Protected: Raw

Tamil Nadu Politics: On the path to deep political change or a mere shuffle? (Part I)

Tamil Nadu politics. It’s a show. Theatres and film productions all around the globe can learn a few tips and tricks with the great showmanship that Tamil Nadu politicians, and those whom aspire to become politicians, flair around in their sentences, gestures, and expressions. So in order to truly understand what is actually happening and going to happen, you must cut through the whole façade to get to what they are actually saying – that is, what their political intention really is. There are two things you must bear in mind with politicians and current politics itself:

The aim(s) of the politician and their manifesto (a declaration of intended political moves and changes).
The setting(s) that such aims take place in.
The diction (tone of speech) that the politicians use.

What is really equally important yet overlooked is the setting that aims and political promises take place in. Essentially, what tone is the politician putting forward their aims. This will be explored further in detail when we come to analyse both upcoming individuals. I call them individuals because they are not yet fully functioning politicians. Rather, persons who are just starting to not only cement their base with their ideals and theories but also just starting to build a dialogue with their voters in a non-cinematic way (or at least that ought to be the case).

The most globally-acknowledged principle when it comes to governance and a social format is held in what is known as the Social Contract Theory. Prior to our enhanced modern understanding, under philosophy it was the agreed view that a member of society lives in accordance to a wider societal contract. Their moral and political obligations is dependent on this agreement which is in place for a better working society and therefore livelihood. Modern theorists have emphasised this basic contract within the political governance sphere: that the people will accept to be governed so long as the governor caters to a fruitful governance. Where a fruitful governance is stalled or in decline, those being governed have the right to remove the governor. For more detailed explanations and debates on this topic read at least one of the following:

– Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan

– John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government

– Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s The Social Contract

– John Rawls’ A Theory on Justice

If you prefer visual understanding, then watch Iruvar (1997) which is a Tamil movie depicting the chaos when cinematic personalities become involved in Politics. The power struggle and the vulnerability of the people’s understanding of the political social contract is eloquently depicted in this movie – a revolutionary movie.

First Impression Analysis

We have two contrasting individuals here. We have Kamal with a futuristic mindset, while we have Rajini with a present outlook. We have Kamal who wants to radically revolutionise the theoretical notions of politics in Tamil Nadu, while we have Rajini who wants to switch around the players in the current state of politics. More importantly, we have Kamal who is a Thamizhan that wants to combine the Tamil image (and South India) with success, while we have Rajini who wants to reinforce the typical developing worlds’ attitude that English is the image of success only.

Kamal is setting out new parameters in politics so that future leaders can be moulded under a new outlook away from the current political institutions – that is, away from corruption, manipulation, influence, and degradation. Throughout his speeches, especially the speech he held in Chennai at the SSN Engineering College, Kamal never fails to urge and motivate the youth to become actively involved with politics whether through activities or merely staying on top of current political affairs. During his speech on the day of his party opening, he reiterated several times that one of the key changes within the Indian Tamil society was to not only learn how to regulate politicians and leaders but to also shape and mould future leaders so that self-regulation amongst politicians becomes a second habit. In order to ultimately achieve this, the upcoming generation must be ready when it is their time to take the ‘baton’ (a term used by Kamal himself to denote leadership). Yet, before that they must learn the meaning of the baton and more crucially the influence of their impact upon the utilisation of the baton. And this is where Kamal hopes to demonstrate and thereby teach. Kamal, while tailoring services and practical industrial changes for his generation of people, is drastically revolutionising the theoretical base of politics for the younger generation. This approach replaces the out-dated, and therefore abused and corrupted, political theory of Colonial India into a modern-seeking political theory that is on parr with Western political structures. What does this mean? It essentially means that although there are other politicians whose intentions are for radical changes within Tamil Nadu’s political sphere (e.g. Seeman; Naam Thamizhar Kaatchi), Kamal’s approach with the youth cements clarity and stability thus achieving what other politicians have failed to recognise: permanence.

As an indication of this new setting of parameters have a look at the diverse individuals, most notably the academics, that Kamal has representing his party Maiam:

MNM List — @iKamalHaasan – *Twitter, 2018*

Throughout his speech during his party’s opening in Madurai, he constantly articulates that he is working for the people and that he is, and will be if chosen to be the leader, under their rule (enforcing the quote and the SCT). While this is a cliché statement made by all aspiring leaders, Kamal states this as his core theme of his campaign as opposed to as the typical one liner at the beginning or end of a speech. He constantly reminds the people that they are in charge, and because they are and have been for the past years, he posits the blame of current corruption on the people themselves (Madurai speech). He explains that they are the ones who let corrupted politicians get away with actions that politicians in the West would never have gotten away with (arguably when concerning internal affairs) for two main reasons: 1) standing idle without demand; and 2) for selling their votes to money, TV, microwave etc that was bribed to them prior to the elections. If you had not known already, then you now will know that Kamal’s party also has a women’s wing. Kamal is not leaving any sector of the Tamil Nadu demographic out of the picture. The women’s wing of MAIAM organised on the 8th March a Women’s Day public gathering to mark International Women’s Day. On this day, the party had handed the mic over to remarkable women who all came from different backgrounds and professions to celebrate their achievements. More meetings had opened up for registration targeted specifically for women in and around the capital of Tamil Nadu. He is including everyone in the picture. To take responsibility of the past corruption and to set the future of TN politics rights.

This theme of correcting the past generation’s mistakes is what resonates with the youth of Tamil Nadu – or at least with the youth who are not hung over with cinema façade and can comprehend modern politics. His momentum of introducing modern democratic politics introduces key themes to the masses that they otherwise may not have thought to have been equally important as state success: accountability, regulation, and transparency. This is why his statement to the youths that they must be actively involved with politics is crucial. They need to be exposed to this train of modern political thought that Kamal is trying to implement in Tamil Nadu – and precisely why Rajini’s advice to the Tamil Nadu youth to not fully immerse themselves in politics is dangerous. While English is very important as a tool to trade with the rest of the world, it alone is insufficient to be globally competitive if the State itself is still hinging on an out-dated and corrupted political base.

Kamal is a rationalist as well as a secularist; that is his diction. They go hand in hand for someone who is not only wanting to lead a state but completely overhaul its political systems – something that Tamil Nadu needed a VERY long time ago. This is new for Tamil Nadu. Experiencing a potential leader who does not follow any religion and openly declares this. Yet, Kamal is careful to not sound or seem unrelatable. He still supports the right to religion unlike most atheistic leaders whose aims are to completely alienate religion from politics and state matters. On Twitter, Kamal released his opinions on the current government’s budget for 2018-19 where he has commented, amongst other matters, on the lack of funding:

Rajini is doing what he knows he does best; keeping up with his on-screen mannerisms when he gives out speeches. He is aware that that is what entices the audience (emphasis on who he perceives as audience, not voters). At 16 minutes and 21 seconds during his speech on the day of MGR Statue opening ceremony, he states that he is their leader – a stark contrast to Kamal. Again, as has been for years within the political arena, the people of Tamil Nadu are being taught to look up to one individual and put all their trust in. This is Rajini’s diction: cinematic dialogues.

He states that he is entering politics because those who are currently in are not fulfilling their responsibilities. Therefore, he is wanting to work with the existing political system that is in place in Tamil Nadu and reach the best optimal point that delivers a fruitful governance; that is his setting. Albeit, it is quite unclear what exactly he means when he states responsibilities. What responsibilities is he truly intending to pinpoint? Kamal clearly identifies the responsibilities that is taken from the Social Contract Theory. In order for the people to (with full knowledge) agree with this statement of responsibilities not being fulfilled, Rajini needs to expose the responsibilities that he thinks is failing. Without this explicit detailed information we cannot deduce what a fruitful governance under his governance would be like. Because at the moment, the responsibilities that are not being fulfilled are subjective to his opinions and these subjective opinions may very well be to serve his (and his industry/clique’s) interests as opposed to the wider societal interests. What is even more absurd is that the masses that do support him are not themselves clear on what failing responsibilities that Rajini is criticising so again, we have the masses being re-conditioned to not think for themselves but rather place their blind trust in one individual. A blind trust cannot criticise or regulate. A blind trust cannot differentiate between lawfulness and unlawfulness. A blind trust cannot demand accountability. A blind trust cannot seek for transparency. This blindness is further intensified if the upcoming generation is told to not fully immerse themselves in politics. In stark contrast to Kamal, Rajini made one statement clear for the youth. On the day of the MGR statue opening ceremony, Rajini urged the youth to not fully delve into politics and focus completely on studies as well as ‘English’. He instructed the youth to learn English and speak in English with their friends wherever they can for this language is the language of the World, and in order to prosper in life you need to be able to have the skill to communicate with all corners of the World. Rajini focuses on economical prosperity of the youth whereby opportunities are sought not internally within Tamil Nadu but externally from foreign countries – especially the West. For temporary gain, this will work. Yet, for long-term improvement this will only induce a repetition of corruption again and again without a change in the thinking of the Tamil Nadu society.

