Tuesday, May 19

Looking Back Before Going Forward...



Yesterday my motherland Sri Lanka proclaimed that the 30yr long war was finally over! That the LTTE had been destroyed to the core and it's leader gunned down. While most Sri Lankans around the world are 'celebrating' this defining moment in history, I'm not sure if I can 'celebrate' a bloodbath. So many lives were taken, so many people left destitute, so many kids orphaned, so much of bloodshed and tears. I myself lost 2 uncles who were in the forces, and so many others lost their loved-ones in this awfully long and draining battle. I don't know if I can rejoice a bloodbath. For I cannot find a 'happy' piece among the million shattered pieces of so many lives. I really don't believe that we can find Peace among so much of Violence. It is hard for me to look at the sad faces of scores of innocents in camps, dead bodies, destruction, rivers of blood and tears, and say 'hey I celebrate this day'. I'm sorry my fellowmen I cannot do that somehow. I'm far away from the real situation in SL and it is not my nature to just go with what everyone is doing...I just stop and think before I do something. To me, a celebration means a happy moment, far from death and violence, be it for any purpose. Though I'm relieved that this may be the beginning of a fresh era for my country, I don't see any reason to dance about a war that deprived so many people of their lives and dreams.


So, today is a day that I look back. Looking back is important before we rush forward. It is important to remember the ruins, the ashes, the blood and the tears that carved the path for TODAY to arrive. So, I just want to remember my 2 dearest uncles and all those men and women who laid down their lives for us to have this day. I just want to remember all those innocents who died in countless suicide attacks all around the country over so many years. I just want to remember all those innocent civilians and children that had no opinion whatsoever on this war who had their lives altered forever. I just want to remember those who were forced to shutup and die just cos they were at the wrong place at the wrong time. I just want to remember those who were deprived of their basic human rights and human equality just cos they were born into a Tamil/Sinhalese family. I just want to remember those innocent Tamil youth who were mislead by the LTTE and had their lives destroyed for nothing. I just want to remember all the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for us to have this day. The truth is it didn't even have to get to this if people knew what Tolerance, Respect and Humanity were. I just want to remember each and everyone who is not here today (both Tamil and Sinhalese), only because they paved a path for us to see this day at the cost of their own lives. We know not what we do...but I shall always remember you. Today I don't want to CELEBRATE, I just want to REMEMBER.




Current Music: Sathyam Shivam Sundaram (Hindi bhajan)

128 Cranium Signets:

Srinivas said...

Peace !!! Prosperity needs to be celebrated in Srilanka...Let there be peace, and let the country develop with equal rights to the existing tamils..

Toon Indian said...

Very true Keshi..any war begins and ends with a lot of bloodbath..but hopefully now peace will prevail, Prabhakaran ,LTTE chief has been proclaimed dead.

Utopia said...

I know what you mean. Yesterday everybody was rejoicing over Prabhakaran's death but I was wondering what now? What about the seeds of disparity he sowed?

Cazzie!!! said...

Forgetting is not what people need to do, remembering is important on all levels, in order t heal. you are right Keshi!

Priya Joyce said...

yes dear..It's not a moment to celebrate...i think it a moment to feel better..that at least this might mark an end to all this :)

hope is still high.ahhh!!

ps:) Keshi ur blog isn't updatin on my follower list..:(

Nikhil Menon said...

Very true sista.. I couldn't understand what was happening wen the media were showing ppl running around in Colombo,all joy celebrating the downfall of the LTTE??I mean,how did they find happiness when estimates claimed a lakh had been killed?? :(

And right now,am really confused how should I regard the slain leader as??--a war hero as people here in TN say or a the leader of the world's most dreaded organization?? am really confused..

Btw,I know its real bad timing,but do check out my blog for I've something for you there on the post dated 19th may..

Take care..

this is indeed a day to remember for humanity the world over..and stand by you in this moment of grief..

Nikhil

venuss66 said...

I am with you Keshi.
I pray that it will be a new beginning of peace.

Priya said...

More than peace its stability what everybody shud think for the good. Sigh...

Vishesh said...

peace! let us hope the world is a better place to live ...

Anonymous said...

we may not celebrate but we can move forward from here, right?

peace :)

Anya said...

and a small government took a bold step even after pressures from all corners and nations tried to stop their actions...

brave effort..

let peace exist from now on..

chriz

Maddy said...

