English as an international language
Dr. Senarath TENNAKOON
There is an ever increasing global community of English speakers. This speech community of English speakers, according to Kachru (1985), can be segmented to three circles of speakers: the inner circle (320-380 million speakers) represents the native speakers, the second language speakers (150-300 million) comprise the outer circle and the expanding outermost circle (100-1,000 million) is occupied by people learning English as a foreign language.
However, the clear cut demarcations between the outer and the outermost circles have become less clear as the foreign language learners in some European countries have become more like second language users of English (Graddol, 2006). In particular the inner circle comprises highly proficient speakers of English.
Fast growth
There are around 7,000 languages around the world in use and only 12 languages account for 50 percent of the global population. Of these Chinese, English and the other European languages are spoken as native languages. The number of second language speakers is growing important as Manderin, Hindi and Spanish are challenging English.
English is a Germanic language. It developed in England as a result of the Anglo-Saxon invasions of the 5th century. The so called 'Old English' was an inflecting language that preserved many features of Germanic as seen in the epic poem 'Beowulf'.
Borrowed words
The Middle English (11-14th centuries) that followed replaced inflections with word order. It also borrowed words and expressions from Latin, French and Chaucer (1345-1400) presents the features of Middle English in his 'Canterbury Tales'.
Modern (or new) English starts from about 1,500 (end of the reign of Henry VII) to the present day (Wrenn 2006).
Before the 18th century, there was no concept of foreign language (Graddol, 2006). The 19th century ushered in several socio economic changes. Industrialisation, the growth of capitalist economy and the expansion of colonialism resulted. Hand in hand with these changes, the English language too crossed its national borders.
The English language crossed the border of modernity and entered the era of postmodernity with English being commonly used by the international travellers, computer and the internet. English speech is being communicated around the globe. English is widely used among the international, political, business, academic and scientific communities. It is often one of the standard varieties (American or British). But there are other dialects which reflect the speaker's mother tongue in the expressions of spoken English (Crystal 1998).
There are some special and specific features of English as a language for its extensive usage, apart from the social, historic and economic reasons. English is extremely heterogeneous.
It easily and quickly borrows words and expressions from any other known language. English is also simple and flexible in the use of its grammar. Linguists call this feature as the simplicity of English inflection.
The word order in an English sentence is relatively fixed and stable. The inflections are very few. At times prepositions replace or substitute inflections. Although not so marked as a Chinese, English too uses intonations to bring about different shades of meaning to words and expressions. Of these features it is the adaptable receptiveness and the simplicity of inflection that have been most dominant features (Wrenn 2006).
Demand
In Sri Lanka the current enthusiasm for English is largely driven by the parents and the job demand of the private sector and international job market.
A well to do segment of the elite population teach their children in international schools. Some institutions and homes are encouraging English imperialism. When the universities increased after 1956 and schooling commenced to function in the local languages there was a decline in the interest of the parents and the students for English.
This decline dragged on for over two decades while India continued to encourage learning in English. Even now, in Sri Lanka, students who continue to study in local languages in the primary and secondary schools encounter difficulties in particular in medicine and engineering and other science subjects at the university level. There is also a proliferation of private educational institutions which provide 'crash English teaching programmes' to attract the seekers of English knowledge. The effectiveness of these has not been evaluated.
dailynews.lk
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The indispensable English language ...!!!
The indispensable English language
Clarence Welikala
It is a known fact that English has become sine qua non, that is, indispensable, for everyone’s advancement and improvement if one is to succeed in modern society. The language’s qualities of relative simplicity and flexibility enhances its chances of taking root and surviving, internationally.
Now the question arises, how could one learn and practise this all-important universal language? A probable answer would be : the means and capacity to fulfil one’s desire to realize this ambition.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken cognizance of this urgent need - and based on his idealogy - the Cabinet has taken a decision to change the English school syllabi with special emphasis of improving students’ spoken and communicative skills in the English language.
English language opens new vistas. File Photo
It is fair to content that logic, intuitions and emotions may each have played a vital part when making this supreme decision. However, with a view to developing and sharing knowledge, ideas and insights aimed at increasing understanding, plans should be drawn and strategies implemented to enhance participation in high - quality ‘out of school’ time learning programs so that students, especially those with the highest needs, follow them to gain learning and development benefits. In similar vain, it is worthy to comprehend that by effecting the envisaged change, that equal emphasis on writing as well be made by enforcing English as the medium of instruction to all grades in schools on and all island basis.
The spoken word, the art cum eloquence in speaking and words written on paper, no doubt, bear the same significance to achieve excellence in any language. The decision made by, the president is most welcome, opportune and laudable, to say the least. The President’s passion is people and to do the best for them, he will use his power to give the student population the benefits that are their due, through compassion and concern.
Information technology
In the technologically advanced societies, more importance is attached to educational achievement than ever before. The percentage of children going for higher education increases every year, and success in examinations or achievement tests play an increasingly significant part in the arena of information technology. In addition, children must acquire a much larger body of knowledge to understand and adopt to the greater complexity of industrial society.
The three ‘R’s of elementary education - reading, writing and arithmetic - are no longer sufficient in an age of speed, job mobility, and increasingly complex social organizations. Therefore, for national as well as international progress, English holds the key. In the arena of education in the work place, and in many leisure pursuits, the computer embodies.
The fundamental difference between yesterday and today. So, the urgent need to broaden access to computer and information science skills and through those skills to improve and sustain economic opportunities and more fruitful participation in virtually every dimension of modern life is the essence of the challenge.
Academic excellence
There is a need, especially at this moment in time, for the provision of rigorous, relevant and rewarding academic education to every child in our country from primary, through secondary to tertiary grades and above. Those in-charge and responsible for the educational process in Sri Lanka should endeavour to prescribe relevant and required standards encompassing all parameters within the school - University curriculum semester by semester and, thereby, monitor syllabi to ensure that prescribed standards are maintained and practised.
The success achieved by students in their respective schooling or university careers will positively serve as a catalyst for economic prosperity taking into consideration the fact that educational institutions will have the requisite capacity to produce quality professionals with astounding consistency.
By indulging in proper and meaningful research with emphasis on knowledge, academic and scientific discipline and adopting conclusions arrived at consequent to research, students as well as teachers will benefit immensely and enjoy its many opportunities, consequent to the development of their individual talents and intelligence.
Therefore, it becomes the responsibility of those overseeing education in Sri Lanka to critically think about the issues and come up with feasible solutions to the problems plaguing education, by overcoming economic difficulty and providing streamlined education so that the literacy rate in our country will increase.
