yathaarthaM vadhaami

My Eye treatment - Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:09:00 +0000

Continuation of this

On 12th April, I went to Aravind Hospital and was taken to the block for in-patients. I asked for an AC room as earlier, but the AC rooms were fully occupied. So I opted for an A-Class room which was offered. The room was comfortable and two people were allowed to stay with me. I was called in for pre surgery tests at 12.10 PM and was taken into the theater at 12.30 PM. I met Dr.Usha Kim when I was waiting in the room. She advised me to relax and she will be doing the corrective surgery

Read more »

My Eye Treatment - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:44:00 +0000

I'm recording here, my personal experience of an eye treatment I underwent. This post is purely personal.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I had been having issues with my left eye for a couple of decades now. An accident during the past added to the woes, but it was okay to live with, as it didn't cause any pain or serious problems of any sort by the Grace of my Guru Thapas Chakravarthi Shri Bhrathee Theertha Mahaswamiji of Sringeri and my God the Great Jala Rakshaka Ayyanar of Rajapalayam. But right after the Sankranthi holidays of 2013 (mid January) I've been having an irritation in the left eye and have been continuing with some eye drops advised by my ophthalmologist. Later my dad suggested that I sit with the Ophthalmologist at Rajapalayam for finding out a permanent solution for this. The Clinic is called Shakthi Eye Hospital and Dr.Rajesh & Dr.Anitha were running it. I finally agreed with my dad to meet with this 'couple' of doctors.
Read more »

Tamil, Terror and Tenacity

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:18:00 +0000

My article published in Udai India
-----------------------------------

The nightmares of 2009 armed conflict in SriLanka have been revived now for political reasons. Students in TamilNadu are agitating for the cause of Tamil Eelam (a separate nation demand), the welfare of the Tamils in SriLanka, Prosecution of the SriLankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, Imposition of economic sanctions on SriLanka and severing of diplomatic ties with that nation. The war and the related crimes happened four years ago. The politicians in TamilNadu especially those who hold the Eelam cause high now, were docile, dormant and inert while having all the power with them to have made an effective attempt to stop the killing of innocents. The students were also there in 2009. All were docile when people were killed and shouting after 4 years which is akin to refusing donating blood for a dying patient but crying at the cemetery years after the death.

A point of odour. May it please you, Justice Katju!

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:21:00 +0000

We've been hearing a lot of lament about delayed and denied justice to the affected parties, particularly with regards to the violence happened after the Godhra train massacre in 2002, from Mr. Justice (Retd) Markandey Katju. He has earlier raised this point with a suggestion that all the scents of Arabia will not be sufficient to get rid of the bad odour of the violence. When Justice Katju faced opposition for the tenor of his essay, he was pretty determined not to listen to the other side. He has now gone over to Pakistan through it's newspapers and spoken against the Gujarat Chief Minister, probably for the convenience of a like minded audience without an iota of opposition to his views.
Read more »

Scent of a retired Judge

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:18:00 +0000

Mr.Justice Markandey Katju, the Chariman of the Press Council of India, is known for his legal acumen and out spoken nature. He is famous for his open mouth comment in the open court aimed at senior counsel P.P. Rao. He has been writing many articles some of those make good sense and many of those go otherwise. Of late, Justice Katju seems to have a gross contempt for his fellow countrymen and is very much open mouthed in his criticism.

Read more »

Felons are a result of bad parenting

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 11:29:00 +0000

Of late we've been hearing the media hullabaloo over the Delhi gang rape and other such incidents in the society. We've been wondering what has gone wrong with some of our folks? Why there is a sudden spike in such violence? Why do we have an increase in this untenable behaviour? Are we doing anything for that apart from commenting on Facebook and participating in candle light processions? Many people blame the society and the trend of the lifestyle for this and ask for a change. That is perfect. But I have a question for those folks. The panic is justifiable, since we have sisters, cousins, daughters and friends in the women folk whom we wish to be safe in the world and cannot tolerate the agony of them getting violated.

Read more »

The cyclonic monk who saved a fainting nation

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 07:01:00 +0000

Twelfth of January every year is observed as Youth Day, since it is Swami Vivekananda's Birth day. The nation celebrates the 150th Birthday of the Swami with a situation comparably similar to that of the days of the Swamiji. In those days people were accepting that the culture of the land was inferior and the way of life needed refinement to reflect that of the European which was considered civil enough and anything that didn't have a semblance to it was termed barbaric. Macaulay, taking a mammoth step towards asserting British supremacy, summarily brushed aside the ancient scriptures of our culture with a sweep of left hand as unworthy. Did he read those and have any reason to conclude? Hardly is the answer to the first part and arrogance is the answer to the second part of the question.