Keshigirl,

One simple sentence...I admire you

Suresh Kumar said...

War and its haunting images! How can anyone celebrate its outcome....

Here in India... Tamil Politicians were using the plight of the tamilians for their vote banks.... War and Politicians.... Both sucks...

I hope that from now onwards, peace prevails in Sri Lanka....

Adisha said...

So true. When I heard the news , I too thought, what a sad state the world has come to. Today morning, I read a quote " The world cannot have peace as long as the hearts of the people remain the way they are ".

My heart goes out to the people who aren't here today and those that are left behind with the memories !!

Rakesh Vanamali said...

While I agree that war is no solution, it is needed to bring about a sense of order in a failing and oppressed social system!

I'm very happy that the Lankan army has managed to score victory over elements that have plagued this wonderful nation for such a long time.

Taking up a peoples' cause does not need one to embrace violence, Mahatma Gandhi being a shining example!

I wish the Sri Lankan people a period of peace and prosperity to come, when they shall flourish and begin building a strong society which is inclusive of all communities alike, in representation and rights!

Talking To My Soul said...

Kesh dear.

Let's just hope peace find its way back in Sri Lanka. Sometimes, it's difficult not to take sides. True, there was no need for this 30 year long battle but ideological war (sometimes ideologies seem grossly unfounded though) have always been like that. When ethnicity is at its root, it can be calamitous. History is testimony to it. The end had to be gory and it is. Half of India is in the grip of Left Wing extremism and it's growing radically. So, we all know what the future has in store.

I pray there will be peace and prosperity in your motherland. God bless you all.

*smilez*

rayshma said...

very thoughtful post, keshi.

wars are never a cause for celebration... not when they begin, not when they end. we can only hope we learn from them and r'ber the learnings. and hopefully, succeed in maintaining the peace.
we can always hope. that that, will, happen.

La vida Loca said...

Yes, we need to remember the innocents and the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for us. I hope that we can remember the lessons too so that the sacrifice will not be in vain.

Prashanti :) said...

Very true kesh !!! A country should never forget the sacrifice of those who lay their lives for her.
Even though Prabhakaran is dead, his thoughts and actions will take a long time to vanish from the minds of the people. Here's to a peaceful SL !!!

Jeevan said...

I agree with you keshi! People have gone through so many conflicts these days and this should never go worthless and its time to think seriously about peace and there true prospect. Looking back is to learn things that went wrong don’t repeat again. Let’s hope for better situation in SL from now.

♪♪Happy Go Lucky♪♪ said...

hmm hmm hm...
im speechless.
i have nothing to say!

Jay said...

Well I'm not expert at all on this. I've read a couple of articles about this, but don't really know anything about it. I do hope that the fighting is really over though. And while never forgetting what happened, I hope that Sri Lanka can move forward towards peace and prosperity.

Unknown said...

I hope all is great at your end dear...I was away for a while:(

War can never bring prosperity but thankfully it has come to an end.Lost lives and broken dreams are sure painful but we can always be optimistic of a pleasant future with peace all around

Hugs>:D<

Anu said...

Being a country neighbor, who understood both sides, Remembering is the right word. All those innocent lives taken should mean something for the survivors. Also I hope that all restrictions due to race or language are now done away with, I pray now for peace

Shachi said...

I echo your sentiments and feelings Keshi.

I hope this deadly ending brings a new hope, a new future which is safe and full of peace!

Commander Zaius said...

I really don't believe that we can find Peace among so much of Violence.
That makes you far more compassionate that many other people who go to church, mosque, or synagogue full of piety and self-righteousness.

It is hard for me to look at the sad faces of scores of innocents in camps, dead bodies, destruction, rivers of blood and tears, and say 'hey I celebrate this day'.
That makes you far more intelligent that many people, including a lot of Americans, for whom beating the drums of war and celebrating victories from the safety of their living room makes them feel alive. Even more you understand that a military victory means nothing. That it is far harder to pick up the pieces for both victor and defeated and somehow bind the wounds and attempt to really begin living again.

I have no real understanding of the causes and justifications of the Tamil bid for a homeland but the Tamil/Sinhalese family will now have to come to some understanding with both giving a little. Its either that or the cycle will repeat itself.

Then again that can be said of all nations and peoples.

Sig said...

Heya Kesh,

I saw that as well and was kinda in two kinds about it. It's a bittersweet victory isn't it??