There have been numerous times where in moments of urgent declarations, Rajini has omitted to comment. While he may have done a good deed behind cameras, that is not a characteristic of a governor rather a good Samaritan. The characteristic of a governor is not to state a declaration and let that ought to be the opinions of the wider society, rather to cement an open and moralistic path for the wider society to then formulate their own conclusions that they are aware must benefit the wider good.

Conclusion

Only if you evaluate an aspiring politician’s setting and diction can you properly evaluate their aims. If Kamal successfully even begins to implement his setting then his aims can provide to be a fruitful governance. For example, job opportunities can become not only rich in quantity but also in quality which provides stability, security and growth. With Rajini’s setting job opportunities will be threatened by the existing political parameters and therefore exposed to corruption (corruption of the businesses or the influence of political interests in job creation). However, this is very hard to assess at the time being because neither party has managed to release a manifesto. So I will leave this as a Part I with Part II to be continued.

Protected: Dissertation: Enforced Disappearance in Sri Lanka (2017).

Kali Yuga: Mankind at its Worst Behaviour.

Time. A man-made concept. Our measurement of Time is in reference to our Sun being at our Zenith. Time helps us organise our lives in a fair distribution of synchronisation across the globe, so that we may all experience the same relativity without drastic differences. Conversations, from micro- to macro-, are intrinsically understood more when we use references such as ‘yesterday’, ‘today’, and ‘tomorrow’. Time is de facto necessary for humanity to progress. Yet, this is where we stumble. Progress how? Under whose definition of ‘progress’ do we, as a human race, progress? Is our progression, whatever that aim may be, conditional or unconditional – does it depend on a limit? If so, is that limit man-made, or is it an external influence? No, are we the external ones? Is it Predestination? Is Time then truly necessary for progression? What does Kali Yuga think? If you know her, tell her I asked for her.

Hinduism and Buddhism has always been a spiritual fascination. Their touch transcends beyond our Earth and taps into the consciousness of the Universe, and bridge themselves between us and there. They only have one constraint: human consciousness whether that be in ignorance or a limitation in understanding. So time, as we know it under the Western thought, is not in a linear timeline based fashion. Rather, as a circle. Basically, time is you and you are time. What is a yuga? Dr Tigunait explains it as ‘distinct conjunctions in human culture and civilisation that characterise the collective consciousness as well as our individual experience.’ How many are there? Four conjunctions (yuga) in one complete cycle. These four conjunctions are then unequally split in length of time which will be calculated in tenths.

Satya Yuga – 4/10th (16/16 spirit power) = The Era of Truth (known as the Golden Age in Greek mythology). Peace. Tranquillity. This is Satya Yuga, where humans that live under this yuga are honest, virtuous, healthy, and loving. Abundance of resources, prosperity, and witnesses to a serene Mother Nature. Divine Will. Purity of idea and proximity of supreme thoughts is what dictates the works of mankind during this era for they are ruled by Gods and Gods alone. Goddess Dharma, depicted in the form of a bull, symbolises for morality, and it is only during this yuga that it stands on all four legs – this alone demonstrates the full force of morality that is prevalent where discrimination or injustice is non-existent since evil, jealousy, or greed are not possible emotions. This is because the four pillars of religion (truth, penance, charity, and religious sacrifice) are all complete and in full mechanism, and so knowledge, meditation and penance is what humans yearn for in this time. What must then be understood about this time is that mankind possess clarity. A clear and unobstructed vision of and for truth which in return breeds 100% pure consciousness that seeks for righteousness. The self of an individual is deeply connected with one another leading to a supreme blessedness through a connection with the universe. The next best thing to Heaven literally on Earth – Garden of Eden for example was during this yuga. Sounds luxurious doesn’t it? As you look around now, it is obvious that this Yuga is not forever. Sadly.

Treta Yuga – 3/10th (12/16 spirit power) = The Era of Intelligence (known as the Silver Age in Greek mythology). This is when mankind wanders into curiosity and then trespass into volatile territories searching for the unknown. This means low-scale challenges. Tensions. Rivalries. Leaders rising for dominance provoking anger against one another to safeguard the results of one’s curiosity. It is, then, no surprise that Goddess Dharma stands on three legs during this yuga, instead of four as in Satya Yuga. Morality has decreased amid humans. Consciousness reduced by 25% totalling pure consciousness at 75%. Although, humans have decreased spirituality they succeed in endeavours such as agriculture and mining. The recognition of death is still not an understanding here, rather the ‘spirit has left the body’ is as it was in Satya Yuga. Although, Mother Nature brings frequent climate change giving rise to deserts and vast oceans, it is here that humans truly get to experience and become aware of the full force of nature and thus the true face of the Universe. This could go either way as a challenge to know more through conscious rebellion towards purity of truth or as one that is ascending: purifying the intelligence of man by realising the superior principles of the Universe, Creator, Spirituality, and Truth. This yuga is still relatively the next best thing to Heaven on Earth since consciousness is at 75% regardless.

Dvapara Yuga – 2/10th (8/16 spirit power) = The Era of Doubt (know as the Bronze Age in Greek mythology). Goddess Dharma stands on two legs in this yuga where pure consciousness is at 50%. Mankind’s spiritual sync is fettered which in return affects consciousness. So when the spirit power dramatically decreases, it is to an extent where man no longer perceives oneself as a spirit but that as a mere body. Thus, the concept of physical death and its inevitable arrival comes to be the prevalent perception over the notion of spirit merely leaving the body. It is a common consensus that all other religions aside from Hinduism comes into the picture during this yuga. It makes sense since man cannot live without absolute peace when there exists more than one religion/faith. Although Hinduism is recognised now as a religion it was not then during the times of Satya and Treta Yuga. For two main reasons, one is that it needn’t to be identified as ‘a religion’ which otherwise suggests plurality of religions. Hinduism, or whatever it was known as then, existed solely without challenge. Second reason is that humans do not really have to ‘pray’, ‘worship’, or ‘ritualise’ their belief in Satya or Treta Yuga. While they acknowledge a higher supreme being, they did not feel inferior to it (or ignorant of it for that matter). Rather, they acknowledge that they are a part of that supreme being – this is the indication of 100% consciousness. So, the Era of Intelligence is led by curiosity consequently giving rise to the Era of Doubt where group identifications occur. This is how greed, lust, anger, and love for materialism prevails as a consequence to lowered consciousness. This yuga is the beginning of the next worst thing to Hell on Earth.

Kali Yuga – 1/10th (4/16 spirit power) = The Era of Immorality (known as the Iron Age in Greek mythology). Goddess Dharma stands on one leg. Man’s consciousness, knowledge and power is confined to gross matter and so importance is given to materialism with purity of consciousness having gone down to a mere 25%. Sanctity, not quality, of life has vastly diminished. Matrix of wars that are connected with one another influenced by indirect occurrences happen here. It is not as simple as ‘we will battle fairly’ which is itself some form of consciousness. Rather, wars here are strategical irrespective of code of conduct or fairness. Since mankind becomes so infatuated with materialistic possessions and values they become blind to the injustice and immoral ways that surrounds them whatever the reasons may be. Mankind here are ruled by themselves and themselves only. They choose the rules. Rules as far away from non-materialistic principles as possible which ultimately points to wealth as being the supreme indication of a person’s good birth. Superficiality and deceit are the predominant themes here. Mother Nature shows her wrath through merciless climate change. This time is the peak of mankind at its worst behaviour. The completion of Hell on Earth. However, upon completion towards the end of this yuga consciousness is ascending meaning moving away from materialism and towards spirituality (this will be explained further later).