Read more »

'MODI'fication of Gujarat - Bharath next?

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 14:11:00 +0000

It is Modi again in Gujarat. He has done it, despite the curses, opinion building, friends and foes, internal meandering etc. Modi has proved his mettle and marches ahead with victory. It was not a cake walk of course. He toiled for this victory and he deserves it. It is a hat trick for Modi and BJP in Gujarat. His leadership qualities and his communication skills are commendable. Some call it marketing gimmick. But they forget the fact that gimmickry cannot get you going for the third consecutive time with a thumping victory.

What is under the hood of this Sainthood?

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 12:10:00 +0000

It was another Sunday (2/2/12) with the usual laziness syncing in and day was moving at a snail's pace. While watching TV, I saw some Christian function with some big wigs of the church present. It was Jaya Plus channel and they said that martyrdom was being accorded to one Devasahayam Pillai. I googled and wiki'd to figure out what role has he played in the freedom struggle. Later it turned out to be a Christian religious martyrdom. So, what does this mean to us? Pillai will be a Christian saint sooner or later. This martyrdom is the first step towards that.

Read more »

The fable of ‘Martyr’ Devasahayam Pillai: Church’s lies stand exposed – B.R. Gauthaman

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 01:13:00 +0000

This is an article, a well researched one, of my learned friend B.R.Gauthaman. The incisive questions asked by him based on the facts and recorded history, puts the claim of the church under a cloud of suspicion. The color quote by the church may wane when it rains. I have my thoughts and questions on the sainthood offer. I'll put them through shortly.

Now, here goes Gauthaman.

Read more »

Holocaust of Cattle - Are we living amongst Schultz Staffel?

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 00:12:00 +0000

Sunday normally starts with a lazy morning, my mom prodding about prayers and breakfast, dad enjoying his time with me speaking from politics to Vedanta to old time memories. One of the past Sundayas (7/10/12) was different. None was at home in the morning as parents left to home town for Navarathri. Bloody lazy day with loads of outstanding works is really a hell. But as there was no other go, started the day through that hell and was sailing through.

Read more »

The Politics of Love and Loyalty

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 04:06:00 +0000

Contemporary politics is an idiosyncratic trade. People stay mum for allegations which would attract a tight slap in normal situations and even an attempted kill in flared up moods. An example of one such (chronic) behaviour is that of the Gandhi family, not of the Barrister from Gujarat, but of the heirs of the person to whom he lent his surname. Feroze Gandhi. There were some retorts and repartees during the times of Feroze's wife Indira and his son Rajiv. But right after Rajiv's wife Sonia Gandhi took over the family organisation i.e the Congress Party, a lot of allegations were levelled, some even make the listener think as if hurling vitriol at will were the order of the day. But not even a murmur heard against such allegations, leave alone law suits being filed.

Read more »

Goebbelsian tactics of Dravidian politics!

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 19:15:00 +0000

Anti Brahmin ramblings are not new to TamilNadu. The cowards of Dravidian political parties have been resorting to attacks on Brahmins as the community is known for its tolerance of even ruthless violence. There is still a controversy going on in Srirangam, the constituency of TamilNadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalitha. A small hotel named Krishna Iyyer Cafe has been targeted by a group still clinging to the idiotic ramblings of EV Ramasamy Naicker the founder of Dravidar Kazhagam, a group propagating atheism. EVR Naicker is a man of controversial lifestyle.

Read more »

Reforms - Do we really need them this way?

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 17:39:00 +0000

The meaning of Reform is to put an end to (an evil) by enforcing or introducing a better method or course of action. When we talk about economic reforms it is about the course correction of an already dilapidated socialist economy of our nation till 1991.

Read more »

Coal gate - Nothing to forget about

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 18:28:00 +0000

Aping the west especially USA is the way of most of the walks of life nowadays. Even in naming a corruption charge. The Union Government's latest in the list of it's corruptions is the loss of Rs.1,86,000 crore to the exchequer, in allocating the coal mines in our nation. The CAG has come up with a clear and methodical approach is exposing the loss, which is termed as presumptive, to the exchequer. But given to understand that this loss to the exchequer has been a gain for someone, makes one sit up and ask a list of questions, which the Government feels uneasy to answer.

Read more »

Applaud PM's honesty - His silence is honourable!

