Jaffna needs Independent Persons

| by Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

( August 15, 2012, Melbourne, Sri Lanka Guardian) Today is the anniversary of the day India declared its Independence from the British. One would naturally pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi when one appreciates that Independence from British rule. Yet how many migrants of Indian origin, living in the West – compromise and assimilate – which has the same effect as accepting British rule in India? Likewise, migrants of Sri Lankan origin who reject Sinhalese government but compromise and assimilate in Western countries? To that extent – we did not become independent of the British.

To me, Independence is about Self Respect. Those lacking in Self Respect would tend to disrespect others. To the extent we respect ourselves, we are Independent. This Independence could be at the Individual level and/or Collective level. Gandhi as an individual realized Independence and self-sufficiency – often through sacrifice. Once true independence is realized – the person naturally shares that with all those who have faith in that person. That was how Gandhi, more than any other Indianpolitical leader of his times, empowered Indians and helped them earn the status of Independence. Showing more status and money wealth than we really have earned, is also indicative of lack of Self Respect and therefore lack of Independence.

There are two ways in which we earn status and money-wealth: through (1) Active work (2) Sacrifice of earned benefits. Former leads to lateral spread and latter leads to vertical growth.Sacrifice is essential for us to realize the Power of One. In a family or intellectually driven institution, one would find evidence of this through the respect shown to the leader/higher or deeper investor. Through Active work we acquire wealth and Sacrifice goes towards inheritance – as in Superannuation savings. My current life in Northern Sri Lanka has helped me appreciate the distinction between the two – through the laws applicable to the People of Northern Sri Lanka. I am challenged more and more in this regard, through the Testamentary case of my Brother in Law – Mr. SubramaniamYoganathan of Vattukottai. I believe, I had this opportunity due to my genuine respect for my Brother in Law who after the death of his father took his father’s place within my husband’s family. He was never married and hence the challenge – as to whether his Estate is to be shared Equally by all siblings or whether it is to be shared by the brothers only?

The parallel question at National level is – whether the status of the British when they left Ceylon - was to be shared by those elected through majority vote or by those who sacrificed earned benefits to lead through Administration – based on common principles? Under the principles of Thesawalamai – the Customary Law applicable to Northern Sri Lankans – wealth of a married person is made up of two components –Muthusum( inherited wealth) and ThediyaThettam (acquired wealth). In general terms they are respectivelyAdministration and Politics.

Where there have been strong Administrative structures – application of politics on the basis of majority vote power would weaken the inherited value of Administrative power. Where institutions override inherited Administrative values to enjoy current benefits – especially money benefits – they weaken their foundation which eventually would not be able to support heavy superstructures. Sri Lanka’s North is currently at grave risk of collapse due to hasty injection of money without appropriate Human Structures.

Under the principles of Thesawalamai, inherited wealth goes to males who sacrifice current small pleasures for delayed enjoyment of great/higher-pleasures. In marriage it means that one sacrifices pleasures towards Love and Family Oneness. Males got educated more than the females and they got married later than the females to accumulate the strength to carry the family name.This sacrifice is denoted by the higher status given to them. Those who appreciate it would pay their respects and enjoy that status through the higher contributor. Not many families currently in Vattukottai area in Northern Sri Lanka, demonstrate this. They are also orphans to that extent.

Vertical Administration & Management need to be strong in institutions of Higher Education. True higher education would include a strong doze of self-sacrifice of immediate pleasures. I found this to be weak in the case of Central Administrators of the University of New South Wales – especially in obtaining Research Funding. It is appropriate for a University to make money through teaching activities but not through Research activities. It is Research that gives the University the deeper foundation on which it could grow to great heights.

In Northern Sri Lanka, Public Administration has been weakened not only because of the war but also due to lack of practice of the values of Higher Education and Administration. Diaspora Tamils blame the government while they enjoy more and sacrifice less. The votes that the Government of Sri Lanka receives is the parallel of the money-income earned by Tamil migrants in Australia. Enjoyment through political powers is the parallel of enjoyment through money in hand. Until our sacrifice of money-pleasures is stronger than our immediate enjoyment of those money pleasures – including through assets that are towards ‘buying’ status – we as a community would not be growing towards Independence.

We need realized Independent persons to include themselves with the People whose status has been reduced unjustly not just due to the war but also due to poor investment in higher values. Investment in humans has higher value than investment in land for its cash value. Those who seek to ‘show’ more than they ‘know’ would tend to accumulate false status. Those who know more than they realize would tend to isolate themselves – especially in their minds.

When we live in Truth – we confirm Independence. Whether we are dependent on benefits or custodians of benefits – dependence is dependence. It cannot become Independence through mere association with the rulers – be they White or Brown – Sinhalese or Tamils. Every Independent Tamil would naturally add Independence power to the group s/he feels part of. Our call for self-governance needs to be within our realized Independence. For those in Governance – the call needs to be within knowledge of Independence and no more. When we show more – we weaken the energies that are available for us to share.