Education is defined as the process of establishing habits of critical and independent appraisal of information for the purpose of intellectually developing the whole person, and it is believed that an educated citizenry in essential for the success of their design. Educationist is a force required to be moulded and inculcated among students and teachers alike to give decorum to life, and is the knowledge of putting one’s potentials to maximum use.
There are two reasons why education is important, viz. the training of a human mind is incomplete without education, education makes man a right thinker and decision-maker and secondly, it is only true the attainment of education, man is enabled to receive all necessary current information. Without education, humans are segregated as in a closed room, and with education, humans will find themselves accessible towards the outside world.
Intelligence could be based on the following, viz numerical ability, verbal fluency, memory and the ability to reason. We should ask ourselves whether tests on these abilities are structured and carried out in educational institutions of modern times. Students should be tested in these areas as such tests are of considerable use, though their limitations should be recognized. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has launched the “18-month Road Map of Dr. Sunimal Fernando’s Proposal to promote spoken/communicative English in Sri Lanka”, coupled with the release of the New Teacher Guide and Manual for teaching spoken English.
With its implementation, it is believed that every educational institution - on an all - island basics - will be in possession of the New Teacher Guide and Manual, shortly. By doing so, a ‘gateway’ as it were has been created for all students of all races to have the right to equal access to the facility of a school and medium of instruction of their choice. We must accept the fact that each student is unique in his or her own way - there should be no discrimination; they have their own interest and aspirations - permit them this right so that they could strive to achieve their goal.
After all, it is their legitimate choice and pursuit to achieve academic excellence, they need to discover themselves their worth and what is right for them. The dominant method of teaching, is by feeding facts to children, needs to be dispensed with by a new method that engages youth in the learning process and develops minds by encouraging problem solving, decision making and creativity.
School and learning needs to be a relevant, interesting experience for children whose attention can too often get diverted by television and video games or drugs and crime. The above mentioned methods will be of paramount importance when implementing the “Road Map for spoken English” by the Central and Provincial Education Ministries and they should be monitored and co-ordinated by the Special Initiative Unit of the Presidential Secretariat with a sense of responsibility, dignity and aplomb.
Student unrest
Another salient feature that needs to be addressed is student unrest. In today’s context, there is a need to overcome revolts in campuses. This is as important as defeating terrorism. Clashes at schools and universities have been evident as one might gather from the press and television accounts. But, it is felt that until our colleges and universities become again what they profess to be - life - enhancing centres of liberal education - they are likely to have little peace.
Intellect
We have put too much stress in recent times on intellect, too little on character building. We have sharpened our wits while weakening our restraints. We exaggerate the value of newness in ideas and things. It is so much easier to be original and wise. The customs, conventions and beliefs of mankind are the product of ‘trial and error’ experience through many centuries.
It is unlikely that any individual, however intellectually brilliant, can come in one life time to such knowledge and depth of understanding as to sit safely and wisely in judgment of ancient ways. Man is wiser than any man. Hence there is something disagreeably shallow about sophistication; it suggests cleverness about the part and ignorance of the whole. Modesty makes wisdom wiser, as it makes beauty lovelier.
The whole world of knowledge, technology, morals, manners, government, literature, philosophy and art belongs to everybody and is our heritage. With proper administrative guidance in the respective areas to those attempting to gain professional status, Sri Lankans could achieve excellence in their respective fields and in turn, they could be classified as prodigies.
With the scourge of terrorism being defeated for good in Sri Lanka, we may see children in all kinds of settings, e.g. welfare Camps. It will be fair to state that one would be impressed by their toughness, their resilience, their ability to endure, to find food to bear hardship and pain against all odds. No matter how difficult their surroundings, one will be surprised by the ease with which they learn to play. They deserve better lifestyles now more than ever. Let them enjoy the discretion of the President.
Children are all around us. They represent a fair percentage of our country’s population. They are not equipped to defend themselves; they must depend on what is given to them. They are victims of circumstances. They bring us joy, they bring us tears, they bring responsibility and above all, they are our reason to hope. They are your children, they are my children, they are the children of our country - Mother Lanka.
Reaching the goal
Dramatic new findings prove that a child’s basic intelligence can be significantly augmented by teachers who are willing to follow a few essential rules of training and encouragement. Science may challenge this assumption - and in the process delegating teachers a heady responsibility, i.e. raising children’s intelligence qualification in the crucial early years when it is most malleable.
Great articles written and published by eminent personalities are all too often underestimated as being mere words. In fact, they can either pose serious consequences or have powerful repercussions - good or bad.
The writer trusts that the sequence of events narrated on this vital subject will be appealing, harmonious and acceptable. In short, the subject is compulsive, the course should be fulfilled, the goal reached notwithstanding difficulties encountered and the conflicts involved.
By experiencing the success of the implementation of the “18 Month Road Map of Dr. Sunimal Fernando’s Proposal”, we will witness a society where people will be free to assert their inalienable rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
dailynews.lk
Clarence Welikala
It is a known fact that English has become sine qua non, that is, indispensable, for everyone’s advancement and improvement if one is to succeed in modern society. The language’s qualities of relative simplicity and flexibility enhances its chances of taking root and surviving, internationally.
Now the question arises, how could one learn and practise this all-important universal language? A probable answer would be : the means and capacity to fulfil one’s desire to realize this ambition.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken cognizance of this urgent need - and based on his idealogy - the Cabinet has taken a decision to change the English school syllabi with special emphasis of improving students’ spoken and communicative skills in the English language.
English language opens new vistas. File Photo
It is fair to content that logic, intuitions and emotions may each have played a vital part when making this supreme decision. However, with a view to developing and sharing knowledge, ideas and insights aimed at increasing understanding, plans should be drawn and strategies implemented to enhance participation in high - quality ‘out of school’ time learning programs so that students, especially those with the highest needs, follow them to gain learning and development benefits. In similar vain, it is worthy to comprehend that by effecting the envisaged change, that equal emphasis on writing as well be made by enforcing English as the medium of instruction to all grades in schools on and all island basis.
The spoken word, the art cum eloquence in speaking and words written on paper, no doubt, bear the same significance to achieve excellence in any language. The decision made by, the president is most welcome, opportune and laudable, to say the least. The President’s passion is people and to do the best for them, he will use his power to give the student population the benefits that are their due, through compassion and concern.
Information technology
In the technologically advanced societies, more importance is attached to educational achievement than ever before. The percentage of children going for higher education increases every year, and success in examinations or achievement tests play an increasingly significant part in the arena of information technology. In addition, children must acquire a much larger body of knowledge to understand and adopt to the greater complexity of industrial society.
The three ‘R’s of elementary education - reading, writing and arithmetic - are no longer sufficient in an age of speed, job mobility, and increasingly complex social organizations. Therefore, for national as well as international progress, English holds the key. In the arena of education in the work place, and in many leisure pursuits, the computer embodies.