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 14:43:00 +0000

"Hazaron jawabo se achchi hai khamoshi meri, na jaane kitne sawalo ki aabru rakhe. (My silence is better than a thousand answers, it keeps intact the honour of innumerable questions)," The PM prefers silence when questions are asked.

Asom - Must mitigate the migrant menace

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 13:37:00 +0000

I live in my town. Someone comes from a distant place as there is no possibility for decent living there. He slowly tries to dictate my terms of life and finally attempts to control me in total. If I retaliate, some say he needs to be given a humanitarian consideration. Some threaten me that my stern stand against him will turn him violent and harm me.

Some blame me as intolerant because his way of life is different from mine. He has come to my town to make a living and I don't have anything against him unless my existence is threatened. When threatened I'm not negotiating with the trespasser as it is my home and he has to mind his behaviour.

You call me terrorist? I don't care. You call me intolerant? I'm not bothered. You call me fascist? I have gross indifference towards your attitude. You blame my attitude? I don't give it a damn!!

TESO - A cliff to cling on for the falling DMK

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 13:46:00 +0000

Off late we've been hearing a lot about TESO. Some of us might have TESO in dim distant past memories. A quick catch up about it. TESO stands for Tamil Eelam Supporters Organization, formed in 1983 with M. Karunanidhi (DMK), K.Veeramani (Dravidar Kazhagam) and Pazha. Nedumaran of Tamil Nationalist Party. This was formed to garner support for separate Eelam nation in the Sri Lankan island.

On 4 th May 1986, DMK organized the Tamil Eelam Supporters Organization Conference in Madurai. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, N.T.Rama Rao and Dr.Subramanian Swamy participated in that conference. They indeed were seemed to be bent on getting Eelam. All participants promised help to the sufferers.
Read more »

Welcome to Organiser

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 05:47:00 +0000

DIAL plot to raze thousand year old temple complex near Delhi Airport

Mahasannidhanam of Sringeri arrives at Chennai

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 11:12:00 +0000

It has been a long wait for the Sringeri devotees of TamilNadu especially the ones of Chennai. We have had the Holy presence of Sri Mahasannidhanam during his earlier visit in 1995. It has been 17 years since, and we have been praying for his visit and have been anticipating. His Holiness has given his consent to visit Chennai during his tour of Southern States. Southerners were ecstatic.We've been following His Vijaya Yatra right from 26-Feb-12 mentally and through media. The Chennai visit was confirmed with Kumbabhishekam of Sharadha temple at Kodambakkam, but the duration of His visit was still a matter of discussion.

Read more »

Moral Education - More pressure on Students?

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 03:33:00 +0000

Everyone is lamenting about lack of moral education in schools and lack of care by parents when news broke out that a teenager school student stabbed his teacher to death, because she complained about his poor performance to his parents. Moral Instruction was included in the timetable when I was in school, but our teachers proudly said that moral stories won't fetch marks in exams and concentrated on Mathematics and Science during those hours. I was an average student in those subjects, so hated the pressure put by the teachers who wanted me to understand what they taught instead of teaching me in a way I understood. (Thank fully one of our family friends was a maths teacher and he taught me in private in a way I understood and I got decent marks in mathematics.) Science? If everybody becomes a scientist who will manage the world? So, I studied commerce and management.

Bin Laden bites dust

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Sun, 08 May 2011 06:28:00 +0000

OBL is neutralized. This means Osama Bin Laden is killed, in intelligence tongue. The Saudi Arab who inherited billions from his father was a living example to prove the poverty theory on terrorism, absolutely wrong. Al Qaeda was founded in 1988 by Osama bin Laden to consolidate the international network he established during the Afghan war against the USSR. Its goals were the advancement of Islamic revolutions throughout the Muslim world and repelling foreign intervention in the Middle East.

After the end of the Afghan-Soviet war, most of the Afghan-Arabs, as the mostly non-Afghan volunteers who fought the Soviets came to be known have joined conflicts in Somalia, the Balkans and Chechnya. This benefited Al Qaeda’s global reach and later helped cultivate generations of Al Qaeda terrorists. After the first Gulf war of the early '90s, Al Qaeda vociferously opposed the stationing of U.S. troops on the holiest of Islamic lands, Saudi Arabia, and waged an extended terror campaign against the Saudi rulers, whom Osama believed to be false Muslims.

