Pictures from Peora (sent by Mrs B Roy Choudhury)

Here are some brilliant pictures sent to me by Mrs B Roy Choudhury from her recent visit to Peora...one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Thank you for sharing the pictures with rajeshksundaram.blogspot.com

Mrs Roy Chowdhury has a wonderful property in Peora, which is let out selectively to discerning lodgers.

More details on
www.resortsequester.com

I had a great time amidst the mountain and forests there a few weeks ago. Please go back to previous posts for my pictures of beautiful Peora.

Tamil Tigers Rebels say they are Ready for Talks, But SL Must Honour CFA

(Full unedited text of the pro-rebel TamilNet report)

International community must ensure Sri Lanka honours CFA and paves way for talks- LTTE

[TamilNet, September 14, 2006 00:03 GMT]

Welcoming the call by the Co-Chairs of Sri Lanka’s donor community for the Colombo government to abide by the February 2002 Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) and implement the pledges it made in Geneva, the Liberation Tigers said Wednesday it is the responsibility of the Norwegian facilitators and international community to ensure the Rajapakse government adheres to the territorial demarcations, terms and conditions of the CFA and thereby creates a conducive atmosphere for talks.

Speaking to Tamilnet Wednesday evening, the head of the LTTE’s Political Wing, Mr. S. P. Thamilchelvan welcomed the Co-Chairs insistence Tuesday that the Sri Lankan government “must ensure its military abides by the Ceasefire Agreement and implements the pledges from the Geneva meeting in February 2006.”

“It is the Sri Lankan government which, launching major aggression against our controlled areas, has carried out breaches of the CFA of the utmost seriousness. It is therefore the primary responsibility of the [Mahinda] Rajapakse regime to create a conducive environment by respecting the lines of territorial demarcation underpinning the CFA so that the peace process can move forward,” Mr. Thamilchelvan said.

Mr. Thamilchelvan said the LTTE’s position had been unambiguously set out when the Tigers met with a Norwegian delegation led by Ambassador Hans Brattskar on September 6 in Kilinochchi.

There was no change in the LTTE policy since then, Mr. Thamilchelvan said, adding that it had been reiterated in his recent interview with Reuters on Tuesday.

Reaffirming the LTTE’s commitment to the peace process, Mr. Thamilchelvan said it was the responsibility of the Norwegian facilitators supported by the international community to ensure Colombo takes concrete steps towards the speedy creation of a conducive environment for talks.
Asked about the dispute over supplies for the population of the Jaffna peninsula, Mr. Thamilchelvan said the LTTE has told the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that the Tigers would cooperate fully in the transportation of humanitarian supplies through demarcated land routes.

However, the Sri Lankan government, engaged in military aggression against the LTTE, was determined not to reopen the supply routes, he said.

And apart from forcibly occupying LTTE-controlled areas by military aggression, the Sri Lankan armed forces have also sharply escalated abductions, extra-judicial killings and other abuses against the Tamil people, Mr. Thamilchelvan pointed out.

These matters would be taken up again when the new leadership of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) met the LTTE on Friday, he said.

Mr. Thamilchelvan hailed the international community’s recognition of the prevailing ground situation, particularly welcoming its condemnation of the Sri Lanka Air Force airstrike on Mullaitivu in August which killed 51 schoolgirls and 4 staff.

Sri Lankan Governent Sets Conditions for Talks

Statement by the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process

SCOPP Media Release13 September 2006

The Government is appreciative of the efforts made by the Co-chair members to resume peace talks. The Government reaffirms the declaration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 22 August 2006, following a meeting with the Co-Chair Ambassadors in Sri Lanka that the Government remains ready to engage in talks with the LTTE following a clear commitment by the LTTE Leader to a comprehensive and verifiable cessation of hostilities.

The Government is pleased that the Co-Chair members have endorsed this approach and stated that the LTTE must abide by all agreements and renounce terrorism and violence.

The Government notes with great concern certain elements of the Co-Chair statement of 12 September 2006. The procedural irregularities of the statement in making commitments regarding dates and venue without prior consultation with the Government.