Evs was more cynbical about the whole thing - he feels that just because they killed the leader doesn't mean the terrorists are dead. And he has a point, but I think that it's a step...

I hate war :(

Devika Jyothi said...

A very timely post, Keshi
and put out well,

"Today I don't want to CELEBRATE, I just want to REMEMBER."

Celebration without remembrance is inhuman...thats how i feel, and I am often taken aback by the Indian youth's celebrations with no sense of history or remembrance

anyway, that could be a bit off-topic here,

Let Love and Peace prevail, in Srilanka, and in every part of the world and human minds....

wishes,
devika

!Teq-uila Del Zapata said...

well said keshi,
there cannot be peace in bloodbath and u can not rejoice in death.
I truly appreciate ur compassion.

SMM said...

Keshi, remember those ho have died in this war but also celebrate for those who will not die anymore.

housands andmaybe more people died in the WW I & II, but that does not mean we didn't celebrate their end. Alot of people died in ur freedom struggle, but we still celebrate 15th August as our Independence Day.

This is a red letter day for Sri Lanka. Agreed thousands have died and many children have become orphans, but isin't it also a moment of joy that the war has finally ended and Sri lanka can now finally move on and get back to peace and rebuilding of the country and ironing away the issues and any potential seeds of dissent.

srijithunni said...

Nice template keshi.. Shows that it's been a long time since i've been here.. sorry about that... A wonderful thought this, to remember, because immediately forgetting this huge price we had to pay for peace even in the small beautiful island nation of Sri Lanka is a message for the entire world.

May there be remembrance and peace.!

Take Care and God Bless!
With Best Regards,
Srijith.

Romeo Morningwood said...

Hi Keshiroo
I desperately wanted to wax boldly on this subject...honest...
but my best-mate-ever Within Without has had a series of ischemic strokes and he is fighting for his life as I write this...
and I already find myself looking back when I should to be looking forward.

Arv said...

God bless :)

♥ÐÅyÐяєÅмє®♥ said...

u should be proud of the fact that they laid down their lives to protect the innocents.....

and I am proud to know u as niece to the great soldiers...my salute to them.....

even there was a bloodbath but seeing the greater good ..there is celebration in these crimson tides too...

love n carez

WarmSunshine said...

It's indeed sad Keshi :(
I wish all the bloodshed had not happened.

May your uncles' soul rest in peace. Same goes for all the innocent people who lost their lives or a loved one. Amen to that!

SaffronSaris said...

I read abt it in the papers. I can't pretend and say I feel your pain, because my uncles did not have the same fate as yours. But it is truely horrifying to read about the number of lives lost to wipe out LTTE.
I just hope the president really means it when he says he will protect the tamils in sri lanka.

Tabitha said...

Its a bitter harsh world out there..Peace is what all of us need!!!
Take care

Rià said...

Yes, u r right in saying that one really cant celebrate. But apart from looking back at the ppl who lost their lives. I also want to feel relieved tht at least now no one will lose their life!!

Kelvy said...

well i do hope that Sri Lanka will see peace from now on atleast...All we can do is hope for the best..

Satish Bolla said...

i don't know whether the death of prabhakaran is for good or bad for sri lanka. let's hope for the best.

meanwhile, the moment i saw this link, i thought u should see it. sorry if u r offended by all those pictures.

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/04/refugees_in_sri_lanka.html

Nachi said...

maybe finally now there is a glimmer of a semblance of peace...

...the celebrations are not meant to forget the past or ignore the suffering of the present. they are but merely there to give us finicky humans hope for a better future...

God bless the people of the Emerald Island with peace for which such a heavy price has been paid.

Richa said...

I understand when u say u dun wanna celebrate, but this is the hopeful end of a disaster..
and hopefully, it brings peace in the world.. whatever happened has happened, and all we can wish for is the future is happy..

Lat the peace prevail!!

LOVE!!

Tarun said...

May peace and love outlive al conflitcs and hatred.

Saim said...

war never brings peace....u r so ryt Keshi!!!

AmitL said...

Hi,Keshi-can thoroughly understand your emotions..in short,the battle is won but not the war. With so many innocents killed or displaced, one can only wonder'was it worth it'?On the other hand,had the militancy gone on the way it had,how many more would have been affected?
---
I guess all I'd say is, I pray for the well-being of all,and,here's hoping that Sri Lanka returns to being what I learnt in Geography textbooks,ages ago-a lovely place,with tea gardens, Kandy,Trincomalee,Colombo.....being the beautiful places which always drew tourists from near and far.