The fundamental difference between yesterday and today. So, the urgent need to broaden access to computer and information science skills and through those skills to improve and sustain economic opportunities and more fruitful participation in virtually every dimension of modern life is the essence of the challenge.
Academic excellence
There is a need, especially at this moment in time, for the provision of rigorous, relevant and rewarding academic education to every child in our country from primary, through secondary to tertiary grades and above. Those in-charge and responsible for the educational process in Sri Lanka should endeavour to prescribe relevant and required standards encompassing all parameters within the school - University curriculum semester by semester and, thereby, monitor syllabi to ensure that prescribed standards are maintained and practised.
The success achieved by students in their respective schooling or university careers will positively serve as a catalyst for economic prosperity taking into consideration the fact that educational institutions will have the requisite capacity to produce quality professionals with astounding consistency.
By indulging in proper and meaningful research with emphasis on knowledge, academic and scientific discipline and adopting conclusions arrived at consequent to research, students as well as teachers will benefit immensely and enjoy its many opportunities, consequent to the development of their individual talents and intelligence.
Therefore, it becomes the responsibility of those overseeing education in Sri Lanka to critically think about the issues and come up with feasible solutions to the problems plaguing education, by overcoming economic difficulty and providing streamlined education so that the literacy rate in our country will increase.
Education is defined as the process of establishing habits of critical and independent appraisal of information for the purpose of intellectually developing the whole person, and it is believed that an educated citizenry in essential for the success of their design. Educationist is a force required to be moulded and inculcated among students and teachers alike to give decorum to life, and is the knowledge of putting one’s potentials to maximum use.
There are two reasons why education is important, viz. the training of a human mind is incomplete without education, education makes man a right thinker and decision-maker and secondly, it is only true the attainment of education, man is enabled to receive all necessary current information. Without education, humans are segregated as in a closed room, and with education, humans will find themselves accessible towards the outside world.
Intelligence could be based on the following, viz numerical ability, verbal fluency, memory and the ability to reason. We should ask ourselves whether tests on these abilities are structured and carried out in educational institutions of modern times. Students should be tested in these areas as such tests are of considerable use, though their limitations should be recognized. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has launched the “18-month Road Map of Dr. Sunimal Fernando’s Proposal to promote spoken/communicative English in Sri Lanka”, coupled with the release of the New Teacher Guide and Manual for teaching spoken English.
With its implementation, it is believed that every educational institution - on an all - island basics - will be in possession of the New Teacher Guide and Manual, shortly. By doing so, a ‘gateway’ as it were has been created for all students of all races to have the right to equal access to the facility of a school and medium of instruction of their choice. We must accept the fact that each student is unique in his or her own way - there should be no discrimination; they have their own interest and aspirations - permit them this right so that they could strive to achieve their goal.
After all, it is their legitimate choice and pursuit to achieve academic excellence, they need to discover themselves their worth and what is right for them. The dominant method of teaching, is by feeding facts to children, needs to be dispensed with by a new method that engages youth in the learning process and develops minds by encouraging problem solving, decision making and creativity.
School and learning needs to be a relevant, interesting experience for children whose attention can too often get diverted by television and video games or drugs and crime. The above mentioned methods will be of paramount importance when implementing the “Road Map for spoken English” by the Central and Provincial Education Ministries and they should be monitored and co-ordinated by the Special Initiative Unit of the Presidential Secretariat with a sense of responsibility, dignity and aplomb.
Student unrest
Another salient feature that needs to be addressed is student unrest. In today’s context, there is a need to overcome revolts in campuses. This is as important as defeating terrorism. Clashes at schools and universities have been evident as one might gather from the press and television accounts. But, it is felt that until our colleges and universities become again what they profess to be - life - enhancing centres of liberal education - they are likely to have little peace.
Intellect
We have put too much stress in recent times on intellect, too little on character building. We have sharpened our wits while weakening our restraints. We exaggerate the value of newness in ideas and things. It is so much easier to be original and wise. The customs, conventions and beliefs of mankind are the product of ‘trial and error’ experience through many centuries.
It is unlikely that any individual, however intellectually brilliant, can come in one life time to such knowledge and depth of understanding as to sit safely and wisely in judgment of ancient ways. Man is wiser than any man. Hence there is something disagreeably shallow about sophistication; it suggests cleverness about the part and ignorance of the whole. Modesty makes wisdom wiser, as it makes beauty lovelier.
The whole world of knowledge, technology, morals, manners, government, literature, philosophy and art belongs to everybody and is our heritage. With proper administrative guidance in the respective areas to those attempting to gain professional status, Sri Lankans could achieve excellence in their respective fields and in turn, they could be classified as prodigies.
With the scourge of terrorism being defeated for good in Sri Lanka, we may see children in all kinds of settings, e.g. welfare Camps. It will be fair to state that one would be impressed by their toughness, their resilience, their ability to endure, to find food to bear hardship and pain against all odds. No matter how difficult their surroundings, one will be surprised by the ease with which they learn to play. They deserve better lifestyles now more than ever. Let them enjoy the discretion of the President.
Children are all around us. They represent a fair percentage of our country’s population. They are not equipped to defend themselves; they must depend on what is given to them. They are victims of circumstances. They bring us joy, they bring us tears, they bring responsibility and above all, they are our reason to hope. They are your children, they are my children, they are the children of our country - Mother Lanka.
Reaching the goal
Dramatic new findings prove that a child’s basic intelligence can be significantly augmented by teachers who are willing to follow a few essential rules of training and encouragement. Science may challenge this assumption - and in the process delegating teachers a heady responsibility, i.e. raising children’s intelligence qualification in the crucial early years when it is most malleable.
Great articles written and published by eminent personalities are all too often underestimated as being mere words. In fact, they can either pose serious consequences or have powerful repercussions - good or bad.
The writer trusts that the sequence of events narrated on this vital subject will be appealing, harmonious and acceptable. In short, the subject is compulsive, the course should be fulfilled, the goal reached notwithstanding difficulties encountered and the conflicts involved.
By experiencing the success of the implementation of the “18 Month Road Map of Dr. Sunimal Fernando’s Proposal”, we will witness a society where people will be free to assert their inalienable rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
dailynews.lk
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Giving economic value of agro-technology....!!!
Gannoruwa Agriculture Park
Giving economic value of agro-technology:
Ganga Illeperuma in Kandy
Agriculture is the most important sector of the Sri Lankan economy. Even though its contribution to the gross domestic product declined substantially during the past 3 decades, it is the most important source of employment for the majority of the Sri Lankan workforce.