The Government deeply regrets that the statement contains factual inaccuracies such as the alleged bombing of a school in Mullaitivu which is grossly misleading.It is important to note that the peace process in Sri Lanka is conducted between a democratically elected government of a sovereign State and an armed group practicing terrorism.

It has been the experience in the past that the LTTE has always used peace talks as a period to enhance its military capabilities. The Government hopes that the Co-Chairs and the Facilitator will do the utmost to ensure that the past practices of the LTTE are not repeated in this instance. In this regard, the Government would urge the international community to put in place a practical mechanism to prevent the illegal procurement of arms and an effective blockade to the induction of weapons by the LTTE.

This is an essential element to ensure a successful progression towards a political settlement.While the Government notes the above concerns, it remains fully committed to participate at peace talks with the LTTE. However, the specific modalities relating to dates and venue must be discussed and agreed between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Facilitator.

View from Room Number 532 at the Clark's Amer, Jaipur

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

The Moon in Old Delhi Shot by Zain Awan

(Photo : Zain Awan)

The Delhi Metro is Not Animal Friendly

This cow can't seem to figure out how she will get to the ticket counter at this Delhi Metro Station.

"A cow's legs are not designed to go down a flight of stairs. I had to reach Old Delhi in thirty minutes...It is such a shame. And yes there was no toilet paper in the NDMC loo for animals as well...This city does not care for cows." She told me.

(Photo : Zain Awan)

Sun set at the Central secretariat Metro station, Delhi

(Photo : Zain Awan)

Enjoying a meal at QBA

(Photo : Zain Awan)

Here is one of me at QBA in Delhi. Really like the food and settings there.

Sri Lankan Government deny They are Ready for Unconditional Talks

(Unedited government release ) Unconditional Talks Between the Government & LTTE- Government of Sri

Lanka Neither Agreed Nor was Consulted by the Norwegian Facilitator

13 September 2006

Norwegian Special Envoy Mr. Erick Solheim was quoted by local and international media as saying that both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE have agreed today for unconditional talks with immediate effect, much to the surprise of the Government, Mr. Solheim has reportedly announced that the talks would take place in Oslo, first week of October. The Government of Sri Lanka is highly disturbed with regard to the statement made by the Norwegian facilitator, as the government neither agreed to unconditional talks nor was consulted. Thus the co-chairs, the international community and the general public have been misled. Mr. Solheim has also made reference to the North & East merger. However, de-merger is a matter constitutionally vested with the general public of the country through a referendum. Furthermore, the 1987 Indo-Lanka peace accord deals with this issue in detail. The matter is also currently being challenged before the Supreme Court. Under these circumstances the facilitator making any statement with regard to an internal matter of Sri Lanka is unacceptable. During the Geneva Talks I, the Government of Sri Lanka consented to talks with the LTTE and continues with maximum commitment for a peaceful settlement of the issue, despite a series of violations of the CFA by the LTTE. The LTTE's attempted assassination of the Army Commander, claiming the life of Major General Parami Kulatunge, attempted attacks on the Pearl Cruiser, Jet Liner Cruiser and mass massacre of innocent civilians in Kebithigollewa are few salient CFA violations by the LTTE. Government subsequently resorted to defencive military action in order to protect the national interests and the sovereignty of the land.

Featuring Vidya Menon...The Spunky Chennai Girl

I got a mail from Vidya Menon today ...our first contact in five years.

It took me back to the time when I was the bureau chief in Chennai for Zee News.

Vidya then had joined the bureau as an intern from a journalism school in the city.

She was spunky...juggling her college work and assignments with elan. Zipping all over the city in her Kinetic Honda.

She is now a successful PR professional and works for Percept Profile in Chennai.

Hope of Talks between Sri Lankan Government and Rebels

Representatives of Sri Lanka’s chief aid donors USA, EU, Japan and Norway have said after a key meeting in Brussels Tuesday, that the Tamil Tiger rebels and the Sri Lankan government have expressed their willingness to hold talks “without preconditions.” This they said way conveyed to the Norwegian mediators.

"We got today the expression of willingness, we got signals from the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE, to come to talks unconditionally," EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner was quoted as saying.