Anonymous said...

Yeah Keshi, completely agree with you. How can there be celebrations! But there can be a relief certainly.

I don't think I can feel what you feel exactly but I think, I can understand.

Tc

AVIANA said...

hi there,

i understand you don't want to celebrate..but you can remember and move forward and celebrate the future....

you can not hold on...celebrate that future dreams will no longer be put on hold...celebrate that lives will not longer be shed.....

this you can do...only if you are willing...

i wish you well...

i apologize for not updating on my blog...i am looking for work....i have only a few weeks left in terms of money...i haven't sung in 3 months....i have to find a job....so sorry for no updates....

i wish you well...but please look forward with a smile....

- Sugar Cube - said...

Its a pyrrhic victory.
Paying tribute to & always remembering the ones who lost their lives is the actual form of celebration after every war that ends.

muthu said...

I just want to see people returning back to their normal lives.

I pray that Tamils will get equal rights and not be again subjugated to suppression.

violence begets violence. It never ends.

LTTE is just the ugly head of what happens when there is a class struggle.

I hope the government does see this and take measures to prevent any more prabakarans in a peaceful way.


Peace.
muthu.

Nirmal said...

very true gal..

Keshi said...

ty Sri!


**Prosperity needs to be celebrated in Srilanka

we r not anywhere close to that 'Prosperity' yet. Right now, we r a struggling post-war nation. So much to be looked at and so many wounds to heal.

So really there's nothing to 'celebrate'. Just a big sigh of relief that the bloodshed is over, HOPEFULLY for good!


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Rahul!

Abt Praba's death, Im not so sure...cos the body looks a lil fake...I dunno, alot of ppl say he may still be alive.

Well whether he's alive or not, the SL govt now needs to sit down and work out a political solution. A military victory doesnt mean the 'problem' is gone.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Utopia!

**What about the seeds of disparity he sowed?

I agree. He wrecked alot of lives. He messed up so many Tamils' lives, including his own. I wonder how and when all those wounds and scars will be healed.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Caz I knew u wud u'stand what I meant!

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Joyce!

**It's not a moment to celebrate...i think it a moment to feel better..

ur spot on! thats what I meant too. But complete healing on all aspects will take a very long time.


btw is my blog updating in ur blogroll now?


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Nikhil!

So many killed, so many lives wrecked, so many kids with lost limbs and no parents...I dunno how I can CELEBRATE that.


** war hero as people here in TN say or a the leader of the world's most dreaded organization?? am really confused

Personally, I dun think Praba is a hero. He's a coward. He messed up so many innocent Tamil youths lives. He played games with ppl's lives...manipulated and mislead them into Terrorism.

No TERRORIST can be a HERO Nikhil.


And ty for ur kindness with all those awards. Im chuffed! :)

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Venus, me too!

Keshi.

Keshi said...

I agree Priya. There needs to be a 'stable' political solution to this problem.

Treating the symptoms and the not cause, wont cure the disease.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

yes Vish I agree. Let us HOPE as much as we can.

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Ki!

**we may not celebrate but we can move forward from here, right?


yes we can move forward, but to be able to do that in a healthy manner, we must remember and respect those who lost so much...those who went thru irrepairable damages to their lives...those who are not here today...those who wont hv an arm or a leg to live the rest of their lives with smiles.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

Chriz I agree, the govt was brave and resilient under severe international pressure, but I wont say it was a clean victory. If u see the pics of kids w.o. limbs who r in 'concentration camps' right now, I cant help thinking that either the govt or the LTTE bombed these kids in the name of wanting to win a battle.

Is it fair on those kids? Not at all!


Keshi.

Keshi said...

Maddy and why is that? :) tnxx anyways!

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Suresh!


**Tamil Politicians were using the plight of the tamilians for their vote banks

Politicians wud do just abt anything to get a vote! How cheap.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Adisha!


**The world cannot have peace as long as the hearts of the people remain the way they are

how true! Thats a beautiful quote.


My 2 uncles r not here today...they gave their lives, left behind their young families and died for this day. I rem them fondly and with alot of respect.

Now how many more families like this must be living out there!


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Rakesh!


**While I agree that war is no solution, it is needed to bring about a sense of order in a failing and oppressed social system!