Agriculture in Sri Lanka mainly depends on rice production. Its main goal is to achieve an equitable and sustainable agricultural development through development and dissemination of improved agriculture technology.
Students visit the park. Picture: Audio visual centre of Gannoruwa Agriculture Park
There are a few agriculture parks established by the department. One is located at Gannoruwa and the most recent one is at the Bataatha. Bataatha Park has recently become world famous for having the world’s first farmers monument at its entrance.
A novel concept in agricultural extension was introduced in 2004 by establishing an Agro-Technology Park (ATP) at Gannoruwa. There were many objectives to build this park and the main objective is the capacity building of various stakeholders of agriculture. The other objectives include recreation, facilitation of research, promotion of agro-tourism and generation of funds. The ATP provides information on traditional and modern technology related to agriculture.
The visitors to the park comprise objective students and general public and they mainly came from nearby districts.
The majority of adult visitors is directly involved in agriculture and the main purpose of the visit was to improve knowledge in agriculture and recreation. The majority ranks the park as an excellent place for information; applicable technology, and motivation for agriculture. The total annual welfare generated by the park is equal to Rs.14.8 million and the park generates positive economic benefits from the 3rd year of its operation.
The results suggest that the park has achieved its major objectives of the project. However, attention has to be paid on programs to attract more early adopters of technology to obtain an immediate impact from the park services and the omitted secondary objectives.
Purpose of the project
1 Quick information dissemination mechanism for farmers, School children and General public.
2 A place to see and learn latest recommendations of crop cultivation and technologies generated by both public and private institutions.
3 A place to see and study traditional/heritage agriculture systems and future hi-tech agriculture.
4 Education and training mechanism for village level extension workers as face to face training of widely dispersed large number is practically an impossible task
5 Strengthening the present research and development activities of Gannoruwa agriculture complex.
6 Information network among agriculture officers, Govijana Kendra, agriculture institutes, both public and private.
7 Aesthetically beautiful landscaping with tropical crops.
8 A site for Eco-tourism/Agro-tourism.
9 To prevent losing the Gannoruwa Agricultural Complex due to non agricultural projects.
10 Generation of funds within the system for its sustainability
11 Sales centre for plants, seeds and other products of government institutions and the private sector entrepreneurs.
Reference
Second Annual Research Forum of SAEA, 2008: Poster Presentation
DAILYNEWS.LK
Giving economic value of agro-technology:
Ganga Illeperuma in Kandy
Agriculture is the most important sector of the Sri Lankan economy. Even though its contribution to the gross domestic product declined substantially during the past 3 decades, it is the most important source of employment for the majority of the Sri Lankan workforce.
Agriculture in Sri Lanka mainly depends on rice production. Its main goal is to achieve an equitable and sustainable agricultural development through development and dissemination of improved agriculture technology.
Students visit the park. Picture: Audio visual centre of Gannoruwa Agriculture Park
There are a few agriculture parks established by the department. One is located at Gannoruwa and the most recent one is at the Bataatha. Bataatha Park has recently become world famous for having the world’s first farmers monument at its entrance.
A novel concept in agricultural extension was introduced in 2004 by establishing an Agro-Technology Park (ATP) at Gannoruwa. There were many objectives to build this park and the main objective is the capacity building of various stakeholders of agriculture. The other objectives include recreation, facilitation of research, promotion of agro-tourism and generation of funds. The ATP provides information on traditional and modern technology related to agriculture.
The visitors to the park comprise objective students and general public and they mainly came from nearby districts.
The majority of adult visitors is directly involved in agriculture and the main purpose of the visit was to improve knowledge in agriculture and recreation. The majority ranks the park as an excellent place for information; applicable technology, and motivation for agriculture. The total annual welfare generated by the park is equal to Rs.14.8 million and the park generates positive economic benefits from the 3rd year of its operation.
The results suggest that the park has achieved its major objectives of the project. However, attention has to be paid on programs to attract more early adopters of technology to obtain an immediate impact from the park services and the omitted secondary objectives.
Purpose of the project
1 Quick information dissemination mechanism for farmers, School children and General public.
2 A place to see and learn latest recommendations of crop cultivation and technologies generated by both public and private institutions.
3 A place to see and study traditional/heritage agriculture systems and future hi-tech agriculture.
4 Education and training mechanism for village level extension workers as face to face training of widely dispersed large number is practically an impossible task
5 Strengthening the present research and development activities of Gannoruwa agriculture complex.
6 Information network among agriculture officers, Govijana Kendra, agriculture institutes, both public and private.
7 Aesthetically beautiful landscaping with tropical crops.
8 A site for Eco-tourism/Agro-tourism.
9 To prevent losing the Gannoruwa Agricultural Complex due to non agricultural projects.
10 Generation of funds within the system for its sustainability
11 Sales centre for plants, seeds and other products of government institutions and the private sector entrepreneurs.
Reference
Second Annual Research Forum of SAEA, 2008: Poster Presentation
DAILYNEWS.LK
SINHALA JUSTIFICATION OF TAMIL GENOCIDE/IDPs/1000s OF PLANE BOMBING,SHELLING,MAIMING INNOCENT CIVILIANS...!!!
Double standards of the West
Mano RATWATTE
I totally agree with President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s comments about the Uva Rebellion and how the Christian Colonial British committed genocide by killing every able bodied man over 18 years of age, razing crops and even taking away the salt from villages in Uva.
World history is replete with incidents where Western nations including the US, Britain, France and Belgium (two leading EU nations) committed crimes against humanity without ever having been called to account for their sins. We all know about how Germany and Japan behaved during World War-II but less is said about the victorious powers, their excesses and the crimes in the Colonies because they won the war; hence their excesses were never brought to light or mentioned at the Hague. No one talks about winners in the same light as the vanquished. That is because the way global media channels are controlled.
A scene from the populous German city of Dresden after American and British Forces dropped more than 700,000 incendiary bombs on Valentines Day eve in 1945. Courtesy: www.worldpress.com
For starters, during the D-Day landing at Normandy, Allied bombers totally wiped out the French Coastal city of Caen even though they knew there were thousands of civilians inside the city along with German Forces. Thousands of French civilians died. Was it necessary?
The bombing of Dresden by the British (RAF) and US Air Force (USAAF) occurred in February 1945 even though it was not a justifiable military target. Nearly 50,000 German civilians perished in what is viewed as a revenge attack for the bombing raids against London earlier in the war. It is reported that 1,300 heavy bombers dropped more than 3,900 tons of high-explosive bombs and incendiary devices on the city. Was it militarily necessary or punitive action?