Too much information to process? I know. To help, there exists various kinds of illustrations of the yuga cycles for you to perceive in a way that you can understand:

You can perceive the yuga cycless as a Sinus Wave where it involves both the descending and the ascending of consciousness. As the image shows, the Kali Yuga is located at the bottom with the smallest coverage (corresponding to its 1/10th length of time) where consciousness is at its lowest. At the top is the Satya Yuga with the highest coverage (corresponding to its 4/10th length of time) where consciousness is at its highest. Mankind will experience this cycle in two formats: 1) where consciousness becomes challenged, and 2) where consciousness becomes attained.

Here is another one with more detailed information.

Alternatively, you can perceive the yuga cycles as circular motion. The second image depicts an Ouroboros which is an ancient symbol of a serpent/dragon eating its own tail (snake now in our times). So, the cycle is continuous without change in its blueprint and repeats itself over and over again; up and down and up and then down again and so on.

: Brahma Kumaris Time Cycle

This illustration is controversial as the timing does not seem to correlate with historical global events such as the dinosaur saga. However, the timing aside, the rest of the illustration is useful in depicting the four yuga divisions and the introductions of Earth’s top religions.

Corresponding Opportunistic Scientific Explanations.

Matter. Energy. Effect.

You. Me. Trees. Air. And everything else on Earth both living and non-living are made up of matter. Matter is defined as that which has mass and takes up space. That is everything belonging to Earth. What is not matter is sound, time, microwaves, sunlight, heat, reflections, energy etc (ThoughtsCo). That brings us to energy. This is difficult to define satisfyingly as Cosmos explain, but obviously I am sure you know what I am talking about. How I see it is as the limbo between matter and effect. That middle part. This brings us to effect. An influence, determination, causation, change in situation that that matter was initially in. How does this link to the yuga cycles? There must be an explanation – however absurd it may be – for the changes that occur across the yuga cycles. Energy, where is it coming from?

Besides the light from our own Sun, we also receive light from the center of the galaxy, the galactic Sun. Much of the light of this greater Sun, however, is not in visible frequencies. Some astronomers have suspected a central galactic light, like that of a quasar, whose light may be obscured by dust or nebulae in the region of the galactic center. According to Vedic astrology, the light from this galactic source has a special influence upon Earth. It nourishes and sustains intelligence in human beings. This is not the materialistic intellect but true intelligence, the capacity to perceive the real or divine spirit in things and act according to the Divine Will.

– D. Frawley (1992), ‘The Astrology of Seers: A Comprehensive Guide to Vedic Astrology’.

The bright white centre is the Galactic Sun.

Are we always receiving this optimal energy from the Galactic Sun? No. The Universe is beautiful to extents beyond our knowledge, and on the same recognition it is also powerfully destructive:

This is a black hole. “A place in space where gravity pulls so much that even light cannot escape. The gravity is so strong because matter has been squeezed into a tiny space. This can happen when a star is dying.” (NASA).

The Oort cloud (still a working theory): “A thick bubble of icy debris surrounding our solar system.” (NASA). Depending on how powerful any gravitational pull is debris, comets etc will, and has have before, be hurled towards Earth. Dinosaurs? Yes.

The Mother of all Theories – Our Sun’s Evil Companion Named ‘Nemesis’

The first image is an illustration of binary stars (this include the sun as suns are stars). A study was conducted by researchers from Harvard & California on Perseus, a gas-filled cloud home to stars which included suns. The results were that it was home to many stars that had been formed alongside its twin at birth. Binary stars may either stay together throughout the test of the Universe or separate. So what does this mean? That our Sun may also have a twin, or have had a twin. Why the curiosity? It matters because every 26 million years a mass extinction has been recorded to take place on Earth indicating a pattern. A pattern indicates a causation. What or who is that causation is the question. Could it be this twin Sun? (The Article).

Links to articles for you to read and make up your own mind on whether you perceive this theory as plausible or not:

The Atlantic (2017) = https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/06/two-is-better-than-oh-wait/530676/
Space (2017) = https://www.space.com/22538-nemesis-star.html
Owlcation (2017) = https://owlcation.com/stem/Nemesis-Is-there-a-Second-Sun-in-the-Solar-System
W. Cruttenden (2005), ‘Lost Star of Myth and Time’ = https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/114504.Lost_Star_of_Myth_and_Time

What does this all mean? These three identifications are a few out of many to illustrate that Earth’s consciousness fluctuates between high and low points dependent on whatever goes on in the solar system.

So basically, Satya Yuga corresponds to when Earth is receiving 100% light from both the Sun and the Galactic Sun (white light in the middle of our Milky Way Galaxy) without obstructions or external influences. Kali Yuga corresponds to when our Earth is receiving obstructed light instead. It is being said amongst Vedic astrologers that it is this light that determines human consciousness.

The length of the Yuga Cycles varies as different scholars adopt different interpretations, yet this is the widely accepted data:

: Read more here: http://www.newdawnmagazine.com/articles/when-does-the-kali-yuga-end

We are in Kali Yuga now but on the ascending plane. We will, and are facing deterioration yet we do so with opportunities giving into consciousness. The Bhagavata Purana is Hinduism’s one of eight great histories widely acknowledged to have been written in South India by learned Brahmin scholars approximately 1800 B.C. (inconclusive). It contains ancient knowledge on atomic work, relativity of time, time travel, embryology, genetics, cloning etc. Canto 12 (chapter 12) is on the Age of Deterioration; Kali Yuga. It predicts symptoms and events that will occur during this yuga: diminishing of religions (12.2.1), political corruption for power (12.2.7), respect given upon wealth (12.2.5), men will stop taking care of their parents (12.3.42) etc. – Bhagavata.org

You may say that we are at the peak of our development as a species. That proliferation of technology advancement must mean we are on the right course – and we are. Our best asset as humans is our brains unmatched by any other creatures on Earth. Our ancestors have adopted countless times to ensure the survival of our species to a point where we are now in the position to even leave Earth and venture into space itself. Laws, political codes, social reforms, psychological understanding, medical revolutions cements our footprint on Earth more so than we have ever done in the past.

Yet, quality of life is not the same as sanctity of life. Both are two different understandings of what life is. You’re getting it now. The former is materialism based, and the latter is consciousness based. Why cannot we have both? We can but that is the issue – we do not restrict ourselves or sense the importance to balance the two. The imperative to attain mental power has almost vanished owing to our greed in pleasures that we can see, touch, and gain easily. Our mental power allows us to connect with humans around the world, or at the very least value their beings and accept them as amongst us. Now, although we have advanced greatly in human rights and formed international shields (U.N./E.U./SAARC/BRICS etc), we see rise in genocides, ethnic cleansings, civil wars, corporate takeover etc. That is the difference between sanctity of life and quality of life.

Nevertheless, remember. I said we are in the ascending part of the Yuga Cycle. We are in the process of attaining high consciousness. Here is an excerpt of D. Frawley’s article in Vedanet which explains this:

Harmonization with the Galactic Center

An important cosmic event is occurring now. The winter solstice is now at a point of conjunction with the galactic center. There is some doubt as to the exact location of this point. I would place it at 06º 40′ Sagittarius, or the middle of the nakshatra Mula. Depending upon the ayanamsha one uses, this conjunction may be occurring either right now or in the next few decades. The same event appears mirrored in the calendric calculations of the Maya, a culture that shared many practices with the Vedic people.

This indicates a harmonization of humanity with the Divine will as transmitted from the galactic center. The new spiritual thinking of today may be a result of this attunement process, which insists that we enter into a new ascending age of light and cast off the shadows of the dark ages of strife and dissention. Though some global shock and suffering must be endured, the outcome can only be ultimately for the good. We should have faith in the Divine will behind this process and not give in to the despair that the present state of the world must evoke in us. Though we may not be quickly ushered into an age of enlightenment, much positive growth will occur. A shift in history as significant as any to date will be experienced, with a movement from darkness to light and a new seeking of consciousness.

By the accounts of ancient thinkers like Plato, the flood that destroyed Atlantis and ended the Ice Age occurred about 9300 BCE (9000 years before Plato). This was when the summer solstice was in conjunction with the galactic center, a point completely opposite the one today. Such new cataclysms are possible in the coming century, particularly as we continue to disrupt and destroy our ecosystem. More reverence for the cosmic powers would be a good thing for our culture. We live under cosmic laws, which, having violated, we must suffer for. It was not just superstition that caused the ancients to tremble before God and beg his mercy. It was such experiences of global retribution that we may yet also see. Unless we learn to respect our planet, nature, other creatures and spiritual teachings, we as a species may have to undergo a great purification that will not be pleasant for anyone.