Sadly I hv to agree with that. But beating the terrorists dun mean the PROBLEM is solved.


I want the SL govt to bring abt real change to it's political system, therefore to the nation.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Soul!

**The end had to be gory and it is

I agree and thats why I say I cant CELEBRATE. :) I cannot rejoice something thats GORY.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Raysh!

yeah, they say Civil war but I dun see anything 'civil' abt war :)


**we can only hope we learn from them and r'ber the learnings

very well-said!

All those ppl who light fire-crackers and dance abt in streets r ppl who feel a sense of relief for being out of terror now. Which is fair enough. But I want those ppl to realise the lessons and not take sides anymore, and build a sense of togetherness for their own good. or else, the problem remains.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Lavida!

**I hope that we can remember the lessons too so that the sacrifice will not be in vain.

thats exactly wut Im saying. Let not 30yrs of bloodshed go in vain!


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Prashanti!


**Even though Prabhakaran is dead, his thoughts and actions will take a long time to vanish from the minds of the people

I agree! The deeds that we do today, may last a lifetime. The terror and fear that Praba inscripted in ppl's minds, the division he initiated, the scars and wounds that are left behind, will indeed take a very long time to heal.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Jeevan and hey very well-said!

**this should never go worthless

Ur spot on. Thats what Im saying too. All this mess and the blood spilled should never go in vain.


Someone lost a parent...someone lost a leg...someone lost his life...someone lost her son...someone lost her home...someone lost his dream...someone lost a child...someone lost everything.


We shall always remember them.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

hey Harini tnxx!

Keshi.

Keshi said...

hey Jay tnxx!

The fighting is over, thats what they say...but Im not sure if the problem is over.



Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Akanksha!

**War can never bring prosperity but thankfully it has come to an end

yes I agree. But this bloody END should lead to a new BEGINNING...if not, the same thing will happen again.

So it's high time the govt looks at the root cause of it all and draft out a REAL political solution soon.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Anu!

I agree with ya...ppl should LEARN from it all and work TOGETHER for a better nation, instead of fighting in rallies and meaningless brawls.

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Shachi!

I hope so too..I'll wait n watch :)


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty BB!


**..many people, including a lot of Americans, for whom beating the drums of war and celebrating victories from the safety of their living room makes them feel alive

I so know wut u mean. There are alot Sri Lankans like that too. I think they do that cos they hv nothing else in their lives to be HAPPY abt.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Silvara!


**he feels that just because they killed the leader doesn't mean the terrorists are dead.

he's right! Just cos Praba is dead, it doesnt mean the root cause of this war has been treated.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Devika!

Alot of ppl forget...cos it's easier to live in TODAY than to go back and remember YESTERDAY.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Anuz!

Im relieved that atleast the bloodbath is over...but no I cant celebrate when I see a child with no arms and a man with no eyes. Yes I saw their pics from camps, where one of my doctor friends was on duty last week. I was shocked to witness so many innocents sitting there with no homes, no hygene, no nothing...but with lost limbs and still smiling to the camera!

NO I CANNOT CELEBRATE THAT!!


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty SMM!

I agree that we r at a point to look forward and correct our mistakes to build a better nation.


BUT

I simply cannot CELEBRATE right now. I may feel a sense of relief that the Fighting is over and there wont be anymore innocent civilian casualties or injuries. But those who r now left handicapped and sitting on a bed in a hospital far away, or sleeping under a bed cos there r not enough beds, make me reminisce in silence. I cannot play the drums or dance the happy dance, cos I cannot be happy in a situation like this...only relieved that it MAY be finally over.



Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Srijith!

Long time indeed :)


**because immediately forgetting this huge price we had to pay for peace even in the small beautiful island nation of Sri Lanka is a message for the entire world.

yes, this day came at a very HEAVY COST. And I dun wanna overlook that.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

Donno hey may God bless our mate WW!

Keshi.

Keshi said...

hey ty Arv!

God bless indeeds...after so many years and tears!

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Bro!

My 2 uncles died in this sensless war when I was about 10 or 11. One is my dad's sister's husband...so he's sinhalese. The other is my mum's sister's husband...so he's Tamil. They were both senior Police officers...1 uncle died while driving a jeep over a landmine set up by the LTTE. The other died while attending a then Jaffna mayor's meeting when a Suicide terrorist blew himself up at the hall.