And amongst the least talked and least acknowledged crimes against humanity was the genocide in Belgian Congo in the early 1900s. Anywhere between three million to eight million Congolese were raped, mutilated and massacred as a direct result of orders by Catholic King Leopold-II of Belgium. Was he ever brought up on war crimes charges? No his actions were condoned by the Belgian Catholic church and news of these atrocities were hidden from the world for a long time. Was it necessary?
These are just a few facts of history. We can examine the excesses by US Forces in Vietnam (MyLai was just one of the few that were exposed thanks to journalists). For example, former Democratic Senator Bob Kerrey of Nebraska acknowledged massacring 25 innocent Vietnamese civilians in a US Navy Seal attack. Senator Bob Kerrey led a seven-member team of Navy Seals into Thanh Phong village in February 1969, and murdered in cold blood more than a dozen women and children. What hardly anyone knows, and what no one in the press is talking about, is that Senator Kerrey was on a CIA mission, and its specific purpose was to kill those women and children. It was illegal, premeditated mass murder and it was a war crime. He had to wait nearly 30 years to admit this crime. Why has no one brought charges against him? Was it a necessary mission? I have never heard Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressing ‘disappointment’ at her friend.
In addition, millions of tons of munitions were unloaded over Cambodia and Vietnam causing millions of civilian deaths. To this date, unsuspecting village people are dying and getting maimed when they step on US ordnance from that ugly war.
Who is to take these crimes to court? Who has even accepted responsibility for such crimes?
Thank you President of Sri Lanka for exposing some of the amazing ways of the Colonial Christian masters of yore. History tells us a lot but the West only selectively uses what is convenient for them. There are so many incidents like that in S.Asia. For example the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in India in April 1919.
Does anyone talk about the displacement of people in the Kandyan provinces that is documented by the Kandyan Peasantry Commission? Which nation permanently altered the demographics of Sri Lanka by bringing in indentured labour from S.India? Has anyone done an analysis of the impact of that massive change on Sri Lanka’s landscape even though it is history now?
Who has ever said Mea Culpa Mea Culpa Mea Maxima Culpa?
Thank you Mister President for challenging those haughty Colonials and neo Colonials. No elected leader before you ever had the courage to call a spade a spade.
dailynews.lk
Mano RATWATTE
I totally agree with President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s comments about the Uva Rebellion and how the Christian Colonial British committed genocide by killing every able bodied man over 18 years of age, razing crops and even taking away the salt from villages in Uva.
World history is replete with incidents where Western nations including the US, Britain, France and Belgium (two leading EU nations) committed crimes against humanity without ever having been called to account for their sins. We all know about how Germany and Japan behaved during World War-II but less is said about the victorious powers, their excesses and the crimes in the Colonies because they won the war; hence their excesses were never brought to light or mentioned at the Hague. No one talks about winners in the same light as the vanquished. That is because the way global media channels are controlled.
A scene from the populous German city of Dresden after American and British Forces dropped more than 700,000 incendiary bombs on Valentines Day eve in 1945. Courtesy: www.worldpress.com
For starters, during the D-Day landing at Normandy, Allied bombers totally wiped out the French Coastal city of Caen even though they knew there were thousands of civilians inside the city along with German Forces. Thousands of French civilians died. Was it necessary?
The bombing of Dresden by the British (RAF) and US Air Force (USAAF) occurred in February 1945 even though it was not a justifiable military target. Nearly 50,000 German civilians perished in what is viewed as a revenge attack for the bombing raids against London earlier in the war. It is reported that 1,300 heavy bombers dropped more than 3,900 tons of high-explosive bombs and incendiary devices on the city. Was it militarily necessary or punitive action?
And amongst the least talked and least acknowledged crimes against humanity was the genocide in Belgian Congo in the early 1900s. Anywhere between three million to eight million Congolese were raped, mutilated and massacred as a direct result of orders by Catholic King Leopold-II of Belgium. Was he ever brought up on war crimes charges? No his actions were condoned by the Belgian Catholic church and news of these atrocities were hidden from the world for a long time. Was it necessary?
These are just a few facts of history. We can examine the excesses by US Forces in Vietnam (MyLai was just one of the few that were exposed thanks to journalists). For example, former Democratic Senator Bob Kerrey of Nebraska acknowledged massacring 25 innocent Vietnamese civilians in a US Navy Seal attack. Senator Bob Kerrey led a seven-member team of Navy Seals into Thanh Phong village in February 1969, and murdered in cold blood more than a dozen women and children. What hardly anyone knows, and what no one in the press is talking about, is that Senator Kerrey was on a CIA mission, and its specific purpose was to kill those women and children. It was illegal, premeditated mass murder and it was a war crime. He had to wait nearly 30 years to admit this crime. Why has no one brought charges against him? Was it a necessary mission? I have never heard Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressing ‘disappointment’ at her friend.
In addition, millions of tons of munitions were unloaded over Cambodia and Vietnam causing millions of civilian deaths. To this date, unsuspecting village people are dying and getting maimed when they step on US ordnance from that ugly war.
Who is to take these crimes to court? Who has even accepted responsibility for such crimes?
Thank you President of Sri Lanka for exposing some of the amazing ways of the Colonial Christian masters of yore. History tells us a lot but the West only selectively uses what is convenient for them. There are so many incidents like that in S.Asia. For example the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in India in April 1919.
Does anyone talk about the displacement of people in the Kandyan provinces that is documented by the Kandyan Peasantry Commission? Which nation permanently altered the demographics of Sri Lanka by bringing in indentured labour from S.India? Has anyone done an analysis of the impact of that massive change on Sri Lanka’s landscape even though it is history now?
Who has ever said Mea Culpa Mea Culpa Mea Maxima Culpa?
Thank you Mister President for challenging those haughty Colonials and neo Colonials. No elected leader before you ever had the courage to call a spade a spade.
dailynews.lk
Troops also began to rob, plunder and pillage the towns and villages as if they were enemy territory...!!!
The British and the Suppression of the Rebellion (1817-1818)
Dr. K.D.G. Wimalaratne,
It was hardly two years after the Kandyan convention was signed in 1815, a ‘war of independence’ wrongly or deliberately called by the British as a “Rebellion” broke out in the Kandyan provinces in September – October, 1817.
All British writers termed the uprising as an”Insurrection” or a “Rebellion”, However, the events proved that it was a movement not to preserve, but to recover their independence from foreign yoke. Accordingly, it was a war of independence.