Between 1991 and 1996, Al Qaeda took part in several major terror attacks.
The Saudi regime deported bin Laden in 1992 and revoked his citizenship in 1994. Bin Laden operated out of Sudan till 1996 and then moved to Afghanistan, as the US pressure on Sudanese Government was unbearable for the establishment. Al Qaeda, with the help of new connections and resources, was involved in several terror attacks and covert actions carried out by other organizations.

In 1998 Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, and several other leading Muslim militants formed a coalition called International Islamic Front for Jihad Against the Jews and Crusaders to fight the U.S. Al Qaeda attacked US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in1998, then it attacked the USS Cole, an American guided-missile destroyer at Aden, Yemen. Bill Clinton, then President of the US, had, it is trusted, ordered the CIA to capture or kill Bin Laden.

After that the most heinous act of 9/11 happened. The US then, under the leadership of Bush Jr., carried out a frenzied attack on suspected terror targets, yet unsuccessful in getting OBL, but got itself satisfied by toppling and hanging Saddam Hussein. Al Qaeda is believed to have carried out the 7/7 attack in the UK. The attempt to assassinate Clinton in Philippines, and so on. The barbarous attacks in Bali islands attempting to crush it's tourism industry was Al Qaeda's master piece in Indonesian suburbs. Yet, bin Laden's dream of wiping out Israel didn't come true.

When the Taliban lost Afghanistan, bin Laden was said to have fled to neighboring Pakistan, but ISI vehemently denied this, as usual, and vowed to wipe out terror. Since 2005, bin Laden was living in Pakistan and top intelligence agencies around the world were reporting this. Even news papers have covered this and reported about bin Laden's Pakistan stay. Yet, CIA didn't act because of political meanderings. MI5 too didn't act as it was operating as a branch of CIA in UK. Al Qaeda's visible sojourn with Pakistan dates back to 2002.

In 2002, Bin Laden's close confidant Abu Zubaydah was arrested in Faisalabad, one of Pakistan’s most moderate cities, a place known more for its textile industry than its association with global terrorism.

Alleged 9/11 plotter Ramzi bin al-Shaiba was arrested in Karachi, also in 2002, and in 2003 the self-confessed mastermind of 9/11, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was held in Rawalpindi, the city headquarters of Pakistan’s military.

In 2005, Al-Qaeda number three Abu Faraj al-Libbi was tracked down to the shrine town of Mardan and Mustafa Setmariam Nasar, wanted for the Madrid and London bombings, in the Pakistani city of Quetta.

Well, Abbottabad, Bin Laden's abode for quite a while, is the fort of a brigade of the second division of Pakistan’s Northern Army Corps and several other sensitive army establishments, including a key military training academy. It is boasted that not even a fly could escape the eyes of the ATC of the security agencies' installations, leave alone US Navy Seals choppers. Osama's Abbottabad house compound was next door to a senior serving Pakistan Army major of medical corps.

The finding of bin Laden in Abbottabad, a city crawling with officers and home to the country’s top military academy, raises serious questions about the Pakistani intelligence agency's help to protect Bin Laden. It is not an argument worth even to hear that the Pakistani security establishment was caught unawares while the US found Bin Laden in Abbotabad and killed him single handedly. Without local ground support any military operation would not be possible. Possibilities are the west leaning faction in the ISI would have covertly helped US while keeping the operation Geronimo without a hush.

Well, what does this kill have for India and the world? Let me discuss that in a while.

Education and Character

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 23:46:00 +0000

The wikileaks diplomatic cables re-leaked in India by The Hindu has created a furore in Parliament and a disgust amongst the public. The main opposition BJP has got unexpected support from it's main detractors the left parties and the so-called secular outfits.

It is appalling to listen to the Hon'ble Prime Minister Manmohan Singh defending the cash for votes corruption in Parliament. The PM, highly educated Executive Head of a State today, has degraded himself morally and has reiterated the age old lament that Universities impart knowledge but need not necessarily build character. The wikileaks documents accessed and published by 'The Hindu' exposes that the "generally accurate" diplomatic cables of the US diplomats say that money has been paid to ensure the Congress Government gets the enough numbers to get through the confidence vote.

The argument of the PM refuting this allegation is meek and stupid. He says he had not authorized anyone to pay MPs to vote in favour of his Government, so that allegation is false. If that is the regular practice in his Cabinet, there are couple of questions for him.

Has he authorized the malpractices in awarding the 2G license?
Has he authorized the untenable appointment of tainted Thomas as CVC?
Has he authorized the notorious corruption in CWG?