They both left behind very young families...my aunts and cousins.

I think of them fondly even today...I remember them. They gave their lives so that we cud see this day.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

hey ty Sunshine_girl!

I rem all of em somehow...I will always hv em in my heart.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Saffy!


**But it is truely horrifying to read about the number of lives lost to wipe out LTTE.


I agree. SO MANY LIVES claimed by Praba and his ruthless shit. I think he was a psychopath.


Having said that, I hope the SL govt will really take care of the Tamils now. I want to see a concrete political solution, not mere words.



Keshi.

Keshi said...

Tabitha thats right...Peace is what we all seek, but isnt it strange how so many ppl look in very wrong places for that peace!


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Ria!

**But apart from looking back at the ppl who lost their lives. I also want to feel relieved tht at least now no one will lose their life!!


thats what I mean. Im relieved that it may finally be over, but I dun want to forget or rejoice the deaths and destruction that we all had to witness to arrive at this day.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

I agree Enigma..lets just hope for the best.

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Satish!

**i don't know whether the death of prabhakaran is for good or bad for sri lanka. let's hope for the best.


With Praba's death, alot of ppl r happy cos he was the mastermind behind this awfully long bloodbath. So eliminating him from this Earth kinda gives hope to ppl.

Abt the refugees, I hv seen scores of their pics already...first-hand images from my doctor friends who r working there right now. And it made me very sad to see kids with no limbs and homeless old women sitting under trees...now how can I CELEBRATE?

tnxx for the link!

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Nachi!

**the celebrations are not meant to forget the past or ignore the suffering of the present. they are but merely there to give us finicky humans hope for a better future...

I understand that but somehow I dun think lighing fire-crackers, playing drums, having BBQs, drinking and dancing is the way to go abt it. If they can spend that money on buying a train ticket to Mannar or Mullativu and visit a legless kid in the camps/hospitals, now that wud be a real CELEBRATION.


And ty for ur well wishes!


Keshi.

Keshi said...

I agree Richa...lets hope that we'll hv real PEACE soon...that means, PEACE that comes w.o. bloodshed.

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Tarun thats a very noble wish!

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty CN!

yes...I mean take a good look at a dead body of an older man (old enough to be my dad or uncle), look at the way he breathed his last breath, look how his mouth is slightly open, his eyes half open and his head bathed in blood.

Do ppl really want me to CELEBRATE that just cos Im alive today?


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Amit!


**With so many innocents killed or displaced, one can only wonder'was it worth it'?

Spot on!

With Praba forming LTTE and former SL govts that never paid any attention to the Tamil ppl's cries, we did end up paying a very big price to get to where we r today. I hope the current and future SL govts wont make the same mistake ever again.


The only way to combat Separatism for good, is to respect and obey fundamental laws of co-existing with all races, colors and cultures w.o. any bias. until the govts and the majority of the citizens of a nation realise that, the PROBLEM will always stay.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Rakesh!

Sense of relief it is :)

Keshi.

Keshi said...

aww Lisa WB and HUGS! I missed ya. Good luck with ur job-hunting girl!


**you can not hold on...celebrate that future dreams will no longer be put on hold...celebrate that lives will not longer be shed.....


Im not holding on to the past. Im only remembering Lisa. I cannot celebrate anything at the end of a bloody war. for me to celebrate the prosperity of SL and it's future, I want to see concrete 'political' solutions in terms of the tamils put into action. On that day, when no one is treated unfairly cos of their caste, creed or color, I will CELEBRATE.

Having said that, right now Im only relieved its possibly over :) Thats all luv.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Sugar!

I agree. It's a pyrrhic victory indeed. A military victory coming at such a high cost simply cannot be celebrated. Im glad its over but I hv no reason to celebrate. There's a difference in feeling relieved and celebrating.


**Paying tribute to & always remembering the ones who lost their lives is the actual form of celebration after every war that ends.

ur spot on! If all that money spent on fire-crackers, BBQs, drinks etc can be used to buy a train ticket to Mannar hospital and visit a limbless kid, they will know what Im talking abt.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Muthu!


**LTTE is just the ugly head of what happens when there is a class struggle.

yes...LTTE is a sad and dangerous product of unadressed political issues in SL. It's high time the govt realise that and I kind of hv faith in the current President. His recent speech assured us all that Tamils will be looked after and that there wont be any 'minorities' in SL ever again. That kind of gave alot of ppl HOPE.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Nirmal! :)

Keshi.