Dr. Henry Marshall, who was the British Army physician, wrote that, when the insurrection broke out in October 1817, “here is every reason for feeling that no organized conspiracy against the English existed among any class of inhabitants of the Kandyan country, but uniformity of feeling supplied the plan of organization, they all wished to be quit of us.’ (Henry Marshall, Account of Ceylon, 1846) pg. 133 Simon Sawers, Revenue Commissioner of the Kandyan provinces, says in a note that “Outbreak of the Rebellion in the Province of Vellasse was purely accidential, people of other Provinces were as much taken by surprise, as were the Authorities.” Any well digested principle of independence or any intention to emanicipate themselves from the Jhraldom of Rajakariya, was his observation:
However, through the dispatches of Governor Brownrigg, an undercurrent of uneasiness could be seen.
“Perfect tranquility in all provinces, but a spirit of coldness towards the British Garrison exits in Uva and Vellasse, where the people still continue to live in the jungle.” (Despatch No. 116, 20.07.1815, SLNA 5/8)
Brownrigg knew that British rule was unpopular and was constantly on his guard against possible revolt. This is clear from the fact that in 1816, the Government arrested some of the priests and nobles who had formed a plot to destroy the garrison and expel the British from Kandy. (Governor to Sec: of State, 5.11.1816)
Although the Kandyan Convention guaranteed the protection of Buddhist places of worship, there was no scheme to supervise the upkeep of temples, as a result armies broke into Asgiriya Vihara and stole caskets, relics and other articles of worship. Troops also began to rob, plunder and pillage the towns and villages as if they were enemy territory. With the approval of the governor the treasures of the Kandyan king were plundered and an army prize committee was set up for the distribution of his treasures. On 15th Sept. 1816, Madugalle Uda Gabada Nilame was convicted of treason and intrigue. He was imprisoned in Jaffna. Madugalle Uda Gabada Nilame’s request to bid farewell to his wife and children was rejected by the Governor who directed D’oyly to burn the Nilame’s residence publicly and confiscate his property.
By Feb: March 1818 the whole country was against the British, except the lower saffragam,the three and four korales, Udunuwaera and Yatinuwera. On 21st February 1818 Martial Law was declared throughout the Kandyan provinces. This shows that the Governor was quite sure that the war for independence will soon spread to other areas as well. The success of the rebels was seen when the Governor called additional troops from India, although the Colonial Office in April 1818 advised to vacate the Kandyan provinces and withdraw the British troops to the littoral. However, Governor Brownrigg’s repeated appeals to the Governor of Madras was answered belatedly by sending 2000 fighting men, 4000 pioneers and coolies from India. The 2nd battalion of the 73rd foot was here who fought the battle of Waterloo in 1815.
The war of independence originated in Uva and Wellassa and on 27th November 1817, Governor Brownrigg already decided and informed the Colonial office that ‘he considers the rebellion can be suppressed early by burning and laying waste the property of the Head-men, their leaders’ Brownrigg thought that the rebellion was an act of gross ingratitude in view of the benefits conferred on the country. (Despatch 259, 30/1/1818)
Suppression of the war of Independence
It is very unfortunate that no Sinhalese record of the events in respect of the suppression of the war of independence exists, and the historian has to glean his facts from cautiously worded dispatches of the British Governor and officials, and also from secondary, published works either contemporary or otherwise.
The ways which Governor Brownrigg used to suppress the rebellion, painted him as a ‘vicious insane autocrat and arrogrant’, the same way in which he propagated to the Kandyan chiefs that Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe was a “barbarous and a despotic king” before the invasion of the Kandyan kingdom in February 1815.
Governor Brownrigg wrote to Lord Bathurst, Secretary of State a dispatch No: 248, 7.11.1817, in the following manner.
“Major MacDonald now thought that an example of severity be shown. The houses all round (Oosanwella, Wellasse,) were therefore burnt and all property found, cattle, grain etc. was either carried off or destroyed
Writing further in a dispatch No. 258, of 28.12.1817, he informed the Colonial Office that, Major MacDonald has collected provisions enough from the property of the rebels to supply the garrison in Uva for ten months.”
After encircling the fruitful plain of Wellessa, which consisted of many peaceful villages, everyone of them was burnt to the ground and the cattle, grain and other property abandoned or destroyed.
When Sylvester Douglas Wilson, A.G.A. Badulla was killed by the rebels, Major MacDonald declared that “this act of severity, I trust will not be disapproved of , considering the horrid act of barbarity committed on Wilson’s party by the people of those villages.’
‘The terrible sight of devastation appeared to dismay the natives- they ceased to shout or skirmish and only ventured upon the skirts of the plain to gaze in silence’. MacDonald also emphasized that there was no resource left but to burn and lay waste the property of the Headmen, their leaders. He further elaborated by commenting that, revolts needed to be dealt with by such rigorous measures and stated that they were the only means left to reduce the refractory to submission.
Major, MacDonald was a crafty army officer, and to console his feelings, he suggested that at some future date compensation could be paid for the losses inflicted. His seemingly frank exposition of his plans were so worded as to conceal from the authorities in England their ruthlessness in practice.
Andawela Mohottala was considered responsible for the death of Dr. John Kennedy, Asst. Surgeon, 1st Ceylon regiment, when he was clubbed and killed by the rebels. With out any inquiry, Mohottala’s house near Tibbotugoada, with all his property was destroyed, the buldings in the neighbourhood burnt and the fruit trees round them cut down. Eighty bullock loads of paddy were looted from Gamagala Raterales barn near Ahapola. Houses of six headmen burnt at Madulla, and 20 women and children were killed. A man carrying arms was executed under a Bo-tree. Buffalos grazing the fields were slaughtered.
Major MacDonald activities brought in a reign of terror in the most brutal and ferocious manner in Uva and Wellassa.
On the orders of Brownrigg, Major MacDonald’s killed all men above 18 years of age, houses were destroyed and burnt, fruit bearing tress felled and grain destroyed or confiscated. Irrigation tanks and canals of Uva and Wellassa were breached. Cattle belonging to the people, which were in excess of the requirements of the British army was destroyed. Governor Brownrigg took pride in the ruthless rapidity with which his armies depopulated the region.
To be continued.
Dr. Wimalaratne was the Former Director General Archives
dailymirror.lk
Sunday, July 19, 2009
From Jawaharlal Nehru to Rahul Gandhi
Perspectives of the largest representative body in the world’s largest democracy
By Chandani Kirinde in New Delhi, India
It was from the floor of this House that the first Prime Minister of India Shri Jawaharlal Nehru addressed his nation soon after midnight on August 15, 1947 to declare the end of British rule in India.
Nearly 62 years later, among the occupants of that same legislature is his great grandson Rahul Gandhi, who along with a large number of young lawmakers now constitute the backbone of the members elected to the Lok Sabha (People’s Assembly) -all elected directly by the people to run the highest representative body in the world’s largest democracy.
As the country enters a period of unprecedented economic and social development, the country’s parliament too has evolved into a modern institution with the people and the press active players in its effective functioning.
