and seek other ways to encourage innovation - via tax credits, for instance. Meanwhile, patent offices must standardize their information gathering and do more to help firms in developing countries gain access to accurate patent information, the report recommends.

Reform now would ensure that society feels the full benefit of new fields such as synthetic biology, a discipline that could lead to cells with novel genomes which perform useful functions, such as making bio-fuels or absorbing greenhouse gases. Dr Craig Venter, the man who led the private sector effort to sequence the human genome, has already raised eyebrows by applying to patent the method he plans to use to create a "synthetic organism". Fears that these patents may be too broad have been raised by the ETC Group, which campaigns for the reform of biotech patenting. "The patenting system is not functioning. It is more of a barrier than an incentive," said Pat Mooney, the organization’s executive director. "In pharmacy, we no longer see much discovery - we see firms playing safe and holding onto their turf.”Meanwhile, in nanotechnology, we have seen some dangerously broad patents, which cut off whole areas of research.” Patent offices must get up to speed with new areas of science, so they know exactly how much they are giving away."

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/science/nature/7632318.stm

Published: 2008/09/24 08:56:10 GMT

IPKF : NANDHIVARMAN WRITES TO RAJIV .... GEORGE FERNANDES ENDORSES VIEW.. KALAIGNAR BOYCOTS IPKF

INDIAN PRIME MINISTER RAJIV GANDHI's MISADVENTURE IN SENDING IPKF: NANDHIVARMAN WRITES TO RAJIV CONDEMNING AND 

GEORGE FERNANDES EXPRESSES OPINION ON NANDHIVARMAN's LETTER : 1987 

The western press corps currently congregated in Colombo have a name for it - they call it the Five O'clock Follies, the same sobriquet given to the regular press briefings by the US Army in Saigon during the Vietnam war.

The comparison may be odious, but the daily 5 p.m. briefings at the new Indian High Commission chancery in Colombo on the Indian Army's operations in Jaffna contained some chilling parallels. The disputed body counts, the territorial tug of war, an invisible enemy, and above all, the growing realisation that it is a war where victory and defeat can mean much the same.

                                                                                                

                                                                                                           

THAMIZHAN CANAL IN BAY OF BENGAL 3.11.2003

THAMIZHAN CANAL IN BAY OF BENGAL

In a letter to Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra an appeal to construct 10 th Degree Canal was suggested. Then Dravida Peravai sent Memorandums to Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Thailand Prime Minister Thakashin Shinawatra on 3.11.2003

August 15 th 2003, from Pondicherry Dravida Peravai wrote a letter to the Lt.Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Mr.N.N.Jha on the need to dig a canal in Thailand connecting Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Siam. It also urged that such Indo-Thailand joint venture be named as Thamizhan Calvaay. (Daily Thanthi 15.08.2003). Then Dinamani dated 28.08.2003 stated that a memorandum for construction of a " New Canal for benefiting Chennai and Tuticorin Harbor’s” had been handed over to the Union Minister of State for External Affairs Mr.Digvijay Singh. Mr.Singh lauded this project which will reduce 1500 nautical miles to reach South China Seas. 

 The details of the project are in this article.

Joint efforts by India and Thailand to construct the Tenth Degree Canal for linking Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand to create a short navigational route to South China Seas ensuring fuel savings and to act as catalyst for bilateral economic growth , is need of the hour.

You may be aware that the Suez Canal (1869) and Panama Canal (1915) Sethu Samudram Canal (1860) and Tenth Degree Canal have been mooted to create short navigational routes to bring prosperity to their respective regions and countries. The French initiative to build Siene_Norde Canal is an example for the keen interest evinced by developing countries to promote trade and overall development. 

Since the recent visit of Indian Prime Minister had given tremendous boost to the cooperation between India and Thailand, Dravida Peravai is bringing to your knowledge certain historical facts with the humble request to you both to take an active interest for the construction of Tenth Degree Canal, which can bring prosperity to Andaman & Nicobar islands of India and Thailand, apart from boosting bilateral trade.

You must go back to the pages of history to know that Thailand then known, as Siam is an enemy country of the British and an ally of the Japan during the World War II. On the conclusion of the Second World War II, one of the last secretive acts performed by the colonial Government of India was the signing of a Peace Treaty with Siam (Thailand). A Peace Treaty between her Majesty’s Government and the Government of India on one hand and the Kingdom of Siam on the other, on January 1, 1946 at the Government House Singapore. The signatories were for the Britain Mr. Moberly Dening, Political Adviser to Lord Louis Mount batten, for Government of India Mr.M.S.Aney and for Siam (now Thailand) Prince Viwat Anajai Jaiyant, Lt.General Phya Abhai Songgram and Nai Serm Vinichayakul. This treaty contains 24 articles. Out of this Article 7 assumes importance in the context of this letter.