– Vedanet (June, 2017).

Links to read more on this topic:

– Selbie, J., & Steinmetz, D., (2011). ‘The Yugas: Key to Understanding Our Hidden Past, Emerging Present and Future Enlightenment’. (https://www.amazon.com/Yugas-Understanding-Emerging-Present-Enlightenment/dp/1565892534)

– Simpson, S., (2011). ‘Through Many Lives: A Tale of Time Travel Through the Yugas’. (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33991952-through-many-lives?from_search=true)

– Evola, J., (1995). ‘Revolt Against the Model World: Politics, Religion, and Social Order in the Kali Yuga’. (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Revolt-Against-Modern-World-Politics/dp/089281506X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505817943&sr=8-1&keywords=kali+yuga).

– Panigrahy, K. K., et al (2002). Ethnobiological Analysis From Myth to Science: IV. Kaliyuga – The Descending Human Ethical Environment. (http://www.krepublishers.com/02-Journals/JHE/JHE-13-0-000-000-2002-Web/JHE-13-4-257-02-Abst-PDF/JHE-13-4-263-02-Panigrahy-K-K/JHE-13-4-263-02-Panigrahy-K-K-Tt.pdf)

– Yukteswar, S., (1894 – republished 1949). ‘The Holy Science’. (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/928524.Holy_Science).

Como Shambhala ♥

Your Body Your Temple; Your Mind Your Sanctuary.

Amma has a back problem that she has had for a very long time owing to an accident at work a few years back. She has been to India twice for treatment in Kerala at an Ayurvedic stay-in location. This has given better positive results when compared to our NHS; the reasons are irrelevant. Fact is, it comes down to herbal remedies over corporate drug remedies any day if operations are not required. And, this is where body oils specialised by Como Shambhala comes in. I was shopping online one day and came across these oils. I did a few research about Como Shambhala and thought I have to give this a try – so glad I did!

Como Shambhala is a chain of hotels, resorts, and retreat centres. Their mantra advocates for proactive holistic wellness, combining modern science with ancient healing. They follow a philosophy with inspiration stemming from mythological roots; in ancient Buddhist texts ‘Shambhala’ refers to a sacred place of serenity and bliss.

The first centre was started in the private island of Turks and Caicos in a place called Parrot Cay. The owner, Mrs Christina Ong, has successfully developed the brand in which the company now owns 8 retreats and 5 urban escape sanctuaries across Asia, Europe, and America – the most popular one being the Como Shambhala Estate in Bali, Indonesia. Looking at the pictures below is no wonder it is the most popular one! (definitely have to take Amma one day!).

Jamie Beck & Kevin Burg visit Bali’s natural wonders resort Como Shambhala in Ubud.

They also have two branches in COMO Metropolitan London (Mayfair) and COMO The Halkin London (Belgravia) with prices ranging between £200 – £700 per night depending on time of season. The Estate in Bali is also around the same price mark.

COMO Metropolitan London (Mayfair):

mm847_CSUE Como Shambhala Urban Escape at the Metroplolitan Hotel London

COMO The Halkin London (Belgravia):

The Body Oils

Aside from oils, they also specialise in body care (lotions, shower gels, scrubs, bath salt, bath milk, hand wash, and soaps), hair care (shampoo and conditioners), and clothing which are targeted for active living such as yoga wear, bags, hats, and shoes.

Their specialisation resides in aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is:

the practice of using natural oils extracted form flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots or other parts of a plant to enhance psychological and physical well-being.

The inhaled aroma from these “essential” oils is widely believed to stimulate brain function. Essential oils can also be absorbed through the skin, where they travel through the bloodstream and can promote whole-body healing.

– Aromatherapy

This is the unsurprisingly the best part: the oils produced by Como Shambhala are free from harmful substances. Sodium Laurel Sulphate, parabens, silicones, and synthetic substances including artificial colour and fragrance are no where near these divine products. The oils that you can buy online are the same oils as used at their retreat centres which varies from blended essential oils, massage oils, body oils, and balms.

I got mine from Beauty Bay which retails around £12.00 for 50ml and £15-£18 for 100ml. Amma loves these so much that it is now a routine that I massage her back with these oils every night when she goes to sleep. She explains it creates a warm feeling which although is massaged onto one spot can be felt all over the body. Her back muscles relieve tension making her to relax and sleep easier. Although, it contains no added fragrance the natural aroma of the oils mixed are so sensual. Each aroma is appropriate for what the oil is intended to do: Invigorate (feel refreshed and ready) which contains eucalyptus and peppermint, calm (relieve mental stress and relax) which contains lavender and thyme, comfort (relieve physical tension and relax) which contains lavender, nutmeg and cedarwood. These three are the most popular kinds while they also have other focuses such as shelter, harmony, and purify.

All oils claiming to possess the essence of peace may seem to all contain the same thing and so sound very monotone where no one brand is truly standing out. This, however, I believe to be unique. Try it and let me know how you found it!

Hair Oil Routine: Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, & Amla Oil ♥

Teasing, backcombing, and bleaching are words synonymous with my teenage years when it comes to my hair. My hair was, and still is, my pride. Not even makeup. My hair. So I would do whatever I needed to do to achieve the hairstyle I wanted. As a result, I lost a great deal of hair. Hard times. BUT, it is all goooood now. My hair today is healthy, thicker, and much stronger (even without the occasional teasing). How? Because of this oil routine. I use three oils in one sitting:

1. Coconut Oil

I am sure this oil is no surprise. I recommend getting the ‘extra virgin coconut oil’ if you can get yours hands on it, otherwise pure coconut oil is good. I got this because I had no other choices or places to go in Lancaster (a small town where I went for university). The best aspect about coconut oil is its penetrating ability of the hair follicle where it can effectively remove the build-up of sebum (Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005), thus preventing hair breakage (ibid, 1999). Sebum production is the release of natural oil from the sebaceous glands onto scalp to prevent dryness and keep your hair moisturised. However, too much of this can cause hair loss owing to build-up. The antibacterial properties is what also prevents the infections of hair follicles hence why this oil is hailed to promote hair growth. Coconut oil contains high concentration of vitamins which is great for shiny and healthier hair!

2. Amla Oil

I get my Amla oil from Dabur in the ‘Gold’ version just because it also has Almond oil and Henna (Almond is similar to Amla oil). Amla is an Indian Gooseberry found in the Indian subcontinent and in the Middle East.

Image result for amla gooseberry — *Emblica Officinalis*

Just like coconut oil, this oil is also high in essential fatty acids as well as nutrient contents: iron, vitamin A & C, fibre, potassium, calcium, and magnesium – vital goodness for shiny and strong hair strands! (Dillon, x). While henna does moisturise hair, it also lightens the hair a shade or two over time. If you rather not have this, then you can purchase the original package which only contains amla oil.

If you want, you can switch this oil with similar other oils: Almond oil; Jojoba oil; Olive oil; Argan oil; & Peppermint oil. All of these oils, including Amla, contribute as a moisturiser thus making hair shiny.

3. Castor Oil.

My most favourite holy grail. The oil that gave me my eyebrows back, *a minute silence for eternal gratitude*. Castor Oil comes from the castor plant known botanically as Ricinus Communis a native to India, Easter Africa, and the Mediterranean Basin.

VERY HIGH in anti-fungal properties, it removes concentrated dirt, build-up, infections as well as preventing them. It has a 90% fatty acid content called ricinoleic acid which balances PH of the scalp explaining its super effectiveness in almost ‘resetting’ your scalp void of everyday products. It boosts the growth rate by 3-5x depending upon its use, and I vouch for this! Trust me when I say that this oil would be one of the things I would grab if my house was on fire (although, you should not take anything and leave immediately).

Try to get your hands on the African Black Castor oil. Why? This version is much richer in the fatty acids identified above.