The donors have urged both parties to meet in Oslo in early October a Norwegian foreign office source told this writer from Oslo.

Representatives of the United States, European Union, Japan and Norway met in Brussels today to discuss the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka.

At the meeting the donors have urged the government to stop military operations immediately and the LTTE to stop violence against the Sri Lankan security forces.

Earlier, the rebel political wing chief S P Thamilselvan was quoted by a pro-rebel website as saying "“The LTTE is ready for talks. However, the opportunities for resuming the talks will be much stronger when the Sri Lankan government ceases its military attacks and all the CFA articles are fully respected and implemented.”

Poem by Rajesh Sundaram

Insane Neon

The writing...the irritating writing

Neon lights...red neon lights...flashing.

Bold lettering.

A warning?

Flashing at the back of my mind...all the time

Many sets of irritating flashing neon lights

All aglow at the same time sometimes

Fighting insanity...fighting myself

Losing all the time.

Poem by Rajesh Sundaram

The Grey of Angst

Isolated...insulated

Unstable...unsustainable

On the brink...yet not quite

The space between sane and insane
...heaven and hell

The grey of angst...painful angst.

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

Poem by Rajesh Sundaram

Unchartered Unease

Measure of love

Measure of truth

Measure of trust

Measure of faith

Benchmarks do exist somewhere
Do I care ?

Chasing the mirage of perfection
...in an imperfect world

Guided towards unchartered waters...by an unsteady impulse

Expectations...from either side
ending in despair

Silence...hides the unease
or does it?

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

Back on Popular Demand ....ZAIN AWAN

Zain Awan at the lounge in Delhi's QBA. The smile says it all. The Kababs were finger lickin good and so was the apple juice. We did have a lot of fun with Gaven Morris from Doha.



(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

Sunny Day in the Pink City

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

Precious Precious Gems

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

Welcome to this Store

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

The Marwadi Churan Seller at Johri Bazaar

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

Busy Road, Cow and Cloths at Johri Bazaar

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

Mr Jain At Johri Bazar, Jaipur

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

Elephant Butt in my Windscreen

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

Elephants Seek Tourists in Jaipur

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

India Says It is not Meddling in Sri Lanka's Internal

In response to a question regarding the statement made by the Sri Lankan Minister of Tourism

07/09/2006

In response to a question regarding the statement made by the Sri Lankan Minister of Tourism Mr. Anura Bandaranaike in Sri Lankan Parliament alleging that our High Commissioner in Colombo Mrs. Nirupama Rao is interfering in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka, the Official Spokesperson said:“It is not the policy of Government of India and its representative abroad to interfere in the internal affairs of any country.

Our High Commissioner in Colombo Mrs. Nirupama Rao is a senior diplomat and has conducted herself in accordance with the highest professional standards. Her contribution to strengthen Indo-Sri Lankan bilateral relations is well appreciated by the host Government.” New DelhiSeptember 7, 2006

TNA MP Says Will Inform India about Pakistan's Clandestine Role in Sri Lankan War

TNA Wants to Give India Evidence of Pakistan's Role in Sri Lankan War
7th Sep 2006, (New Delhi)

A delegation of the Memebers of Parliament of the Tamil National Alliance, an amalgamation of Tamil political parties known to be sympathetic to the Tamil tiger rebels (LTTE) is in Chennai awaiting an appointment with the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the National Security Advisor M.K Narayanan.

Speaking to the writer from Chennai, a member of the delegation M.K. Shivajilingam said he is hopeful of meeting the Prime Minister and the National Security Advisor in Delhi before the week ends. "We hope to tell the Prime Minister about the suffering of the Tamil civilians and also about the clandestine support to the Sri Lankan army and intelligence agencies that the Pakistan government is providing."

He alleged that Pakistan was selling offensive military hardware like multi barreled rocket launchers to the Sri Lankan army. He also alleged that the Pakistani air force pilots were flying sorties for the Sri Lankan air force against rebel positions.

He said he has already met the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Nirupama Rao and her deputy before this visit.