Article 7: Siam undertakes to construct no canal linking the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Siam (i.e. across the Kra Isthmus) without British consent. (Keesing’s Contemporary Archives 1946-48 Vol VI, p 7695). This article had done great havoc to Indian shipping costing our nation billions of extra money by way of fuel imports, in view of shelving of the Tenth Degree Canal project with the imposition of a condition in this Peace Treaty. It has also blocked the economic prosperity of Thailand and held up the development process by half a century and more.

Hence Dravida Peravai urges the Government of India and Government of Thailand to look into the unfavorable condition imposed by a colonial rule, that too at the threshold of a defeat in Second World War II on Thailand, an ally of Japan. It is in the interests of India and Thailand that a Canal be cut across the Isthmus of Kra where the isthmus narrows to just 75 miles and to develop this canal vigorously so that a detour of 1500 nautical miles down the Malayan Coast via the Straits of Malacca and up the Gulf of Thailand in the South China Sea is avoided.

The proposed Tenth Degree Canal will be an extension of the Tenth Degree channel in between Andaman and Nicobar islands. The opening of Tenth Degree canal will result is saving millions of tons of fuel foe world shipping. The Tenth Degree canal reduces the importance of other major canals of the world namely Suez Canal and Panama Canal. The Tenth Degree Canal would develop Andaman & Nicobar Islands and bring prosperity to its economy. The opening of this canal will also benefit the Indian East Coast Ports like Haldia, Paradeep, Visakapatinam, Chennai and Tuticurin.

There are more than 138 minor and intermediary ports under the control of various state governments in India. If Indian Government creates a National Seaway Authority and permits private sector vessels to transport cargo and passengers connecting all Indian Ports, these 138 minor and intermediary Ports, which mostly are inoperable, will be busting with activity and the opening up of the Tenth Degree Canal by Thailand will also improve its share in international trade and access to Indian market. The completion of Sethu samudram Project along with the Tenth Degree canal Project, will give a boost to Indian coastal shipping, cargo shipping and major boost to Indian and Thailand’s economy. The Tenth degree Canal will boost the economies of SAARC and ASEAN nations. 

The savings in fuel will be so great for Japan, and it may fund this project. India and China too would benefit with this Canal, and this will boost bilateral trade. The Tenth Degree Canal reduces the cost of shipping for the nations of the Pacific rim of Asia.

The Indian Prime Ministers vision to look towards East is laudable and the Free Trade Agreements India signing with its neighbours is a right step in the right direction, as world is moving towards regional blocks and common markets, Dravida Peravai urges both India and Thailand to foster their economic cooperation with speedy construction of Tenth Degree Canal as a Indo Thailand joint venture to open a New Seaway to East. Economists like Dominic Wilson and Roopa Purushothaman an alumnus of London School of Economics have in their joint report predicted that Brazil, Russia, India and China could become a powerful economic block like G-6 nations and will race ahead of developed nations by 2050. It will be appropriate to have a common Asian Market and A Common Asian currency for the resurgence of the economies of the Asian block, and by launching schemes with foresight both India and Thailand along with other neighbouring countries must set the agenda for changing their economies into one common market with a common currency.

The proposed land bridge between Thailand and Andaman is not necessary and instead the cutting of a canal right east from Andaman will be the easiest and best way to open a New Sea Way to South China Seas and EAST. India at the moment is planning a transshipment harbour in Indira point, the last island in our border, and this too could get a boost with the construction of Tenth Degree canal. There may be some voices of concern in environment angle, but such opposition will also be there for the land bridge mooted by the Thailand Government. Even for Sethu Samudram Project there was opposition and the National environment Research Institute had countered it in its report. For interlinking of rivers too there will voices against it here and there, but over all societal concerns must prevail. Nuclear tests are taking place amidst environmental caution, and in places where Tsunami, i.e. killer waves that rise from ocean floor and swallow towns is common as in Hawaii and Japanese regions harbours do exist and have come up. So it will not be an economically and environmentally unsound proposition to construct 10 Th Degree Canal and name it as THAMIZHAN CANAL.

RESULTS OF REFERENDUM FOR TAMIL EELAM IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES : 2010

BRITAIN: REFERENDUM FOR TAMIL EELAM

Tamil Net, Monday, 01 February 2010, 01:09 GMT reports that 99.33 percent British Tamils aspire Tamil Eelam. In an unprecedented turnout that brought 64,692 Eelam Tamils to vote in the referendum held last weekend in UK, 64,256 (99.33%) Tamils endorsed the formation of independent and  sovereign state of Tamil Eelam in the contiguous north and east of the island of Sri Lanka. 185 (0.29%) voted against and 251 (0.39%) votes were spoilt. Polling took place in sixty-five booths across London and in major towns and cities throughout UK. Barry Gardner, MP Brent North Siobhan Mc Donagh, MP [Mitcham and Morden ]Professor Bryan Woodruff, Chairman of the overseeing body of the referendum Labour party activist and trade unionist Mike Griffiths were present.