Or is this line of defence a whine of a blank shell that the defacto powers in this ruling setup have authorized these malpractices and there is no point in questioning him for their actions. It is known to all that he is a dummy yes-man for the Gandhi family. And he has got himself into the web of their power play to loot the nation in every way, day by day. Coming out and voicing his objections to the perversions in governance now is not an option for him, since he has been part of the sullied setup for quite a while.

He has exhibited that he had successfully killed his ability of rational thinking for surviving in this distorted democratic set up, by arguing that the people have voted him back to power after the pay to vote victory in Parliament, so he need not answer anyone. So, any rogue, rascal and freebooter could by all corrupt means win an election and claim that all legal proceedings against him should be dropped as he has the people's mandate.

Godhra lawsuit against Modi should be quashed under this logic as he has won 3 consecutive elections after that incident. Lawsuit for demolishing the disputed structure in Ayodhya against Vajpayee, Advani, Joshi and others should have been dropped as they have won consecutive elections after that incident. Election victories in this nation is not truly democratic. We have lists of corrupt, perverted and distorted practices in the name of democracy right from the 1950 election. People are not giving their free and fair decisions, but their decision is manipulated by opinion building one way or the other.

So, election victories could not be taken as a vindication for criminal offenses, rather election victories or losses could be taken as a verdict on political stands and philosophies, that too only to a meager extent. So, the PM's claim of vindication is a farce. This shows that the highly educated man, well celebrated for his education, has debauched from the way of rational thinking which is a fruit of education. This stands proof for the age old adage, that certificates and citations won't make you educated, but only the character which you display during testing times show the real personality. Now, we can safely conclude that Dr. Manmohan Singh is a well read man but not a man of unquestionable character.

Alas, the nation has lost another man of integrity to the omni-corrupt politics.

Fishermen fished out! #tnfisherman

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 03:19:00 +0000

It is kind of regular to get in news that Fishermen of TamilNadu are getting killed by Sri Lankan Navy for crossing the IMBL. While observing the media reports on the heinous acts of killing of Indian Fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy, it is disturbing that the acts have been reported not as killing but death of TN Fishermen. What is the media trying to do with a soft stand on an issue of life and death of our countrymen? Is it the Soviet bred attitude of understating the problems and exaggerating the praises? So seems the quality of job of on of the pillars of democracy.

Article 21 of the Constitution of India states “No person shall be deprived of his life except according to the due process established by law.” The Government has a responsibility to keep this constitutional promise up as the people manning it have been sworn in, inter alia, to do this. But the Honorable Prime Minister of India is silent, as always, in this sensitive issue of the killings of our fishermen. He is also, as could not be expected otherwise, silent on the barbarian act of burning alive of a Deputy Collector in Maharashtra. He is silent on the price rise issue. He is silent on the black money mess up. Moot question is has he been sworn to the law of Omerta?

Well, the fishermen of our nation go fishing to the sea as it is their livelihood. They contribute to the economy, trade and exports, not to forget the income they generate for the national economy. Hope our economist PM understands the importance of fishermen, if this issue is looked at from the economy perspective. So, people who contribute to the economic activity, generate income for the nation, contribute to foreign currency reserves deserve to be treated with some respect. But, the Government doesn't care about their loss of lives and justify their killing by citing the killers lame duck excuses as crossing of IMBL.

Where in the world fishermen are killed for crossing IMBL except in Palk straits? Even bitter conditions exist in EU about maritime borders. Slovania and Croatia have dispute over their MBL, but they have decided not to get their general public suffer on their strategic political disputes.

Here we don't have any maritime border disputes with Sri Lanka. Katchathivu giveaway in 1974 was a strategic blunder for escaping from Sarkaria Commission.Under the treaty agreement of 1974, Indian fishermen have rights to rich fishing grounds in the territorial waters of Sri Lanka around Kachchativu. But, those rights were not honored by Sri Lanka, and the dishonor was not taken seriously neither by the Government of India for violation of agreement nor by the Government of TamilNadu for it's people left to suffer.

On 2009, Tamil Nadu Government declared that the area is controlled by the Sri Lanka against the original pact of allowing Indian fishermen to access the water of Sri Lanka. But this declaration has not even the value of plea to the Sri Lankan Government as it has no legal/diplomatic binding. Any such declarations and talk of action should come from the Government of India to have a binding on International Relations. Tamil Nadu has 40 representatives in the Parliament just to do these kind of jobs. (But do some of those 40 know their JD?)