The Steps:

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I start with 3 teaspoon of Amla oil, and then two teaspoon of Coconut oil. If your coconut oil is liquid as opposed to solid then I suggest 3-4 teaspoon. Mix this until all solids have dissolved.
Into a separate small cup/bowl, measure 1 teaspoon of Castor oil.
Before lathering the first mix of Amla and Coconut oil onto your hair, some people choose to warm it up slightly whether on the hob or in the microwave for 20seconds. I do not do this, instead I massage the oil to create that slight warmth. This is entirely up to you! When lathering onto your hair, make sure you get all hair strands especially down at the ends, the ends are usually where minerals and vitamins are lacking – especially if you are an avid hair straighteners user!
After this, get Castor oil onto your fingertips and massage directly onto your roots only. Castor oil is a very heavy substance, so if you put too much of it then it will take more than one shower to remove it completely. I once did this and had to take 3 showers to fully cleanse my scalp. This is why I prefer to massage it onto my scalp and roots only. Alternatively, you can instead mix it with the coconut and amla oil formula and apply it all over your head and hair. This will take much less time, and lower the risk of putting too much castor oil!
Massage, massage, massage. Circulation of the oil around your scalp sets a warmth motion of a good blood circulation. This is the key to get the most from the oils.
Tie your hair up into a bun or wear a shower cap/bandana to keep it all in one place and in warmth.
I tend to leave the oil on for over night or a full day to get the most out of it. Otherwise, you can just leave it on for 2-3 hours at minimum.

Repeat this at least once a week and after at least a fortnight you will see results! Happy hair care! xo

Links

Castor Oil 100ml, £7.00 – goo.gl/LoCFay. // Jamaican Black Castor Oil 8oz (220ml), £9.00 – goo.gl/wwUEmG. // Or, go to Asian/Black/Muslim stores for the KTC Castor Oil which is typically between £1.50-£2 for 250ml.

Dabur Amla Oil Original (w/o Henna & Almond) 200ml, £3.49 at Superdrugs – goo.gl/bwHGRk. For the Gold version (w/ Henna & Almond), 200ml, £3.99 – goo.gl/rB8Gjt.

Pure Coconut Oil 175ml, £3.97 – goo.gl/VvD3Lq. // Raw Organic Virgin Coconut Oil 500ml, £5.97-10 – goo.gl/YZ2Soa. // Otherwise, you will for sure find some in Asian/Black/Muslim stores though it is for pretty much around the same price so the raw organic oil linked just before this one is better if it is still on sale (even if it is not, it is still the better one).

Requested Topic – Hurricanes of America vs Floods of South Asia: Link Between Coverage and Perception.

No lives are worth more than another. No matter the cruciality of debates can the dignity of any lives be lessened.

The Americans =

Hurricane Harvey death toll at 70 (as of 7th September 2017) | Hurricane Irma death toll at 23 (as of 9th September 2017) with Hurricane Jose imminent.
Education System: 200 Houston Schools damaged.
Health Concerns: Potential polluted air, contaminated waters, and ‘mosquitoes’. Masks are available at supply stores, and affected cases are few in numbers.
Environmental Concerns: Toxic/Hazardous Waste Sites located within flood-zone. Measures have been, and are being, taken to secure sites.
Infrastructure: Safe structures built in safe grounds with robust materials.
Key Samaritans: The UK Government pledged to double public donations made with the British Red Cross for victims of Hurricane Irma (at 13.00pm on 09/09/17). | The British Army and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary delivering aid directly in The Caribbean.| Facebook, Google, Coca-Cola, HCA Healthcare UK (amongst non-global US companies) have each pledged between $1-10million. | Corporate Giants (including employee donation programmes) pledged $65million.

South Asia =

Flooding and Monsoon rains death toll at 1400 across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh (as of 09/09/17).
Education System: 18,000 Schools destroyed across the three countries.
Health Concerns: 13,000 people caught respiratory infections and sick with diarrhea in Bangladesh. 66,000+ cases of illnesses reported in Nepal. 17 million children in dire need of basic nutrition in India.
Environmental Concerns: Hectares of Crops in its Millions Obliterated across South Asia. Large areas of land submerged causing difficulty for aid access.
Infrastructure: Shelters, houses, businesses, hospitals are all built in weak soils and/or with weak materials.
Key Samaritans: Scottish Government donates £300,000 from emergency fund (09/09/17). | The EU provided €200,000. | UN Humanitarian Agencies bring in water, food, shelter, and medical supplies. | The UK Department for International Development allocated £400,000 to the Nepal Red Cross Society and assistance in Bangladesh. | Facebook and Google pledged $1million each towards relief efforts across South Asia.

You are starting to understand now. Some of those are information that you already knew, some you did not. The information that you did not know have a theme running: South Asia. It is not your fault. It is the fault of the mere-basic-titles, and thus lack of, coverage by the media on South Asia. There is a positive correlation between media coverage and public perception (perception has more subconscious tendancies than opinion imo (and that was a conscious opinion)). With or without a study link you would know this anyway – what era is a better era than the 21st Century to witness this correlation; a century dominated by technology with independent-conscience running in second to that. Here are a few that escaped:

The contrast between the coverage of floods in Texas and floods in South Asia is stark. – Lynne Edwards, New Quay, Ceredigon.

Can we assume that the UK media values an American life at 80 times that of an Asian one? – Peter Williams, Heaton Moor, Stockport.

America is a rich country and will cope, despite inept leadership. Or are we saying that American lives are worth more? – Susan Howe, Ross on Wye, Herefordshire.

The Guardian Letters.

So it is clear. More coverage on the American natural disasters and a few odd ones here and there of the South Asian natural disasters. Yet, it is not just the lack of coverage in comparison. It is also the kind of coverage in comparison. While reading through numerous articles across various media platforms one crucial aspect stood out to me: the tone of articulation. The writing styles differed. The articles, live reports, and TV coverings emphasised more information about the natural disaster whether it be the hurricane’s name, its mph calculation, or characterisation of the hurricane:

“Winds of up to 160mph smashed into Cuba’s northern coast. Irma (notice the absence of ‘Hurricane‘) has now been downgraded to a Category 3, but is forecast to restrengthen.” – Independent.

‘Demolished by Irma, Barbuda braces for Hurricane Jose’ – CNN.

‘Hurricane Harvey likely to be one of the costliest natural disasters on record for the US economy.’ – Business Insider.

Compare this with the tone of articulation for the South Asian floods:

‘South Asia floods kill 1200 and shut 1.8 million children out of school’ – The Guardian.

‘South Asia floods: Estimated 40 million across India, Bangladesh, Nepal affected’ – ABC.

‘Floods devastate South Asian countries (…) The wet monsoons normally bring some flooding.’ – Workers.

‘They Thought the Monsoons Were Calm. Then Came the Deadly Floods.’ – NY Times.

‘Indian floods: Families devastated after unprecedented monsoon season. (…) The crisis has had relatively little worldwide coverage, with news organisations more focused on hurricanes on the other side of the world. But both are linked to changing weather patterns due to climate change that are expected to drive more extreme weather in the years to come.’ – ITV.

What does this matter? The tone of articulation when we read the news of the South Asian floods is that of distance. Something is happening somewhere so someone should (not need) do something somehow. Workers above, and they are not the only ones, even implanted the (missguided) recognition of normality. That flooding during monsoon seasons are a normal occurrence whereby this time it seemed to have surpassed the expectations, expectations which should have been revisited and taken measures for (so they are essentially asking whose fault is it for not seeing this coming). ITV even stated about the lack of coverage on the South Asian floods yet its coverage itself was minimal with this statement taking up a quarter of the article! Gosh!

The coverage of the U.S. hurricanes – and that too on a concentrated level – elicits intimacy and the eventual condition of familiarity from its audience. Intimacy because the hurricanes were identified by their names – literally. Had I read that Irma had been downgraded to category 3 on its own I would have thought of a prison inmate being shifted to a prison cell with a tin bucket for a toilet. Constant use of adjectives like ‘smash’, ‘restrengthen’, ‘demolish’ etc paints a picture in our minds of the hurricane without needing to actually be there physically. The eventual condition of familiarity installs a strong and sharp illustration in ours minds. So when we see only the words ‘Hurricane *name*’ we see it automatically as a dangerous phenomenon without the necessity for accompanying adjectives or description. What illustration comes to your mind when I say South Asian floods?

Okay. But what impact does this have on our perceptions? Perhaps, more compassion towards one over the other? Debatable. More coverage interest of the masses of one over the other? Most certainly. IRIN reported after quantifying data that the U.S. media’s coverage of the hurricanes is at 160 times more than that of the Asian floods. Non-U.S. media’s coverage of the hurricanes overtook its satisfactory coverage of the Asian floods at about the same time as the U.S. media started its intense coverage of the hurricanes. Some say the U.S. has every right to prioritise its home disasters. Well, yes but when you are determined to possess the global limelight you ought to do that and more. European media coverage of topics usually aligns itself with the issues the U.S. is covering, owing to as I stated before: matrix of influence. The rest of the World? An aggravated victim. What about the a perception of duty to act for one over the other? GlobalGiving which is fundraising money for both cases has seen $12,000 being raised for the South Asian flood organisations whereas for the Harvey Fund alone it raised $1.69 million. So yes, it seems like it.

