Sayanthan, a talented Sri Lankan Tamil blogger based in Switzerland is famous for his entertaining podcasts. His blog is usually full of enthralling anecdotes. Today, he posted a thought provoking post on young people and their way of dealing with the conflict in Sri Lanka.
A translation of Sayanthan‘s post is particularly poignant as we think of the the experiences of refugees, and those torn by war and conflict in various parts of the world. Sayanthan in this post explains why it appears as though the younger generation concentrates mainly on “fun”, and how the conflict has stolen some very precious aspects of being young. He laments a similar fate for the next generation. He focuses on an experience that lasted for a brief period, when the possibility of peace gave him and his friends a chance to enjoy themselves despite the conflict.
வலைப் பதிவுகளில் நானும் சோமியும் அவ்வப் போது ஐந்து சதத்திற்கும் பெறுமதியில்லாத ஏதாவது ஒன்றைப் பற்றி, நகைச்சுவையை மட்டும் மையப்படுத்தி அளவளாவுவோம். என்னை ஒரு மொக்கைப் பதிவு மன்னன் ஆகப் பிரகடனப்படுத்தும் அளவிற்கு அவை இருந்து வந்துள்ளன….
But, have any of you thought why we engage in such ‘fun-stuff'? Have you ever wondered why the younger generation who had been thrown to the four-corners concentrate mainly on the ‘fun-stuff’ when they get together, be it on the Net or in person?
Lets look at how life was 40-50 years ago. Even though things were hot in the political arena, day-to-day life was quite peaceful then. Today's elders, then one-time youth would have done everything appropriate for their age. They would have had a bunch of school friends who would have grown together. They would have visited parks, beaches and theaters together. Would have had point-less conversations with friends. Most importantly, they would have roamed about without any fear.
Did we get those opportunities?
The land was already burning when we were born. We had to check for curfew timings on our way to kinder-garden school. Every year, we had to re-locate and there-by lose friends. 10 years without electricity, bombed out cinema-theaters, towns going to sleep by 8 p.m., lives without any guarantees. These are, but a few things we endured in our lives.
But, I did not lament about any of these things before. Not until a few years ago, when we enjoyed a glimmer of peace.
It was mid-2004.
My friends and I were in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. That was a Jaffna I'd never before seen in my life. It was not enduring peace, but just a hope of peace. But even that was enough to make us happy.
We ate bread-and-meat_curry in the beach. We crossed army camps without any fears of being caught. Saw opposing sides laughing together. Looked upon the military personnel, who did not demand any identity cards, with affection. We drank toddy in the middle of the night. Sang at the top of the voice, in the middle of the road at midnight without any fear. Similarly in Colombo, we enjoyed travelling without any check-posts. Weaved tales in the Galle-face beach hours past midnight. And threw away those dreaded police resident-records.
I experienced joy filled war-less peaceful life in those few days. I then, lamented the lost years. And envied the youth of yesteryears.
War and ethnic strife has plucked away those care-free times from us. We lost all our enjoyable experiences to war.
Here I am, years past the years that could be spent on adolescent fun-filled activities. But whenever I see my scattered friends in one place, all of us fill ourselves with teasing talks, chats and pointless arguments. This happens wherever and whenever friends get together. It's unavoidable.
Peace has hidden its face once more. It's back to war, death, kidnappings, identity cards, bombings, shell attacks.
Over in Sri Lanka, the next generation is doomed to experience what we did. They will lose friends, conversations, beaches, parks..
War-less life. How beautiful it is!
3 comments
I agree with you 100%. Also this war is not based upon the thoughts and wishes of the normal civilians. We really don’t won’t any of these parties to fight and kill in the name of our freedom. We want to live peacefully and enjoy our lives with our families to the best. I do feel deeply sorry for the Tamil community for what they have to go through. I feel sad for the Tamil and Sinhala mothers who loose their sons & daughters. I wonder whether it is possible to forgive for the destruction caused by the Government & LTTE.
I would love this war to be ended. I have a hope that one day we will see Sri Lanka as a one country where there is no discrimination against nationalities, religions, classes or colours.
We have to start the change within our communities and schools. We have to stop infecting the young generation of Sri Lanka with all the stupid selfish thoughts. When I was studying Social Studies in our school, I have notice that there is a major problem with our constitution itself. The funniest and the stupidest thing that was mentioned in our constitution is that “to be the president of Sri Lanka, you have to be a Sinhala, Buddhist citizen of Sri Lanka”. It is a shame to say how backward we are. We have to change our national language to English. In our history books, we have to let our kids study and learn about the truth of King Elara and how great and fair his judgments were
I do really appreciate your sincere comments on the war of Sri Lanka.
Cheers,
Surani
Surani your note gives me a hope that their is light on the other end .We need not change the official language instead make both state language like French and English as Canada Has . and recognize Tamils as your fellow citizen and not as THEMULLU Consider a Canadian Form of Federalizem, instead of Gansaba or Panchayathu as India suggest.
Sri Lankans whether sinhalese or tamil inclusive muslims should have same rights and standard of living, and Human Rights.
Hey I agree with you. If we can make our state language to English, it will be a great advantage for our future children. They don’t have to struggle to learn English to do their higher studies.
Also every body should get equal opportunities and should be treated and addressed equally.
But I don’t understand why people can’t understand these basics…… the problem is our politicians have their own agendas. They don’t fight for our freedom… They are just trying to get rich with the war…..
I feel sorry for our country….. I feel sorry for the poor people who are dying every day and struggling to breath. Whether it’s Sinhalese, Tamils or Muslims, poor will always suffer.