The Indian Parliament
The fifteenth Lok Sabha which was elected two months ago has already had several firsts to its credit, including recording the largest number of female members elected to Parliament (58) and electing Meira Kumar as the first woman Speaker to be in charge of a House that is known to turn turbulent more often than not. The 15th Lok Sabha also has a record number of first-time entrants to parliament who number 282 in the 542 constituting the House. Veteran politician Margaret Alva who served four terms as a Member of the Upper House of Parliament -the Rajya Sabha- and later on in the Lok Sabha as well as a government Minister, but was defeated at the recent polls sees the changes, particularly the high percentage of women’s participation as positive for the future of the country.
“There are many new faces in the House and this augurs well for the country as we move into an era of unprecedented development. The participation of women not only at this level but even at village level in decision-making bodies is a positive development,” said Ms. Alva who now serves as the Honorary Advisor to the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training (BTST).
The Bureau conducts orientation programmes for new-comers to parliament which include training to be effective MPs as well as educating them on the country’s foreign policy, economic policies as well as training in the use of computers. “All MPs in the Indian Parliament are given their official email address and the public can use electronic mail to contact the lawmaker of their area,” Ms. Alva explained.
India has a bicameral legislature consisting of two Houses, the Lok Sabha elected for a term of five years directly by the people and the Rajya Sabha or the Council of States which consists of 250 indirectly elected members; 238 representing the country’s 28 states and six union territories and 12 persons nominated by the President from among eminent persons in the fields of science, literature, arts and social services. The goings on particularly of the Lok Sabha draws much interest among the people of India, with another first to its credit; the proceedings of the Lok Sabha can be watched uninterrupted, unedited and live by millions of its countrymen with the revolutionary introduction of a Lok Sabha TV --an in-house transmitting station which began its 24-hour operation in 2006.
The Lok Sabha is the only legislature in the world to transmit proceedings of the House from an in-house facility --an idea first conceived by the former Speaker of the Lok Sabha Somnath Chatterjee whose idea was that the parliamentry proceedings should reach every home in India.
With ten robotic cameras placed at vantage points within the Chambers of the Lok Sabha, all proceedings are beamed through the in-house station giving direct access to the masses to the goings on in the House.
“There is growing awareness among the people about how parliament works as well as how their elected representatives perform in the legislature. The members too are aware they are being watched and so are conscious of their responsibilities” said Suneet Tandon, Chief Executive of “Lok Sabha TV”. He said the TV station is a public service channel and its purpose is not to entertain but to keep the people informed on issues that private stations do not devote time to.
Funding for running the channel is allocated from the annual budget of parliament and is answerable directly to the Speaker. It telecasts only public service advertisements from state run institutions. “We are not guided by commercial considerations and have no agenda. People get to see everything as it happens” Mr Tandon said. As parliament sits for an average of around 100 days a year, the staff of Lok Sabha TV have their hands full preparing programmes to transmit when proceedings are not on.
With equal air time given to government and opposition legislators, these programmes include discussions on bills pending in the House, fresh legislation as well as historic aspects of parliament itself. There are also special panelists who take part in programmes which are recorded at the five studios operating in the Lok Sabha TV station.
Parliamentary correspondents are well placed in the Indian parliament with the Press Advisory Committee (PAC) made up of senior representatives of the press appointed by the Speaker annually to look into the needs of journalists, as well as to, examine complaints against them and to ensure the smooth navigation of often shaky relations that crop up between politicians and members of the press.
The Committee works to complement the work of the Press and Public Relations Wing of the Indian parliament --a body which has been in operation since 1956-- to liaise with the press in its coverage of the lok Sabha.
“Journalists covering parliament too need to take their work seriously and be aware of the procedures followed here. Similarly legislators are expected to be aware of the rights of journalists. In this way there is better co-operation between us”, said Saroj Nagi who heads the PAC this year.
More than 400 journalists are accredited to cover the proceedings of the two houses of the Indian parliament, but to qualify for a permanent press pass requires at least five years journalistic experience of which at least a year should have been covering proceedings in the House.
“This is not a tourist spot and as we recommend the issuance of the permanent pass, we have made it mandatory these press people undergo training in parliamentary procedure to qualify for it,” she added.
SUNDAYTIMES.LK
Perspectives of the largest representative body in the world’s largest democracy
By Chandani Kirinde in New Delhi, India
It was from the floor of this House that the first Prime Minister of India Shri Jawaharlal Nehru addressed his nation soon after midnight on August 15, 1947 to declare the end of British rule in India.
Nearly 62 years later, among the occupants of that same legislature is his great grandson Rahul Gandhi, who along with a large number of young lawmakers now constitute the backbone of the members elected to the Lok Sabha (People’s Assembly) -all elected directly by the people to run the highest representative body in the world’s largest democracy.
As the country enters a period of unprecedented economic and social development, the country’s parliament too has evolved into a modern institution with the people and the press active players in its effective functioning.
The Indian Parliament
The fifteenth Lok Sabha which was elected two months ago has already had several firsts to its credit, including recording the largest number of female members elected to Parliament (58) and electing Meira Kumar as the first woman Speaker to be in charge of a House that is known to turn turbulent more often than not. The 15th Lok Sabha also has a record number of first-time entrants to parliament who number 282 in the 542 constituting the House. Veteran politician Margaret Alva who served four terms as a Member of the Upper House of Parliament -the Rajya Sabha- and later on in the Lok Sabha as well as a government Minister, but was defeated at the recent polls sees the changes, particularly the high percentage of women’s participation as positive for the future of the country.
“There are many new faces in the House and this augurs well for the country as we move into an era of unprecedented development. The participation of women not only at this level but even at village level in decision-making bodies is a positive development,” said Ms. Alva who now serves as the Honorary Advisor to the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training (BTST).
The Bureau conducts orientation programmes for new-comers to parliament which include training to be effective MPs as well as educating them on the country’s foreign policy, economic policies as well as training in the use of computers. “All MPs in the Indian Parliament are given their official email address and the public can use electronic mail to contact the lawmaker of their area,” Ms. Alva explained.
India has a bicameral legislature consisting of two Houses, the Lok Sabha elected for a term of five years directly by the people and the Rajya Sabha or the Council of States which consists of 250 indirectly elected members; 238 representing the country’s 28 states and six union territories and 12 persons nominated by the President from among eminent persons in the fields of science, literature, arts and social services. The goings on particularly of the Lok Sabha draws much interest among the people of India, with another first to its credit; the proceedings of the Lok Sabha can be watched uninterrupted, unedited and live by millions of its countrymen with the revolutionary introduction of a Lok Sabha TV --an in-house transmitting station which began its 24-hour operation in 2006.