The referendum was initiated by an independent group of British Tamils, who formed a body called Tamil National Council (TNC) a few months ago for this purpose. All main stakeholders of Eelam Tamil nationalism in UK, Tamil Youth Organization (TYO), British Tamils Forum (BTF), Tamil Eelam Activists and the Country Working Group - UK for the formation of Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) joined in making the endeavor a success.

"British-based Tamils have voted overwhelmingly in favor of the creation of an independent sovereign state in Sri Lanka, days after the man credited with crushing the Tamil Tiger’s 26-year rebellion won a second term as the island's president," reported leading British newspaper Guardian on Monday. Meanwhile, BBC reported that an overwhelming majority among the Tamil Diaspora in UK has endorsed the call for a separate country for the Tamils in Sri Lanka. "The results of last week's poll demonstrate the gulf between Sri Lanka's Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority. Despite a resounding victory across much of the country Rajapaksa lost in areas hit hard by war and where Tamils are in the majority," the newspaper said. BBC, in its report said that people have been discussing the results in restaurants and community centers in London suburbs where Sri Lankan Tamils form considerable communities, such as East Ham and Wembley. On Sunday, Times Online carried an article by Stuart Cosgrove, saying Tamils are the undisputed world champions of Diaspora politics, who defy a new world order on the epic stage of global politics.

GERMANY

Tamil Net, Sunday, 24 January 2010, 23:00 GMT reported Overwhelming turnout of voters in Germany, 99.2 percent of voters said yes to Tamil Eelam in an impressive turn out of more than 90% of eligible Eelam Tamil voters for the referendum in Germany on Sunday. International Human Rights Association in Bremen conducted the referendum on the question of forming an independent and sovereign state of Tamil Eelam in the North and East of the island of Sri Lanka. 23,089 voters participated in the poll in 110 centers across the country and 22,904 of them said yes. 136 voters said no and 49 votes were invalid.

NORWAY

 [Tamil Net, Monday, 11 May 2009, 10:51 GMT] reported that in a secret  ballot of universal suffrage, conducted by a Norwegian media simultaneously in 14 centers in the length and breath of the country among Eelam Tamils, 98.95 percent of the voters said that they aspire for the formation of an independent and sovereign Tamil Eelam in the North and East of the island of Sri Lanka. The voter turn out was a high 89.8 percent in the capital city of Oslo and an average 80 percent for the country, Strop biweekly that conducted the ballot said. The ballot gains significance not only in democratically and concretely revealing what the Tamils want, but also in telling that the so-called Oslo Declaration that speaks about internal self- determination is not up to their expectations, Tamil circles said. A couple of days before the ballot, Norwegian Minister Erik Solheim advocated a federal solution to the crisis.

DENMARK

[Tamil Net, Friday, 26 February 2010, 20:06 GMT] Denmark went for Tamil referendum and Eelam Tamils in Denmark cast their ballot in 32 centers across the country in a referendum on the question of independent and sovereign Tamil Eelam in the North and East of the island of Sri Lanka. The referendum conducted by a professional institute TNS Gallup, specialized in sociological and public opinion research services, deploying electronic system for confidential voting, said Dr. Remmon Washington, the spokesperson of the Denmark Tamils Forum formation committee, which has initiated the poll. The total number of eligible Eelam Tamil voters in Denmark is estimated to be ranging around 6,500.

RIGHT TO SELF DETERMINATION

 These referendums are an indication affirming the Tamils of Eelam  are for the right of Self-determination and the world cannot deny that right only to Tamil people of Eelam. “All peoples have the right to self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. Essentially, the right to self-determination is the right of a people to determine its own destiny. In particular, the  principle allows a people to choose its own political status and to determine its own form of economic, cultural and social development. Exercise of this right can result in a variety of different outcomes ranging from political independence through to full integration within a state. The importance lies in the right of choice, so that the outcome of a people's choice should not affect the existence of the right to make a choice. In practice, however, the possible outcome of an exercise of self-determination will often determine the attitude of governments towards the actual claim by a people or nation. Thus, while claims to cultural autonomy may be more readily recognized by states, claims to independence are more likely to be rejected by them. Nevertheless, the right to self-determination is recognized in international law as a right of process (not of outcome) belonging to peoples and not to states or governments.” As put by UNPO.