Devika Jyothi said...

I agree Keshi..but with note that...

Ask someone to live in the 'now' -- they would find it the most difficult...always caught with the past

A sense of past has to be ingrained -- one shouldn't be 'going back' to see what happened then...while living in the now...

its about a meditative state of mind...I agree, it needs practice:)

wishes,
devika

Keshi said...

ty Devika!

**A sense of past has to be ingrained -- one shouldn't be 'going back' to see what happened then...while living in the now...

yes there's a slight difference between GOING BACK and LOOKING BACK :)


Keshi.

Devika Jyothi said...

True :-)

devika

Keshi said...

Hence the title of this post

'LOOKING back before GOING forward'

@Devika :)


Keshi.

Devika Jyothi said...

HA! SMART GIRL! :))

devika

Vani said...

Nice post keshi. I dont thnk der is ny point in celebrating now.. As u said- der is no point in celebrating a blood bath.. Too many lives were lost.
Lets now remember the soldiers who sacrificed their lives to bring the war to an end..and those innocent ppl who lost their lives in the war..

I wish we could have peace atleast now..But I'm not sure we r going abt the right way to gachive peace..I'm not sure that the end of this war means peace..Nothing changed much here.
Keshi if u can plz read my last post
http://vani-scribbulus.blogspot.com/2009/05/is-this-really-end.html

Anonymous said...

Keishi,

Thought i would drop you a line. It has been a while:).

There is no joy in death, only in life.

We saw this with the Iraq conflict, you young men the sons of Saddam Hussein, gunned down by American Forces.

While i am not justifying there lives, their atrocities, or their disregard for the sanctity of life.

I am saying we need to be better than this before any real change can be accomplished.

The Tamil Tigers did what they thought was right, they sought justice, and equality. Noble in cause however ignoble in action.

There has got to be a better way.

Aidan

Cяystal said...

How horribly true this post is..you just made my day...honestly..sometimes looking back can be tough..but when the going gets tough..the tough GETS GOING! :)
:-)
And oh yes..m baaaaaaaack!

Priya Joyce said...

yesh it updates now ..thnx for listening to the grievance:P and also solvin it heheh :)

Arnab Majumdar said...

I hope this peace in Sri Lanka lasts, and that all the people of that country are free from the war that has been present in that country for such a long time. For that, I am happy; but you are right, it is very important to remember the many men, women and children who lost their lives due to this struggle.

Jack said...

Keshi,

I fully agree with you that there is no need for such celebrations. One should remain sober and be thankful to God for ending such plight. There may be sigh of relief and some show of that but not at the cost of what is lost. Unfortunately the Sri Lakan Govt was pushed to edge and the action was inevitable as no elected government can have someone indulge in such anti-govt and anti-people activities without slight consideration for lives taken by violance.

Take care

Anil Sawan said...

maybe all this blood bath wud have a desirable result Keshi. The war was not a game played by the administration for the fun of it, was it? atlst i dnt feel so. Terrorism, be it in any form, shud end and there might be blood bath involved in the proces of making it happen. you cant say prayer in front of an insane person holding gun and expect that he wud lay down his weapon. let peace prevail in tht regain. my condolences to those who lost their life battling against terrorism and to those innocent souls who lost their life in the cross fire.

PhilO♥ said...

You're from Sri Lanka?? Woah! Cool!!
Glad you liked my sketch. Do come back for more :)

Ramya Shankar said...

Ditto on my thoughts as well. There may be peace that would be remembered but what is gone is so easily forgotten.
I'd rather remember how much was lost to achieve something that is said and rejoiced so quickly.

Keshi said...

Devika :)

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Vani!

**..I'm not sure that the end of this war means peace..Nothing changed much here.


ur right. Peace can never come from so much of Violence. NEVER. Think abt it. If u slap someone hard on the face or stab them, would u hv PEACE of mind?


But as a govt, they had to declare war to end this LTTE menace somehow. No rich Western nation came and helped SL, cos SL doesnt hv OIL! All the cries of SL ppl felt on deaf ears around the world. So, the SL govt was somehow alone and I think they just had to do it. And they did it. Altho Im quite sad abt the 1000s of civilians who died during this military mission, I guess we now hv a sense of RELIEF that the LTTE is crushed...atleast for the time-being.