The Lok Sabha is the only legislature in the world to transmit proceedings of the House from an in-house facility --an idea first conceived by the former Speaker of the Lok Sabha Somnath Chatterjee whose idea was that the parliamentry proceedings should reach every home in India.
With ten robotic cameras placed at vantage points within the Chambers of the Lok Sabha, all proceedings are beamed through the in-house station giving direct access to the masses to the goings on in the House.
“There is growing awareness among the people about how parliament works as well as how their elected representatives perform in the legislature. The members too are aware they are being watched and so are conscious of their responsibilities” said Suneet Tandon, Chief Executive of “Lok Sabha TV”. He said the TV station is a public service channel and its purpose is not to entertain but to keep the people informed on issues that private stations do not devote time to.
Funding for running the channel is allocated from the annual budget of parliament and is answerable directly to the Speaker. It telecasts only public service advertisements from state run institutions. “We are not guided by commercial considerations and have no agenda. People get to see everything as it happens” Mr Tandon said. As parliament sits for an average of around 100 days a year, the staff of Lok Sabha TV have their hands full preparing programmes to transmit when proceedings are not on.
With equal air time given to government and opposition legislators, these programmes include discussions on bills pending in the House, fresh legislation as well as historic aspects of parliament itself. There are also special panelists who take part in programmes which are recorded at the five studios operating in the Lok Sabha TV station.
Parliamentary correspondents are well placed in the Indian parliament with the Press Advisory Committee (PAC) made up of senior representatives of the press appointed by the Speaker annually to look into the needs of journalists, as well as to, examine complaints against them and to ensure the smooth navigation of often shaky relations that crop up between politicians and members of the press.
The Committee works to complement the work of the Press and Public Relations Wing of the Indian parliament --a body which has been in operation since 1956-- to liaise with the press in its coverage of the lok Sabha.
“Journalists covering parliament too need to take their work seriously and be aware of the procedures followed here. Similarly legislators are expected to be aware of the rights of journalists. In this way there is better co-operation between us”, said Saroj Nagi who heads the PAC this year.
More than 400 journalists are accredited to cover the proceedings of the two houses of the Indian parliament, but to qualify for a permanent press pass requires at least five years journalistic experience of which at least a year should have been covering proceedings in the House.
“This is not a tourist spot and as we recommend the issuance of the permanent pass, we have made it mandatory these press people undergo training in parliamentary procedure to qualify for it,” she added.
SUNDAYTIMES.LK
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Balance sheet of ' LIFE'.....!!!
மௌனராகங்கள்
Thursday, 16 July 2009
-----------------------------------------
Balance sheet of ' LIFE'
(Dear friends,
I received this from my friend and would like to share this with you. Sorry I couldn't translate this into Tamil.)
Our Birth is our Opening Balance!
Our Death is our Closing Balance!
Our Prejudiced Views are our Liabilities
Our Creative Ideas are our Assets
Heart is our Current Asset
Soul is our Fixed Asset
Brain is our Fixed Deposit
Thinking is our Current Account
Achievements are our Capital
Character & Morals, our Stock-in-Trade
Friends are our General Reserves
Values & Behaviour are our Goodwill
Patience is our Interest Earned
Love is our Dividend
Children are our Bonus Issues
Education is Brands / Patents
Knowledge is our Investment
Experience is our Premium Account
The Aim is to Tally the Balance Sheet Accurately.
The Goal is to get the Best Presented Accounts Award.
Some very Good and Very bad things ...
The most destructive habit....... ........ .......Worry
The greatest Joy......... ......... .......... ...Giving
The greatest loss.......Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work........ .........Helping others
The ugliest personality trait........ .....Selfishness
The most endangered species..... ....Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource.... ......... ...Our youth
The greatest 'shot in the arm'........ .Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome.... ........ ...Fear
The most effective sleeping pill....... Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease...... .......Excuses
The most powerful force in life........ ........... Love
The most dangerous act......... ..A gossip
The world's most incredible computer.... ....The brain
The worst thing to be without..... .......... ..... Hope
The deadliest weapon...... ........ ........The tongue
The two most power-filled words....... ........ 'I Can'
The greatest asset....... ............. ........ ....Faith
The most worthless emotion.... ......... ....Self- pity
The most beautiful attire......... ......... ........SMILE!
The most prized possession.. ........ ........Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication. ....Prayer
The most contagious spirit...... ......... ......Enthusiasm
Life ends; when you stop Dreaming,
Hope ends; when you stop Believing,
Love ends; when you stop Caring,
And Friendship ends; when you stop Sharing.
courtesy..maunarakankal.blogspot.com
Thursday, 16 July 2009
-----------------------------------------
Balance sheet of ' LIFE'
(Dear friends,
I received this from my friend and would like to share this with you. Sorry I couldn't translate this into Tamil.)
Our Birth is our Opening Balance!
Our Death is our Closing Balance!
Our Prejudiced Views are our Liabilities
Our Creative Ideas are our Assets
Heart is our Current Asset
Soul is our Fixed Asset
Brain is our Fixed Deposit
Thinking is our Current Account
Achievements are our Capital
Character & Morals, our Stock-in-Trade
Friends are our General Reserves
Values & Behaviour are our Goodwill
Patience is our Interest Earned
Love is our Dividend
Children are our Bonus Issues
Education is Brands / Patents
Knowledge is our Investment
Experience is our Premium Account
The Aim is to Tally the Balance Sheet Accurately.
The Goal is to get the Best Presented Accounts Award.
Some very Good and Very bad things ...
The most destructive habit....... ........ .......Worry
The greatest Joy......... ......... .......... ...Giving
The greatest loss.......Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work........ .........Helping others
The ugliest personality trait........ .....Selfishness
The most endangered species..... ....Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource.... ......... ...Our youth
The greatest 'shot in the arm'........ .Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome.... ........ ...Fear
The most effective sleeping pill....... Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease...... .......Excuses
The most powerful force in life........ ........... Love
The most dangerous act......... ..A gossip
The world's most incredible computer.... ....The brain
The worst thing to be without..... .......... ..... Hope
The deadliest weapon...... ........ ........The tongue
The two most power-filled words....... ........ 'I Can'
The greatest asset....... ............. ........ ....Faith
The most worthless emotion.... ......... ....Self- pity
The most beautiful attire......... ......... ........SMILE!
The most prized possession.. ........ ........Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication. ....Prayer
The most contagious spirit...... ......... ......Enthusiasm
Life ends; when you stop Dreaming,
Hope ends; when you stop Believing,
Love ends; when you stop Caring,
And Friendship ends; when you stop Sharing.
courtesy..maunarakankal.blogspot.com
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