UNREPRESENTED NATIONS AND 

PEOPLES ORGANIZATION.

 You may be pondering on various options to resolve Tamil Eelam issue. Please keep the geopolitical interests at bay. With open heart please recall how Western nations acted in similar circumstances. Britain had faced Irish problem. Canada had met Quebec issue. India too faces Kashmir question. Why not Britain and Canada look for comparisons between their past problems and present problem of Tamil Eelam.? India has a special constitutional provision for Kashmir i.e. article 370, why India fails to understand that for sixty years Srilanka is not even willing to emulate Indian constitutional provision for Tamil Eelam?

Self-determination in International Law

The principle of self-determination is prominently embodied in Article I of the Charter of the United Nations. Earlier it was explicitly embraced by US President Woodrow Wilson, by Lenin and others, and became the guiding principle for the reconstruction of Europe following World War I. The principle was incorporated into the 1941 Atlantic Charter and the Dumbarton Oaks proposals which evolved into the United Nations Charter. Its inclusion in the UN Charter marks the universal recognition of the principle as fundamental to the maintenance of friendly relations and peace among states. It is recognized as a right of all peoples in the first article common to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which both entered into force in 1976. 1 Paragraph 1 of this Article provides:

All peoples have the right to self- determination. By virtue  of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

The right to self-determination of peoples is recognized in many other  international and regional instruments, including

►the Declaration of Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States adopted b the UN General Assembly in 1970,

► 2, the Helsinki Final Act adopted by the Conference on Security and Co- operation in Europe (CSCE) in 1975,

►3, the African Charter of Human and Peoples' Rights of 1981,

► 4, the CSCE Charter of Paris for a New Europe adopted in 1990,

► 5, and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action of 1993.

►6, It has been affirmed by the International Court of Justice in the Namibia case

►7, the Western Sahara case

► 8, and the East Timor case

►9, in which its erga omnes character was confirmed. Furthermore, the scope and content of the right to self-determination has been elaborated upon by the UN Human Rights Committee

►10, and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

►11 and numerous leading international jurists. That the right to self- determination is part of so called hard law has been affirmed also by the International Meeting of Experts for the Elucidation of the Concepts of Rights of Peoples brought together by UNESCO from 1985 to 1991,

► 12, it came to the conclusion that (1) peoples' rights are recognized in international law; (2) the list of such rights is not very clear, but also that (3) hard law does in any event include the right to self-determination and the right to existence, in the sense of the Genocide Convention.

“The inclusion of the right to self-determination in the International Covenants on Human Rights and in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, referred to above, emphasizes that self-determination is an integral part of human rights law which has a universal application. At the same time, it is recognized that compliance with the right of self-determination is a fundamental condition for the enjoyment of other human rights and fundamental freedoms, be they civil, political, economic, social or cultural.” “The concept of self-determination is a very powerful one. As Wolfgang Danspeckgruber put it: "No other concept is as powerful, visceral, emotional, unruly, as steep in creating aspirations and hopes as self-determination." It evokes emotions, expectations and fears which often lead to conflict and bloodshed. Some experts argued that the title holders should be or are limited in international law. Others believed in the need to limit the possible outcome for all or categories of title holders. Ultimately, the best approach is to view the right to self-determination in its broad sense, as a process providing a wide range of possible outcomes dependent on the situations, needs, interests and conditions of concerned parties. The principle and fundamental right to self- determination of all peoples is firmly established in international law.”

Hence under International Law, Tamils have this right, if you include Tamils in human race. If Tamils are living human beings on Earth, they can have this right by virtue of their existence. Srilankan President Rajapakshe who committed genocide by killing 50000 Tamils in War must continue to kill every Tamil in Eelam and all in Tamil Diaspora and every Tamil of Tamilnadu before he can proclaim to the Member Nations of the United Nations, that since he has erased the existence of all Tamils on Earth, the right to self determination cannot be claimed by dead souls. Only living humans have such right, he must thunder before the world. Until such thing happens, as leaders of democracies and civilized world, we hope all leaders of member nations of United Nations will not snatch the right to self determination from the hands of Tamils of Eelam.

UN General Assembly adopts the Declaration in September 2007

 With an overwhelming majority of 143 votes in favour, only 4 negative votes cast (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United States) and 11 abstentions, the United Nations General Assembly (GA) adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on September 13, 2007. The Declaration has been negotiated through more than 20 years between nation-states and Indigenous Peoples. Les Malezer, Chair of the International Indigenous Peoples' Caucus, welcomed the adoption of the Declaration in a statement to the General Assembly: "The Declaration does not represent solely the viewpoint of the United Nations, nor does it represent solely the viewpoint of the Indigenous Peoples. It is a Declaration which combines our views and interests and which set the framework for the future. It is a tool for peace and justice, based upon mutual recognition and mutual respect." Tamils are indigenous people of Srilanka. As told by the sacred book of Sinhalese Mahavamsam, the first Sinhalese king set his foot on Ceylon where Tamils lived much before his advent.