Although, this still does not answer the ‘why’ of there being more coverage of one over the other in the first place. Do there exists perceptions prior to these collateral post-coverage perceptions?

Economy: The first connection that flashed before me as I researched was the economic damage that a hurting America would unleash globally. Market Watch have reported that the shut down of ports and refineries in the U.S. Gulf Coast (Houston, Texas, Mexico etc) contributed to the shortfall of fuel in Europe as well as the increase in diesel prices. Yet, on the flip-side of business opportunity, Europe has been negotiating and taking bookings from the U.S. to ship gasoline. Financial Times states this led to tanker earnings soaring six-fold in a day ($3500:$20,000). We all know how globally connected the oil industry is, and the influence this will have on markets across capitals of the World. Read this article by Bloomberg on American GDP and inflation for a more illustrative idea on the global matrix of influence. In contrast, the floods of South Asia affects no other countries or economies other than their own.

Celebrities: Another flashing connection was globally known U.S. celebrities getting involved. Come on, who would not write the same exact article covering the impact of the hurricane as it already has been done so by almost every media platforms to tell your audience that you know who BEYONCE is?! Here are Beyonce’s biggest fans:

– BBC: ‘Beyonce launches Hurricane Harvey fundraising plans’ That too with a picture of Beyonce singing, not a picture of Beyonce with the hurricane victims (which there are many).

– Independent: ‘Hurricane Harvey: Beyonce pledges to help victims affected Houston floods‘ This writer really wanted to publish this article before anyone else did that they even forgot how to grammar.

Other celebrities:

– HuffPost: ‘Beyonce, The Kardashians, and Sandra Bullock Lead Stars Donating‘

– BBC: ‘DiCaprio, Bullock, Hart and more dig deep‘ $1million donated by Leonardo DiCaprio and Sandra Bullock towards Hurricane victims.

– The Jakarta Post (Oh, Indonesia): ‘Miley Cyrus latest celebrity to donate to Harvey relief‘.

And for South Asia? It is either my incompetency to research or the even more unfortunate news of there being nothing. No celebrity donations or fundraising initiatives reported within South Asian or non-South Asian celebrities towards the South Asian natural disasters by any major media platforms.

Symbolism: Also known as Instrumental Value. The gesture of an act is what overrides the act itself. Let us be honest, does America really need the British troops to personally hand-deliver aid? Nepal really does. Not America.They know this. The thought and the personal gesture stands as a political statement by the U.K. to the U.S. that the U.K. will, despite any recent disagreements which they have had e.g. Climate Change/Russian Affairs, stand by the U.S. in times of its needs. The press will pick up on this yet not directly report it as ‘only for symbolic purposes and not because you really need this aid’. The mainstream press do not report reality or meanings, rather they report motions. And these political and economic motions are recurring more often with America than any other country. U.K. and U.S. have always politically been best friends. But what about the rest of the world whose coverage on America proliferates more than reports of their own issues?* The US is ~~like~~ the Godfather for the political and economic world. Whatever goes on in that country does not stay in that country because it affects everyone – including Trump’s Florida resorts it seems: ‘How Hurricanes and sea-level rise threaten Trump’s Florida resorts’ (The Guardian) (Prayers have been answered).

The global symbolic limelight that America possesses is unmatched by South Asia when it comes to political and economical power cards.

We still have a problem. We now have an idea of why there is a concentration of coverage on one over the other. We have explored how this builds the perception of the audience. Yet, the question now follows as to why there has not been much resistance to this from any angle?

I believe that that answer resides within South Asia itself. *The website of Times of In dia do not have any news reporting the South Asian disasters on their main page, but instead have Hurricane Irma as their first left-eye trick catching post. The same of Hindustan Times and other major media platforms. Are they tired of the same news that regularly occurs on their continent year after year seeing as though South Asia has seen floods for the past couple of years. Where are the big Bollywood stars? Or large Indian corporations? Could it be some sort of general unspoken consensus throughout South Asia as to the cause of the disastrous effects. You see, a natural disaster happening is up to Mother Nature. Being prepared pre- and post- floods by procedures and measures is up to the governments and large corporations. Corruption is the single core reason why South Asia is not developed as optimally as they can be with the amount of external aid/donations they receive (amongst other internal growth e.g. education output and economic growth). Could it be that the Western media sense this and choose not to interfere (unlike their governments) or aggravate the situation leading to the blame-game. It could be a combination of these reasons and those explored above. Whatever the reasons, implicit or explicit, none are helping the people of South Asia.

Lessons: True. The media does have the stage when it comes to showcasing issues and deciding how much coverage should go depending on the topic. But the switch for the lights and the rope for the theatre curtains are in the palms of the people. Maybe it is not your fault, but maybe it is your choice. You decide.

Requested Topic: The Tension between Tamils & Interracial Relationships.

It is okay to express an opinion. It is, however, not okay to utilise that very opinion as a weapon to interfere with another’s life. Yet, I want to clarify a point to my generation. The mere expression of an opinion is not itself a violation of your right. Chill. There is no need to become defensive so soon. It is our responsibility to reach out as to why they are not supportive. When I say ‘they’ I mean our parents’, grandparents’, or a different species’ (arguably the same thing really isn’t it) generation. Oh, I heard you. Why is it our responsibility. Well, because whether we like it or not it is us who are stepping outside the dominant safe zone of our culture into Satan’s ground (I’m on their side on this one. Chips & curry?! Frozen briyani from Morrisons?! Crop tops longer than our saree blouses?! Get outta here!). We have the best of both worlds. We got to grow up with two different cultures: our national/host country and our root-country. So we have the upper hand in witnessing the different beauties of our World. They didn’t. They grew up in one culture that they subconsciously swore loyalty towards, to then be forced into (indirectly) swearing loyalty towards another. Recognise the difference: the absence of force in our situation,* and the presence of it in theirs. We cannot expect them to see or feel how we do about interracial relationships (or other 21st Century modern thoughts for that matter). Simply because we did not go through what they went through and they are not experiencing what we are experiencing.

That is the necessary foundation I wanted to get across to you before anything else. It is not a lecture. I’m just letting you know that no matter what, ultimately you have the upper hand – so relax. The most I have heard – and I may be completely ignorant or wrong on this, so I apologise – as a consequence of being in an interracial relationship is being ousted from the family home as well as the family circle. But in a circle the beginning meets the end where the end meets the beginning. They will eventually come around. Perhaps, a different version of the parent(s) you knew, yet their love will not have decreased. This post is not going to criticise anyone or corner a particular group of our society. Not at all progressive. Instead, I am going to attempt to bring clarity as to why sections of our Tamil society in the form of our parents instantly turn negative to the idea of interracial relationships, and how you, those who are in an interracial relationship and those who are not, can deal with that.

So why is there tension with the majority of Tamils and the idea of interracial relationships? The first thought that came into my mind was loyalty. Every race – even the Europeans no matter how much they preach about diversity – possess at least the barest ounce of loyalty to their own. It is natural. To favour your own over others. Not because it is truly what one wants to do but it stands, usually, as an insurance policy. Just in-case. What if the ‘other’ turned against you? You have to have a group that you identify with to have the chance of survival. Animalistic? Well yes, have you ever seen a zebra, a giraffe, a lion, and a hippopotamus all in the same herd? Madagascar does not count. Until we face major threats beyond the human race e.g. Alien invasion, the whole #onehumanrace unity will be nothing more than adorable. This swearing of loyalty tends to be concentrated in South Asia because of the heavy competition that dominates in those countries to see who becomes the most ‘advanced-as-the-Europeans’ (amongst other reasons such as colonialism but that will only start me off on a never-ending rant so we gon’ nicely skip that). The racial identity as the badge of honour is concentrated over there. Highly concentrated in Sri Lanka owing to the civil war – the ethnic war! Tamils vs Sinhalas. They grew up with that mentality! They had to. This ethnic polarisation – irrespective of which side they supported or whether they truly did support any side – shaped their mentality. A much needed insurance policy. I am not saying that this is right. But I am not saying that this is wrong either because I did not have to survive through a bloody war involving the very essence of my identity (my skin colour, my name, my mother-tongue, my culture). Lord knows on what spectrum my animalistic behaviour may have been on. Remember, even an innocent rose has its thorns. So what is the solution? Your reassurance. If you want your parents to support you, you need to reassure them that you will never leave their side. I will illustrate what I mean, because I do not mean to leave your partner if your parents asks you to pick between them or your partner. I have two uncles in my family (my mother’s two younger brothers) who are in interracial relationships. They went through a hell of a lot before my grandparents eventually accepted them. 7/8 years or longer. You wait. You wait for as long as it requires. You do not leave your partner but you do not leave your parents either. You take their bullets. You take their anger, their sorrows, their tears, and even their silence. You pester them. Send them flowers on random days. Upgrade their Vijay TV subscription. Call them. Do good deeds in their name. Their resistance will run out one day. That, sweetheart, is how you swear on your loyalty for them.