For real PEACE to come, now the SL Govt needs to TRULY make peace with the SL Tamils and bring abt a political solution...a long-term solution that will be the seeds of the true PEACE that we r all waiting for.

I hope that happens.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

hey Aidan long time no see :) Hows u? So lovely to hv u commenting here again.


**The Tamil Tigers did what they thought was right, they sought justice, and equality. Noble in cause however ignoble in action.


I agree. u wouldnt believe it, even tho I dun support Terrorism and I hate their stupid n violent antics, I felt really sad when I saw the dead body of Praba. I felt a deep compassion for a violent terrorist. Does this make me insane? :)

I guess they were fighting for a cause but the WAY they fought was WRONG. Taking up arms will never bring peace. I wonder why they cant u'stand that.



**There has got to be a better way.

I so agree! Well-said. There's gotta be a better way and that way needs to be identified!



Keshi.

Keshi said...

Hey Crystal WB! :) Im so happy ur bak girl. Missed ya.

Keshi.

Keshi said...

Joyce hey ;-)

Keshi.

Keshi said...

hey Arnab WC to my world! :)

ty! I hope so too. But I know that Peace, after such a long and brutal battle, will take a very long time to come.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Jack!


** One should remain sober and be thankful to God for ending such plight

I agree. THANK GOD! thats all I could say.


And yes ur right...the SL govt was PUSHED to do it. Cos no other Western country stepped into help SL..I believe thats cos SL didnt hv anything to offer such as OIL!


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Sawan!

**Terrorism, be it in any form, shud end and there might be blood bath involved in the proces of making it happen.

Sadly I hv to agree with u. But what I dun AGREE with is innocent civilians being bombed in the name of WAR. The SL govt cud hv easily protected these ppl...u know they didnt even allow inter'l aid workers to get to the no fire zones to help the trapped ppl. WHAT ABT THAT?

Crush the terrorists yes, but pls dun kill innocent men, women n children. What did they do to deserve that? Sawan if u look at pics from 'concentraion camps' and hospitals in Mullativu and Mannar, u will know what Im talking abt.


But I agree..terrorists will meet their violent fate...the fate that they created for themselves. And thats what happened to Praba and his entire family. In Sinhalese there's a quote that goes like this:


Those who take up arms, die from arms.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

yes Cursed Im originally from SL tho Im an Aussie now :)

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Ramya!


**I'd rather remember how much was lost to achieve something that is said and rejoiced so quickly.


Spot on!


Keshi.

Anil Sawan said...

Keshi, I understud what you are telling. As far as I could imagine, this might be he reason for all wut happened.
[i] Srilankan govt was in immense pressure from the global front on cease fire.
[ii] if you have analysed the operations of LTTE, you would have noted that they had some master infiltrators who could infiltrate to almost all deplomatic bodies thus increasing the pressure on Srilankan govt.
[iii] LTTE was loosing strength among public cos its activities were now monitored and tele casted via satellite. For example, there was a satellite video released by US navy which showed LTTE soldiers stopping public from moving away from the war zone to the safe zone. They used these public as cover from the govt forces. If these people were released by LTTE, the war would have been over much before.
[iv]These videos and the news were to be kept away from the public trapped in the warzone. The people there had deep rooted belief about LTTE as a saviour organization for many. Any sudden change in that might have erupted rage among public and the situation would have worsened and grown out of control. So they had to keep the media and other NGOs out of vicinity from them.
[v] fighting a team which has financial/diplomatic tie ups with developed nations like Europe and US would always be tough for the govt. They had to make sure that only the videos and news they broadcast would be viewed by the world. The presence of foreign media would have adversely affected the war.
[v1] for the govt, this is a big step. once started, they couldnt even think of ceasing the operations - not for anything. cos stoping itself mid way would mean promoting LTTE in the global eyes thus proving tht the govt in Srilanka is incapable of ruling a nation.

maybe you wud disagree :) i have limited knowledge about Srilanka and the gvt ter. all wut i had to say is the result of analysis of tht limited knowledge. if i need to know more, you are welcome to enlighten me.

Sun Follower said...

peace is such a simple word... but so hard to realize.

Keshi said...

hey Sawan ty!

I think ur spot on abt the war and what the govt had to do. but it's just that I dun support Terror, be it via the SL govt or the LTTE. :)


Keshi.

Keshi said...

very true Sun!

Keshi.