UNPO  members  :Abkhazia  ,  Aboriginals  of  Australia  ,Afrikaner  ,Ahwazi

,Assyria ,Balochistan ,Batwa ,Burma ,Buryatia ,Cabinda ,Chechen Republic of Ichkeria  ,Chin  Chittagong Hill  Tracts  ,Circassia  ,Cordillera  ,Crimean Tatars ,East   Turkestan   ,Gilgit   Baltistan   ,Greek   Minority   in   Albania   ,  Hmong ,Hungarian  Minority  in  Romania  ,Inkeri  ,Inner  Mongolia,  Iranian  Kurdistan ,Iraqi Kurdistan  ,Iraqi Turkmen  ,Kalahui Hawaii  ,Karenni State  ,Khmer Krom

,Kosova ,Maasai ,Mapuche, Mon ,Montagnards – Degar, Nagalim ,Ogaden , Ogoni , Oromo ,Rehoboth Basters ,Sanjak ,Scania ,Sindh ,Somaliland ,South Moluccas             ,Southern   Azerbaijan                     ,Southern  Cameroons  ,Taiwan       ,Tibet

,Tsimshian ,Tuva ,Udmurt ,Vhavenda ,West Balochistan ,Zanzibar .

TAMILS OF EELAM must be included in the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization. Tamils are most civilized among the indigenous people possessing a classical language, which had a hoary past.

ORPHANS UNDER OWN GOVERNMENT : TAMIL FISHERMEN

REGAIN KACHACHA THEEVU

TO SAVE OUR FISHER FOLK

The New Indian Express dated 17th November 2011 in its front page carried a report from Madurai the title of which was BAN FISHING IN PALK STRAITS: COAST GUARD. Indian Coast Guard recommended declaring India-Srilanka International Maritime boundary line a No Fishing Zone in an affidavit filed in Madurai branch of Madras High Court.

On October 14 of 2011, the court hearing a public interest litigation filed by Advocate Stalin seeking protection for Indian fishermen, had passed an interim order directing the Coast Guard to deploy sufficient coast vessels under the supervision of senior Indian navy officials. In response to that PIL Coast Guard came out with such a suggestion which even a nincompoop won’t suggest. Protests by Tamilnadu Chief Minister Ms.J.Jayalalitha led to the Central Government directing Coast Guard to withdraw that foolish affidavit.

The only solution to stop everyday massacre and harassment of our fishermen is to redraw the maritime boundary between India-Srilanka and the issue should go before International Tribunal of the Law of Seas.

In a long drawn process through four conventions covering high seas, territorial seas, continental shelf and living marine resources which began in 1958, United Nations Organization had strived to evolve consensus which ended in U.N.O mooting out International Law of Seas 1982. It was ratified by India in 1995.

As per article76 of the International Law of Seas 1982 " The coastal state shall establish the outer edge of the continental margin wherever the same extends beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. On the submarine ridges, the continental shelf's outer limit shall not exceed 350 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the sea is measured."

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS PROVISION INDIA SHOULD HAVE GAINED 7 to 9 LAKH SQUARE KILOMETERS. But in negotiating to extend this exclusive economic zone India got another chance to regain Kachcha Theevu but faltered and missed the chance.

 The so called rights of Indian fishermen were never honoured and the Government of India must place a white paper in Indian Parliament on the merciless shootings and killings of fishermen by Srilankan navy. This assumes importance in the wake of Director of Border Security Management under External Affairs Ministry filing another affidavit in January 2012 in same court stating NO FISHERMEN WAS ATTACKED by Srilankan navy and Government of India has no proof of such occurrences. Daily newspaper reports have been reporting such attacks almost regularly, and a Government of India official has the audacity to tell a brazen lie before Madurai branch of Madras High Court. It is because our Members of Parliament irrespective of political affiliations have failed to echo Tamilnadu’s voice in Parliament. Hence in past the poets of Puducherry even organized a street corner poet’s symposium to awaken our Members of Parliament from slumber.

The new boundaries as per International Law of Seas 1982 must be redrawn and India should take care to get back Kachcha theevu. Without wasting time Indian Government must take this issue to the International Tribunal of the Law of Seas under United Nations for re-demarcating our territorial waters.