"We will stay in India for about 15 days, and will travel to Delhi as soon as we are given appointments."

Ceasefire Violated in Sampoor , Thamilselvan tells Norwegian Envoy

Norwegian Envoy Visits Killinochi, Meets LTTE leaders after Sampoor Fall

7 September 2006 (New Delhi)

Norwegian envoy to Colombo Hans Brattskar, visited Killinochi Wednesday and met LTTE's political head S P Thamilselvan. After the meeting Thamilselvan told mediamen that the attack on Sampoor and its capture by the Sri Lankan Army was a violation of the 2002 Norway brokered ceasefire between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tiger rebels.

Will the Indian PM meet TNA representatives?

A Meeting Between Manmohan Singh and TNA MPs could be Dramatic Development

September 6, 2006 (New Delhi)

A three member delegation of Tamil members of the Sri Lankan Parliament are in Chennai, en route to Delhi. They hope to meet India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and National Security Advisor M K Narayanan before the weekend.

The delegation is led by 73 year old R Sampanthan, MP from Trincomalee and includes M K Shivajilingam and M Senathirajah.







( Photo :Sampanthan, Shivajilingan and Senathirajah)
Although the prime minister's Office has not granted the MPs an appointment yet, they expect t0 meet Singh in Delhi on either Thursday or Friday.

All three MPs are part of the Tamil National Alliance, a amalgamation of Tamil political parties, seen as sympathetic to the Tamil tiger rebels also known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, LTTE.

The visit of the Tamil MPs from Sri Lanka comes after V Gopalaswamy, ( or Vaiko, leader of a party allied to the ruling United Progressive Alliance) a supporter of the LTTE met Singh and urged him to take urgent steps to ensure military action in Sri Lanka is not targeted at Tamil civilians. Vaiko had urged Singh to meet a delegation of Tamil MPs from Sri Lanka to get a first hand account of the "suffering" of the Tamil civilians.



Vaiko has been asking the Federal government to stop all military assistance to Sri Lanka and urge the Sri Lankan government to do more to protect the rights and lives of Tamil civilians. He has met Singh more than twice since fresh hostilities broke out between the Sri Lankan government and the rebels.




If Singh and Narayanan were to meet the MPs, it would be the first ever high level contact between the Indian government and groups considered to be close to the LTTE in 15 years.

The LTTE was banned by India soon after the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, some 15 years ago.

India's Supreme Court has ruled that members of the LTTE conspired to assassinate Rajiv Gandhi. Its Chief V Prabhakaran is an accused in the case and is a wanted man in India.

Gandhi's wife Sonia is the head of the ruling United Progressive Alliance in India.

The visit comes at a time when the LTTE faces its worst military defeat since a ceasefire was signed with the government in 2002.

It has lost a strategic enclave in Trincomalee district to the Sri Lankan Army this week. Its offensive strikes in Jaffna, north Sri Lanka too has not seen desired results.

After being banned by Canada and the European Union recently, the LTTE stand isolated and its international funding network has been seriously dented.

India, Britain and the United States have already put the LTTE on their proscribed list

The meeting also assumes significance as Pakistan has emerged as one of the chief suppliers of arms to Sri Lanka. Relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan have improved over the past year.

The military hardware, maintenance and training given by Pakistan have contributed in a big way in the victories the Sri Lanka army has had in the recent past against the rebels.

The rebels have been accusing Pakistan of funding and aiding muslim militant groups in the east. Something the Indian external intelligence agencies have noted with caution.

The recent assassination attempt on the Pakistani high commissioner in Colombo has been blamed on the LTTE by the Sri Lankan Government. Interestingly, the high commissioner alleged India's external intelligence agency RAW ( Research and Analysis Wing) had a role in the attempt on his life.

Heavy Rebel Shelling in Selvanagar, 1 Soldier Killed

1 Soldier Killed 13 Injured in Rebel Shelling towards Selvanagar

6 September, 2006 (New Delhi)

Rebel fighters have stepped up shelling of army camps located at Selvanagar in the restive eastern Sri Lankan district of Trincomalee. A soldier was killed and 13 injured in overnight shelling.