But what if they say that we are tarnishing the Tamil culture. That we are playing a part in losing it. And please do not take this lightly, I beg you. Remember, we did not go through what they went through. 30 years of civil war with thousands of losses both population wise and heritage wise will almost feel like God’s wrath. Even Tamil Nadu is slowly starting to forget how to spell Tamil in Tamil. They have every right to ask you that question. I am not going to lecture to you how important our Tamil identity is. At the end of the day I cannot force it on you. I can try but it becomes artificial at some point. Instead, I am going to just tell you, for those who do not care, to at least pretend to care for the Tamil identity when speaking to your parents. For example, that you will try to teach your partner or mixed children Tamil. Some of you may not like this and prefer to be honest. Except, humans have acknowledged that a lie can also be a white lie for a reason. At the very least, you are making your parents feel that you are recognising their struggles in the fight to cherish the Tamil identity, easing them to eventually accept your interracial relationship. Wrong? No. Calculative? Yes, do you want your parents’ acceptance or not? Alternatively, for those of you who are brave enough can just say that it is what it is. Maybe the slow forgetfulness of an identity is for the best in preserving that identity. Look at how well preserved Latin, Sanskrit, and Aramaic are. I mean, Tamil has already been altered from its original composition (shout out to Tamil Nadu). This is what naturally happens as sociology and evolution determines. Though, this is a VERY far fetched argument and you may get a sandal thrown at you or a wooden spoon chasing after you so get a lawyer to send a summon instead.

Fear. They fear that they will not be able to communicate with your partner and their grandchildren. This is exactly how my grandparents feel. And I still occasionally ask my grandmother what the baby grandchildren’s difficult-to-pronounce names are (for no other purposes except research). It’s okay Ammamma, it’s okay. I don’t know how to pronounce those tongue-twisting Scandinavian Norse mythological names either. Also, for some mothers it’s the sadness that they cannot fully exercise their role in the cliche ‘mami vs marumagal’ (mother-in-law vs daughter-in-law) battles more than anything – BUT this is your responsibility to train your partner for these battles that are still gonna happen even in lack of communication/acceptance. What is the solution? Honestly, nothing. I have given up telling my uncles to teach their partner/children Tamil. I always get the look of ‘I curse an interracial relationship on you so that you can experience how difficult that is’. I should probably not say much on this because I am sat here determined to teach my future children Tamil, English, Arabic, Hebrew and Mandarin. I’ll get back to this section in 10 years time. Until then, get both sides to meet halfway and communicate via miming.

Last but certainly the most destructive reason: society. Your parents care about what the community thinks. Hell, even you do right? Other Tamil aunties, uncles or even similarly aged peers look at you in a certain way. ‘What is she/he thinking’ ‘They do not suit each other’ ‘Why that race’ ‘How did the parents raise him/her’ ‘What an embarrassment’ blah blah. I do not want to waste our time writing a paragraph for these people telling them how wrongful and narrow-minded they are. Because, quite frankly, I do not see them as the future of our society. Including our like-minded peers who usually hate either: out of jealousy; do not have the choice to think for themselves; or are sheep.** It is you. You who is in an interracial relationship that are our future. Not because you are in an interracial relationship itself. Rather, you are the catalyst bringing the necessary changes that our society desperately needs. You have been brave enough to step outside the cultural bounds knowing the possible gravity of opposition that will rise against you. And best believe there are a lot of us who are very proud of you. You are forcing our society to subconsciously grow a backbone starting with our parents first. The reason why our parents care about society is not because they value the opinion of others but because they want to maintain their status in society (even if neutral). Trust me, this will be compensated once they find their supreme status as grandparents. They will no longer ‘care’ about society. I know this because I had this conversation with my grandparents. The society will feel this eventually and a cognitive shift will occur. Like a slow ripple, across time and generations this importance given to society or caring about the personal decisions of others will fade. This is already starting to happen. We have some members of our Tamil society respecting the personal decisions of others although they may still not agree with it. To this we cannot say anything – their right to opinion at the end of the day. Yet, that act to respect others’ personal decisions was all thanks to people like you for being the catalyst. Catalyst for the slow erosion of weaponising opinions.

I could have added another point under the heading ‘Racism’. Except, even racism itself must have an explanation. Why is someone racist for ‘no one is born hating another person’ (Nelson Mandela)? I believe that the above points, IF racism plays a part (I cannot assume so just because of difference in opinion), are a guidance to that. They are not justifications. Merely, the bridge to solutions. Another heading may have been that our best interests are being looked out for. That interracial relationships complicate our lives. This is what my uncle (my mother’s cousin) told me when I had a massive debate with him about this last year. That I will not be able to fully enjoy or relax in family gatherings because I will have to keep translating between my partner and family. That I will lose family members as they will not want to talk to me anymore because the situation is ‘difficult’ (utter bollocks because why will anyone not want to talk to me). While all of this may be true, it is a facade for other core reasons. Such as the ones above. Will my family if they care about my life in preventing difficulty not attempt to communicate with an interracial partner of mine and respect whom I have fallen in love for? Will they not reach out to me to make sure I did not feel abandoned? Perspective is the key to everything. Besides, I told him that I have had a White guy try to speak Tamil to me and met Tamil guys who do not know a single word in Tamil. Who do you think will be more awkward in family gatherings: the enthusiastic ‘I-love-this-cultural-experience’ White guy or those ‘I-don’t-know-Tameel’ Tamil guys?

There may have been points that I have missed out on or certain types of experiences that I have not fully explored (comment if so!). One reason for this is because I do not have a strict parent controlling my decisions. My mother has never restricted on whom I should love. She has always told me, that she does not care about the religion (for Christian Tamils this tends to be quite big) or race. So long as that person loves me unconditionally. Lord knows how appreciative I am because I acknowledge that not every individual even in the 21st Century across the world has this privilege. This post was dominantly about Tamils as I cannot speak for other races on an in-depth perspective owing to my lack of concrete knowledge of those cultures. But the message is still the same. My other uncle (mother’s first younger brother) was in an interracial relationship a very long time. My grandparents was opposed to it. He left that relationship. Yet, look where my grandparents are with my other uncles. They persevered. Or maybe it was timing. I wouldn’t dare criticise my uncle for not persevering because I have two beautiful cousins who are the love of my life. So I will end this line of argument here – but you get me. So if you cannot live without one another’s love, no matter what, persevere and stay together. Continue living your lives all the while not backing down to show the importance of your parents. It is not about ‘begging’ for their approval to live. Because you do not need it. They know this. Rather, to prove to them that your love has not faltered your priorities and turned you against them. Show them, and the rest of us, the beauty when cultures merge.

* I believe that in some cases we are being forced but we have a choice where our parents did not. I will explore this in another post.

** So I just learnt this moment that the plural form of Sheep is the same as its singular form. Just a disclaimer in case you think I am illiterate – well I was but not anymore. Google educated me.

The Quantum Space Between Anger and Forgiveness.

17^th May 2009

Thump, thump-thump. Thump.

His heart bombards into his ribcage. It falls heavy on my ear. The broken notes of the heart’s pumps. I should help. I should aid him. It’s a severe cardiac trauma. If I do not administer lidocaine into his body then the beats will cease to exist.

But I can’t. I can’t do it.

My conditioned brain doesn’t know how else to respond to the multi-green uniform the injured soldier is wearing. Badges are clipped onto both sides of the breast pockets. One badge indicating achievements. I smell slaughter. Another indicates heroism. I see a murderer.