N.Nandhivarman General Secretary Dravida Peravai

MANMOHANOMICS & MODINOMICS IN SAME PATH

PEOPLE WILL OPPOSE IF INDIA IS SOLD IN WHOLESALE

MANMOHAN DECIDES TO SELL INDIA IN RETAIL

Sardar Vallababhai Patel, the first Indian Home Minister in Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet with great difficulty achieved the almost impossible task of bringing princely states into Indian Union. But now move is in reverse gear. Competition between multi-national corporations of various countries is for breaking India into smaller states subsequently into city states so that they can have monopoly over that region. LTTE leader Prabakaran would have won Tamil Eelam if he had offered Trincomalea to an USA company or had offered the oil fields near in Palk Straits to Oil giants. The death of nation states had begun, and cross border rule by corporate to exploit the mankind had come to stay.

The puppeteer’s abroad pull the strings and puppet Manmohan Singh had started his dance to the tunes of corporate world. The decision to allow 51% foreign direct investment is necessitated not by national interests but by multi-national interests.

Indian retail market is worth $ 28 billion dollars today. Yes it is estimated at 1.26 lakh crore, of course less than 2G level. It will grow to $ 260 billion by 2020. The process started when India allowed 51% FDI in single brand retail in 2010. There are few in Indian capitalists who could welcome FDI. Who are they and why do they welcome? Those Indian capitalists who can partner with a multinational corporation are welcoming this move. 51 % to foreign investor and he can be our master and we with 49 percent be his servant, these selfish Indian chameleons welcome FDI.

Already United States agriculture commodities giants Archer Daniels Midland and Cargill have acquired stakes in Indian edible oil market. India’s annual edible oil consumption is approximately 15 million tons worth around 75000 crores annually and increasing, so multinationals want to grab this market. Multinational companies are sneaking into meat products market both in India and China. World’s largest commodity trader Glencore International AG is planning to buy Indian sick company KS Oils limited and before that happened Goldman Sachs Fund- Goldman Sachs Investment Limited Mauritius bought 21.46 lakh shares of KS Oils for Rs10.92 per share. Glencore is mining and commodities conglomerate. It controls 10 percent of world’s tradable grain market. It controls 3 % of world’s oil market.

Since this week we hear heated arguments for Periyar Dam, my mind goes back to 2002. Then Kerala Government wanted to sell water in malampuzha dam to London based multinational Vivendi. The waters of Periyar dam to be sold to a London based multinational. Then Opposition Leader V.S.Achudanandan had charged that “under the agreement with multinational companies 80 percent of water of Malampuzha dam would be used by the company and no water would be spared to agriculture.” We are not aware in Tamilnadu on what happened to this River Water sale to multi-national companies but this alert by then Opposition leader indicates the conspiracies of multi-national companies for quite some time since GATT was signed in last century. Reasonable doubt arises whether to pursue this Water Sale to Multinationals, current Government wants to construct new dam over mullai-periyar.

The World Bank puppet Manmohan Singh’s government gave China a boost in October 2011. The Government decided to allow corporate raise external borrowing in Yuan equivalent to $1billion .First time India recognized Chinese currency as acceptable currency without even demanding that China should give equal acceptance and recognition to Indian rupee in bi-lateral trade. Great Economists like Manmohan Singh and Pranab Mukerjee are for facilitating all demands of Indian capitalist class. Ok, let me tell you which Indian company would benefit by this decision. Anil Dirubai Ambani Group of 2G connections, Reliance Power and Lanco Infratech would stand to benefit.

International commerce and forex market is dominated by Dollar, Euro, and Pound Sterling and what made India elevate Chinese Yuan to that level, without thinking about our own currency?

Dollar and Euro almost represent world currencies. World finance reserves up to 65% are in dollar and Euro holds 25%, such being the case why India wants to carry Chinese Yuan on its shoulders to elevate its status for benefitting few Indian companies?

Time for common global currency had arrived. If globe is one village it should have one common currency. You are accepting kilo and tons for weight and liter for liquids, why not a common currency? Who prevents it?

TERRA which is equivalent to 30% of gold, 2 kilo of grains, 200 gram of meat, 1 litre of wine,3 kg of steel,200g of cotton and wool, 200g of copper, 10kwh of electricity and half hour of labour is the common currency of future. Accepting such common currency would eliminate transaction costs related to trading of currencies. It would do away with the need to maintain forex reserves. It will do away with currency risk benefitting foreign investors.  More than that it will definitely eliminate the chance of currency failure which would make foreign investment decisions much easier in emerging economies.

Economists opine that such a country would in one go eliminate the problem of current account deficit as there would be no need for foreign exchange. Loss of national monetary policy would imply single interest rate, say scholars.

Instead of working towards global common currency Manmohan Singh sings praises for Chinese Yuan, it is unpatriotic and unnecessary in current times when world should move towards Terra, single common currency.