Between December 9-15, 2010, there was a couple of dozens of incidents having SL Navy harassing Indian Fishermen near Rameshwaram by taking their GPS devices and destroying their boat were exposed. Approximately 1.5 Crores rupees of damages including fish loss was recorded. Due to this Indian Navy arrested 14 SL Navy Officials who entered the border of India with unauthorized ships and Indian Navy Boat blew off one of its tugs which used to attack Indian Fishermen. What was done further? Nobody knows.

The vociferous media of India speaks in a feeble voice about this issue. The media network in TamilNadu controlled by the second family of DMK, which shouted in high decibels when MK was arrested, now boasts pride in reporting that the Chief Minister has written letters and sent telegrams on this issue. The content of the letters or telegrams are as secret as the talks with K'taka on the Cauvery issue. Nobody knows whether those letters/telegrams were informative or requesting consideration to do something or demanding firm action except for those who wrote and those who read.

The Indian Navy and the Sri Lankan Navy have spoken about the plight of the fishermen also, when they discussed about the security concerns post mortem the LTTE. But there was no follow up from the TN Government and the Opposition parties of TN on this matter, raising concerns with the GoI for furthering the talks to ensure safety of the shore dwellers of India. The state Government seems to be least concerned about the fishermen issue as the usually vociferous MK remains relatively silent on the plight of the fishermen.

The opposition parties try too make an election issue of this bereavement, but genuine concern for fishermen is only palpable with the netizens as they don't have any restrictions in registering their thoughts. As I've observed while commuting through the city, I've found many people who are so concerned about the fishermen inter alia other burning issues, and agree that the Government and politicians are not doing enough. They are concerned but they were unable to explain. Few of them are net savvy, so they agreed to tweet and write messages in FB.

Those who are on the flop side of the digital divide feel that the media are not doing enough in bringing the plight of the fishermen to the notice of the public. A lady told me that the media should have given at least 25% of the hype it gave to Spectrum gate. The general feel of the public is that the grandpas of Indian politics Karunanidhi, Manmohan Singh and the likes should retire and young and energetic people with a sense of responsibility should take over. We can't expect sense of responsibility with Karuna's offspring or the Gandhi family scions.

The Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj has told that she would discuss with External affairs minister S.M. Krishna about this issue, but Krishna would be of little help, has his performance so far, to be taken into account. Jayalalitha may be of help at this juncture, but how far would depend upon the advisers she employ and entertain. Extremely critical of the Lankan Tamils and averse to their presence are Mr. Cho. Ramaswamy and the likes. If JJ takes their advise in this matter, we may simply leave her off. Dr. Subramaninan Swamy would be of help in getting the Government to act in this issue.

Netizens should not stop by just tweeting, blogging, feed backing but still we have to make this as a movement to ensure the shore dwelling brethren lives a safe and tranquil life. Challenges of life could be natural of which we have no control, but such artificial and atrocious challenges need to be rooted out. Let our Navy and our Coast Guard act on humanitarian grounds, without political interference. Things would grow better. For that we need political will. But Karuna is busy writing his will to share the party and his fortune amongst his offspring.

Some tweeters called for boycotting the ensuing TN assembly elections. That is not wise. Those who have grown by bogus voting and booth capturing would thrive on this opportunity with the power in hand at the state and at call at the center. 49-O is the best option, if people are not confident of any party to help in any matter. It is the life of our brethren, so it is for us to take them along and take the issue forward to a benefiting solution.

A request: When you tweet add #tnfisherman to your tweets. In Face Book join the Save fishermen page and express your support. Support the signature campaign to save Tamil Nadu's fishermen here.

Vande Matharam!

noreply@blogger.com (Arun Ambie) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 06:20:00 +0000

A true soldier needs both military and spiritual training. You must, all of you, so train yourselves and your comrades that every soldier will have unbounded confidence in himself, will be conscious of being immensely superior to the enemy, will be fearless of death, and will have sufficient initiative to act on his own in any critical situation should the need arise.

For an enslaved people, there can be no greater pride, no higher honor, than to be the first soldier in the army of liberation. But this honor carries with it a corresponding responsibility and I am deeply conscious of it. I assure you that I shall be with you in darkness and in sunshine, in sorrow and in joy, in suffering and in victory. For the present, I can offer you nothing except hunger, thirst, privation, forced marches and death. But if you follow me in life and in death, as I am confident you will, I shall lead you to victory and freedom. It does not matter who among us will live to see India free. It is enough that India shall be free and that we shall give our all to make her free. May God now bless our Army and grant us victory in the coming fight !

- Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.