My name is Dr Ashvin and this is the first time in nine years of my profession I am questioning to save a life.

You see, when I was 8 my grandfather used to tell me a story. That in 1815 from Southern India my old ancestors were led to what was then called Ceylon by the British. They wore white shirts and trousers with a matching white cowboy hats. Controlling villages with a shotgun tied to their waist or riding a horse to keep a check on the plantations.

Father used to say ‘Naam Tamilar appeh meleesah irunthaalum irumbu udambu mahaneh.’ It meant that we Tamils were wiry. His confidence was my courage. He would verbally reminisce the proud labour-days my ancestors fought through. Mother inherited valuable real-life drawings that I never got bored of inspecting. Dark dusky people frowning. Chins tilted down. Piece of curtain-like cloth wrapped loosely around their angular bodies. Surrounded by tea crops. Tea crops only. Cooly Tamils they were. They were the flesh-machines that produced Ceylon Tea. Tamils were also used for rescuing coconuts and sowing coffee seeds under the sun kissed ground that stored kisses from the soaring sun.

——————————————————————————————————————————-

Tuesday 3^rd February 2009 – ‘Safe Zone’

They’ve got the whole village covered on their radius. The shelter hospital being the heart of it eliminates any hope of survival in every one of us. Live missiles around me exploding like fireworks on New Year’s Eve. Splinters of gold sparks that settle on rooftops for a second then set the whole house ablaze the next. A gush of black smoke lurks its way through the village adamant on sending death to the weak. In my land, there is no safe in a safe zone.

‘Run!’ hollered a Puli so I sprint like a dog being chased. My heart’s pace struggles to keep up. Struggles to keep up with the race my feet are in. I embrace my mind with memories of my family until I feel a mighty presence sneaking up behind me.

KA-BOOM!

A high-pitched eerie noise pierces through my eardrum as I rocket into the thick burning air. I land head down fracturing my left cheekbone. Pain striking all over my body. But it doesn’t hurt me more than seeing elders and children scattered around from the corner of my eye. Limbs missing. Blanketed by their own pool of blood. The Pulis had given their all. Their stripy uniform had shrapnel’s incised in it where fountains of blood are pouring out. Silence. We all stay still like thrown ragdolls. Casted out ragdolls.

Surrounded by burnt tea crops. Burnt tea crops only.

——————————————————————————————————————————-

‘I don’t… I don’t expect you to save me.’ He whimpered after a struggling start.

‘I expect you to expect that.’

He half laughed then gripped onto his side in agony. He took a deep breath.

‘But. I do expect you to be a better person than I ever will be. I had to obey orders. Whether I, I like them or not.’

‘The same orders to rape our women?’ I was getting furious. I was trying to hold back a distressing memory from appearing.

He didn’t say anything. He couldn’t say anything. He looked away. As though I would see his guilt through his eyes.

‘I will get punished for all my wrong doings. Why do you think – ah! –‘ He curls up into a soft ball holding himself tight. Blood oozing out of his waist and onto the mattress.

‘Why do you think I’m dying now? Because I want to? No, because I’m getting punished for it. God is on your side brother.’

‘Don’t you dare call me brother. You and I are nothing alike!’

——————————————————————————————————————————

15^th June 1996

‘You and I are nothing alike!’ Mother teased me.

‘You’re stronger than me. Braver than me. Maybe sharper but I’ll have to think on that’ She laughs showing her beautiful pearl white teeth that glistened against her tender and dusky chocolate brown skin.

‘So you should never be afraid amma. I will always be there to protect you as I’m stronger than you, braver than you and definitely sharper than you!’ We are both laughing our way to sleep tonight. A night no different to other.

Hard crackling noises tapped me awake. I look around with my eyes semi closed. Dark. Unusual shadows tip-toeing around the room. I immediately spring off the bed as I realise it’s half weightless. I realise amma isn’t next to me. It’s hitting me. Queasy turns in my tummy.

“AAHHH! LET GO!”

“AMMA!”

I realise within a second what’s going on. I run like I’ve never ran before to catch the remaining echoes of amma’s scream. Catch the leads before they vanish. I turn an illuminating corner to have 2 blinding headlights temporarily impairing my sight. I put my arm over my eyes to shield them from the daggering bright lightrays. From the corner of my right eye through the piercing rays I see amma being shoved against her resistance with her hands tied together into the back of the green patched jeep. A dark grown man smirks at me. Smirks as my eyes turn bloody crimson. Like the moon would on an eclipse. Sneers because he can hear my blood boil with anger. Like the lava on an erupting volcano. Grins because he gets the extra thrill of knowing that I know what they’re going to do to amma. The bastards. I pelt towards the jeep, fists clenched, heart raging, tears sliding down my cheeks. The tyres screech as it reverses. I crash my knees to the floor and kneel down in middle of the dim lifeless ground as I turn my head away from seeing the men take off their shirts off likened to animals ready for a kill. I take a deep breath in. I let out a colossal scream:

GOD PLEASE! MAKE HER STRONGER THAN ME! BRAVER THAN ME! SHARPER THAN ME!

Here I am. Alone. Surrounded by broken tea crops. Broken tea crops only.

——————————————————————————————————————————-

“Why did.” he gasps then sucks in oxygen. I’m aware his need of oxygen. But I’m also aware of the Tigers raiding outside. For enemies. For traitors too.

My temperature rises.

“Why did you take me in? You could have left me out there.”

“Because we know how it feels when you’re left to rot. As much as I will never forgive you or your government, I still have sympathy for you. Enough sympathy to let you die under a roof anyway.”

He coughs out flaming maroon blood onto the contrasting filthy ash scraped concrete. He’s dying. I’m watching his eyes slowly giving up. I’m hearing his breathing slowing down.

“I’m grateful. Truly. I want nothing more. Nothing more than this immoral war to slip into darkness as quickly as our lives do. It’s ruining generation after…”

I lean over to him and place my two right fingers onto his carotid. His pulse rate is 57bpm. Too low.

It’s deterioting fast. I see a gas mask on the shelf across. The longer I stay where I am the more of a sinner I get. The quicker I try to get the gas mask the more of a traitor I’ll be accused. My chest heats up. Heart sinks deep as I try to make up my decision.

I’m going to-

“generation! It’s our ancestors fault but.. but we’re also to be blamed for.” He starts to utter out of hushness again out of a sudden. Almost like he is keen to convey something to me.

“For carrying it on. Maybe my mother would still be alive if.. if LTTE hadn’t blown-“ He starts to sob quietly. A similar pain to what I have to live with. A pain that he does not want to share yet easily could to justify his actions.

I catch a quick glimpse of the blood transfusion in the corner across me. A quick glimpse through the window of a Puli cleaning his rifle.

He wipes away the clean tears. Looks into my eyes and tells in a stern voice:

“I would never blame you for leaving me to die. But remember this, it only takes a boy to pick up a gun and walk into war but a man to put down his weapon and walk away from war. Preach this to your children as I have done to mine. Let’s teach our children what our parents didn’t teach us.”

He sends me a weak, delicate smile before closing his sore eyes one final time, before me.

——————————————————————————————————————————-

I had to leave after hearing a shriek of an army truck puling up at the entrance. It’s gloomy outside. Wind gliding through the dark damned atmosphere of our land. Walking down a road that was once hopscotched by children full of dreams. Walking down a road that is now smeared with our horrific genocidal massacre across it. If you can’t see it then you can surely smell it; the disturbing dank smell of deaths hanging in the air like demons ready to drag you to their spirit side of earth. An icy chill scurried scarcely up my back as I inspect cluster bombs and half-piece missiles dispersed around the lost village. There is no life here. I myself am a dead man walking.

——————————————————————————————————————————-

“GO!”

The army soldiers broke off the wooden door and rushed in like a swarm of bees. To their surprise they only found a severely skinny man with multi-green army camouflage kit.

22 stitches that closed a deep cut on his forehead. Bandages wrapped neatly and with care around his waist to stop the internal bleeding of a third degree grenade burn. Smell of strong ointment strung in the air after being massaged onto his shoulder blades for ease of pain.

He was also hooked onto a blood transfusion and a heart monitor.

Be-beep. Be-beep.

A regular robust rhythm of pulse with a rate of 76bpm.

(The story that I did for my English A Level coursework – 2012).

Quantum.

To provoke your mind, and nothing more.

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