Tamil mathematics would calculate one out of  eight lakh fraction as least denomination per Kanakathigaram, Tamil classic of Sangam age about which my book Tamil Civilization carries an article. We are calculated in our steps, as Anna told, we know our height. But your government is faltering in its steps.

Hence Tamils have right to advice Manmohan Singnomics is not good. A politician should know something about everything and everything about something, our leader Aringnar Anna had defined a politician. Give up your China-mania; go for Indian equal supremacy in global politics.

N.Nandhivarman General Secretary Dravida Peravai   26.11.2011

EELAM THE ROAD AHEAD : PRIOR TO CIVIL WAR N.NANDHIVARMAN

EELAM THE ROAD AHEAD

 N.Nandhivarman General Secretary Dravida Peravai, Pondicherry, India in an exclusive interview to TamilBrisbane.com 

  1.Question: News reports state that Government of India had sent some proposals to Srilankan Government for devolution of powers to States on the model of Indian experience at the behest of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Kalaignar M.Karunanithi’s initiative. What is your opinion?

q  N.Nandhivarman: If my memory is correct the advocacy of state autonomy is a brainchild of Thamizh Arasu Kazhagam leader M.P.Sivagnanam. In the aftermath of Chinese aggression in 1962 Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam led by Aringnar Anna gave up the demand for separate Dravida Nadu and subscribed to state autonomy. In pursuance of this goal within the parameters of Indian Constitution, The Government of Tamil Nadu headed by Kalaignar M.Karunanithi constituted P.V.Rajamannar Committee to study autonomy proposals, I think in 1969. On this committee’s report DMK constituted an inner party committee headed by Murasoli Maran and Era.Chezhian, both then Members of Parliament? At Anna Nagar, in 1970 DMK organized a State Autonomy Conference headed by then Chief Minister Kalaignar M.Karunanithi. Thirty-six years have gone since I as Student DMK leader handed over the State Autonomy Torch in the hands of Kalaignar M.Karunanithi at that conference. Later Sarkaria Commission recommended various measures in furtherance of state autonomy demand. Murasoli Maran’s book on State Autonomy must be read and compared with the practice prevailing in India. State Autonomy still is a mirage we are chasing and we are suggesting that such a mirage will quench the thirst of Eelam people.

q  In four decades what we in India had achieved for our States by way of autonomy? Article 356, which empowers Indian Union Government to dismiss State Governments, hangs over the head of every state Chief Minister. Even DMK for no valid reason was dismissed twice misusing this provision. Shall I humbly ask Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to touch his conscience and say whether the autonomy Indian states have will satisfy Eelam Tamils? Or whether it is a worthy end after sacrificing 70,000 Tamil lives in a civil war continuing for decades?

q  Scholars opine what we have in India is “Asymmetric Federalism in India” M.Govinda Rao and Nirvikar Singh in a publication by University of California focus on unequal arrangements and special treatment for some units within Indian federalism. These scholars analyze the causes and consequences of asymmetric federalism. Article 370, which gives special powers to Jammu and Kashmir, is an example of asymmetric federalism. The asymmetric arrangements in political, administrative and fiscal relations, asymmetric arrangements arising from constitutional arrangements or conventions evolved over the years and asymmetric treatment due to administrative and political exigencies are also analyzed in that treatise. When we have asymmetric federalism, is it correct to offer our model as a solution to Srilanka? I want to ask Indian experts who have now let the cat out of the bag, as if it is a new formula to solve Eelam ethnic crisis.

2.Question: What efforts you and your party made in suggesting to resolve this conflict?

N.Nandhivarman: We brought out a White paper on Srilankan Ethnic Conflict and on What India should do towards conflict resolution on 9 th  May 2000. I presided over the seminar. Tamil Maanila Congress Vice President Balaji Ex MLA, Vice President of PMK Thiru.P.Sankaran, Pondicherry PMK Convener M.Manjini Ex MLA, Senthamizhar Iyakkam President N.M.Thamizh Mani, Meenavar Vidhuthalai Vengaikal Convener R.Mangayarselvan, Samata Party State President J.C.Manja, Freedom fighter D.K.Ramanujam Ex MLA, MDMK State Convener S.Muthu Ex MLA, Janata Dal [Secular] State President M.Elango Ex MLA, Professor Muthu Gunesekaran and Professor Lenin Thangappa participated in that open debate on what India should do. It was widely reported in all newspapers.