" We have Sampoor firmly under our control and are firmly consolidating areas around Sampoor. The Tamil tiger terrorists have moved their heavy guns out of Sampoor into areas beyond Verugal. This is where they are now firing at our positions." said Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe, spokesman for the Sri Lankan Army.

Samarasinghe told this reporter from Colombo that, supplies to Jaffna from the trincomalee harbour have resumed.

" The harbour is now completely out of the range of their heavy guns and is safe. We have started supplies to Jaffna from the Trincomalee harbour."

He said civilian airservice to the Pallaly air port in Jaffna have also been resumed since Tuesdau.
With this air and sea transit and supply routes to Jaffna are now clear.

Sri Lanka has 40,000 troops based in the Jaffna peninsula, which is cut off from army controlled areas by land. Rebels control large parts of the A9 (Kandy-Jaffna Road) and the strategic Elephant Pass.

One Cop and 5 Kids on a Street in Delhi

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

Selling the Argumentative Indian...silently

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

Fixing a Blender

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

Practicing Patterns Before the Ladies Come

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

A Mountain of Hot Pakaudas

( Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

Mr Chhatwal, The Guy Who sold me the Electrical Cord

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

SL President Says Sampoor Captured by Troops

Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse has announde that the Armed forces had taken complete control of the rebel enclave of Sampoor in the restive eastern district of Trincomalee.
The announcement came at the 55th anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). The rebels have called this a serious violation of the Ceasefire agreement, but say they will continue to honour it.

Update to follow

Featuring Anil Thomas and Neelu Vyas

TATA 407

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

Dynamic Series : Going Back Home

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

Dynamic Series : Water Tower

(Photo : Rajesh Sundaram)

The Red Banner in my Room II

"I know you've come to kill me. Shoot, coward, you're only going to kill a man."

-Ernesto "Che" Guevara

The Red Banner in my Room

"Silence is argument carried on by other means."

-Ernesto "Che" Guevara

80 rebel fighters killed, 12 boats destroyed : SL Army

Attack on Kankesanthurai Harbour Foiled, 80 Rebels Killed : SL Army

Army sources say 80 Tamil tiger rebel fighters were killed and 12 rebel boats destroyed after, the navy foiled a rebel bid to attack the main Kankesanthurai port in Jaffna, North Sri Lanka. Navy gunboats engaged the rebels in fierce fighting that lasted for over six hours and ended in the early hours of Saturday in Point Pedro near the harbour.

Two navy Fast Attack Craft , FAC were slightly damaged and two sailors sustained minor injuries the spokesman said.

A rebel spokesman talking to this writer from Killinochi did confirm "clashes off the coast of point pedro" but said he could not verify the army claim on rebel fighters killed.

"Army positions along the coast came under fire and the troops vacated their posts from the coastal defence line. Civilians, around 900 families, from Supparmadam, Koddady, Munai, Katkovalam, Moorkam and Punithanagar villages have sought refuge at St. Anthony's church " a pro-rebel website said.

The pro-rebel website

SL army claims Kaddaparichchan Under its Control

Army claims Kaddaparichchan

September 1, 2006 (New Delhi)

The Sri Lankan army has claimed a significant victory in its 4 day old offensive to take control of the strategic rebel held Sampoor town, on the mouth of the Trincomalee Harbour.

It said troops had taken control of Kaddaiparichchan south of Trincomalee and taken control of the area where the rebel heavy guns were located.

The rebel military spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

Kfir jets of the Sri Lankan airforce meanwhile continue to bombard rebel positions in and around Sampoor and Eachilampattu.

The ground troops are further consolidating their positions while clearing the area of LTTE booby traps, landmines and other explosive devices.

According to the Sri Lankan ministry of Defence,troops have so far buried at least 92 dead bodies of rebel fighters in two locations at KADIRAVELI and VAKARAI areas. It claims troops have observed 27 LTTE dead bodies lying ahead of SELVANAGAR. It confirmed that 14 soldiers were killed and 92 injured during the first four days of the ongoing offensive.

(Picture and Map : Sri Lankan Army)