In that white paper we said: We have been hearing parrot like repetitive statements from policy framers of this country that a political solution within the frame work of a unified nation is alone the only panacea available to resolve the conflict between freedom fighters of Tamil Eelam and the oppressive Sinhalese regime of Srilanka. We must go back in our memory lane to find out what happened to 1] The Bandaranaike-SVJ Selvanayagam Pact of 1957 2] Dudley Senanaike-SVJ Selvanayagam Pact of 1965 3] Indo-Srilanka Accord 4] 13 th Amendment to Lankan Constitution in 1987 5] The Democratic People Alliance proposals of 1988 6] The interim report of Mangala Moonesinghe Parliamentary Select Committee of 1992 7] The Gamini Dissanayake proposals contained in the UNP Manifesto of 1994 8} Draft proposals by Chandrika Government etc.

Twenty-three initiatives between 1957 and 2000 had failed to yield any result. Yet Indian bureaucracy is trying to mislead the Government that political solution is possible within the unitary Constitution of Srilanka. India that cannot resolve Kashmir issue or for that matter the question of sub-nationalism in India is now gearing itself to commit another faux pas in its foreign policy.

This we told in our White Paper in 2000. Situation is back to square one. Once again India advocates what in past had failed to resolve the crisis.

3.Question: What do you think will resolve the ethnic conflict?

N.Nandhivarman: Well in our white papers concluding remark we stated “ Even in matrimony if necessary divorce is one way of conflict resolution accepted in civilized societies.” When both ethnic communities could not live together, divorce is the best option.

4.Question: A separate Eelam will be against India’s geo-political interests, it is being argued. What would you like to say?

N.Nandhivarman: The geo-political compulsions and theories woven around such out of tune policies have lost their meaning and relevance in these days of globalization. The geo-political compulsion that compelled India to create Bangladesh had not served Indian interests anyway. Sharing of river waters with Bangladesh is still a thorny issue. Some of our enclaves are even now within Bangladesh and Bangladesh has its enclaves within Indian Territory. This minor territorial adjustment itself could not be accomplished with Bangladesh, which India helped to create. This does not mean it will be same with Eelam. I am only saying humoring Srilanka will not further our geo-political interest. Every nation has its own interest and there will be clash in interest whether it is with Eelam or Unitary Srilanka.

5.Question: What India should do?

N.Nandhivarman: New Zealand had shown the way. It sought United Nation intervention to decide about the future of its last colony. This year people of Atoll of Atafu and other tiny islands exercised their franchise to free themselves from colonial rule. If around 644 persons could use ballot boxes to reach road towards freedom, why not India, Norway and other countries urge for United Nations sponsored referendum to decide the future of the people of Tamil Eelam. The referendum whether people want to live under unitary Srilanka or under separate Eelam must be held under the aegis of United Nations and the decision of the people accepted.

6.Question: Why everyone asks what India should do? Do you think world bodies like United Nations have nothing to do?

N.Nandhivarman: United Nations must accord same status, which they accorded to Palestine Liberation organization to the freedom fighters of Tamil Eelam. Observer status in United Nations for the representatives of Tamil Eelam is inevitable, essential to take Tamils into confidence towards finding a lasting solution to the ethnic divide and resultant demand for homelands.

7.Question: What help India should do to the refugees and people stranded in Tamil Eelam ?

N.Nandhivarman: Less than 10,000 people had reached Indian shores that too paying huge amount to get a lift to shores of safety. Unable to afford, 150000 people are homeless uprooted from their homes and are refugees in their own soil. India must seek United Nations help to send Peace ships to Tamil Eelam areas to ferry refugees to safety in Indian shores. All refugee camps must be brought under United Nations Commissioner for Refugees or International Red Cross. United Nations sponsored International Red Cross ships must be kept ready to give all treatment to the wounded civilians, freedom fighters and anyone caught in the cross fire.

8.Question: Your plans for a Eye Opening Seminar on Indian policies towards Eelam Struggle seems to be running into rough weather?

N.Nandhivarman: Venue and other hurdles posed by overenthusiastic bureaucracy will not deter us in opening a public debate in North India about India’s foreign policy. It is our view that for a true democracy to flourish wider public debate is need of the hour. For lack of quorum many important debates in Indian Parliament has few to contribute by way of inputs in ideas, hence people-debating issues is healthy sign.

9.Question: Tamil Nadu Parliament Members can play effective role in highlighting Tamils issues, why they are lagging behind?

N.Nandhivarman: John F.Kennedy won Pulitzer Prize for his book Profiles in Courage, which lists out Parliamentarians who spoke against racial discrimination. Our Parliament members try to write their profiles in courage and for that must seek more freedom from their party bosses. At least on the line taken in Tamil Nadu assembly, The Tamil Nadu Parliament members can echo the feelings of Tamil people.

[ Interviewed by : Thiru N.J.Karthikeyan B.A.B.Ed, B.L  Former Sub-Editor: SUN NEWS Tamil Chennai]