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Karthigaipoo or Gloriosa lily, known to the ancient Tamils as “Kaanthal Malar”, and to the botanical world as Gloriosa superba, is the National flower of Tamileelam. This and other varieties of its genus the flower can be found in Tamileelam, India, China, Malayan Peninsula and in parts of Africa.

ThisThis glorious flower was officially designated as the ‘National flower of Tamileelam’ by the administration of Tamileelam during the Great Heroes (Maaveerar) remembrance week in November 2003. Further, the administration has requested residents and nationalist all over to wear the flower on all occasions of National significance.

When we look at states in general it is evident that they traditionally declare select a flower as their National flower which is closely related to their tradition, culture and ethos. The Karthigai flower is no different; it too has a deep tradition, linked to the Tamil culture and is characteristic of the spirit of the Nation.

Let’s explore two main reasons associated with the spirit of the Nation for the selection of the Karthigai flower as the national flower. It is a fact that all four colours of the National flag of Tamileelam, Red, Yellow, Black and White, can all be found as part of the spectrum of colours of the flower. Further, the flower only blossoms in the month of November, the month of the Great Heroes day celebrations. Both these have national significance and therefore selection of the flower for this aspect alone would be very fitting and enough.

AmongstAmongst other reasons for its selection include the fact that the Karthigai flower is deeply rooted in Tamil culture and has been mentioned in Sangam literature, even the variation in the colouration of the flower has been described. For example, when the petals of the Karthigai flower changes colours it is described by various Tamil names, when the flower is white, i.e. before the flower forms the rich red pigmentation, it is described as Ven-Kaanthal, once it fully matures and appears bright red at its tips the flower is described as Chenk-Kaanthal.

ItIt is worth noting here that in the Sangam texts the flower has mostly been mentioned as Kaanthal, its traditional Tamil name. The Karthigai name is synonymous to the month in the Hindu calendar, Karthigai (November 14/15 – December 14/15), during which the flower blossoms. Due to the cultural ties it may be fitting for the Tamils to adopt the flowers traditional Tamil name.

Another reason for its selection is due to its traditional use of the flower. It has been used for medical purposes by the ancient Tamils in both Siddha Vaidhyam (Siddha medicine) and Ayurvedic practices. The substance Colchicine, the primary ingredient in the medicinal use of the plant, has been used for the treatment of various skin disorders and even for scorpion bites.

TheThe glorious Karthigai flower not only represents the Nation of Eelam Tamils but also the Eelam Tamils themselves. People should take care when handling the flower, ensuring that it doesn’t fall on the ground where it can easily be stepped on, for this is a sign of disrespect. The flower should also be made available and worn at all occasions of National significance.

IN November 2013, David Cameron alias the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the leader of the Conservative party attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. His attendance made Britain, one of the 28 states to have attended the meeting out of the original 53.

PriorPrior to his departure, there were various controversies regarding the Prime Minister’s decision to attend the CHOGM. Despite receiving resistance from his own party and criticisms from the opposition, media and the Tamil Diaspora he still continued with his visit. Mr David Cameron was called to boycott the event on the basis that Sri Lanka has ‘failed to provide answers to neither its record of serious human rights violations nor any accountability for its wartime abuses’.

TheThe protest to boycott the summit was extended to countries that included a large Tamil Community such as Canada and India. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada was the first to pull out of the summit in April while urging his counterparts to do the same. This was followed by the Indian Prime Minister, who was under pressure to respect the wishes of Tamil Nadu not to overshadow the massacre of Tamil civilians by Sri Lankan military forces in the final months of the Civil War in 2009.

One could say that Mr David Cameron’s decision to attend the event was another blow to the British Tamil community. Looking back on the history which created this Commonwealth Realm – United Kingdom can be held responsible for uniting two separate nations which differed in language, culture and tradition into one. The consequence of the decision made 60 years ago is still raw and continues to affect today’s politics. Looking back on recent years, the Tamil community gathered in front of Parliament Square in 2009 for 75 days calling for a ceasefire in Sri Lanka. They called upon the British Government toto use its international power as well as its commonwealth relations as a tool to intervene in the war that was described as a ‘bloodbath’ by the United Nations. The British Government's response did not meet the expectations that were held by the Tamil diaspora. The Tamil diaspora was once again left to fight its own battles without any support from the government that it had supported and voted for. The Tamil community in the UK has repeatedly called for the British government to push for an independent international investigation into the genocide committed by the Sri Lankan state.

Demonstrators tried to pass pictures of missing loved ones through the prime minister's car window.

Pic: TheGuardian

You may ask ‘What is there to gain out of David Cameron’s boycott?’ Wouldn’t the Prime Minister of United Kingdom going there put a spotlight on your problems? He could go directly speak to the man responsible for the actions that Sri Lanka is being accused of – If so why would one boycott such significant opportunity? These are one of the many opinions that were expressed by those who were in support of David Cameron’s decision. Well, let us consider this scenario. David Cameron – a leader of one of the most developed countries refuses to attend a summit because of its serious human rights abuses. Imagine the spotlight on that.

However, despite the entire controversies surrounding the CHOGM, Mr Cameron went ahead with one condition which was access to visit the north of the country which suffered the worst due to the war. He became the first leader to travel to this region since the country gained independence. independence.

He said his intention was to directly meet the people who were affected by the conflict. Newspapers in the UK wrote that Tamils in Sri Lanka hailed him as ‘god’ making his visit a success. There is however another way of looking at why Mr Cameron had such a response to his visit. As mentioned above, there were two kingdoms in Sri Lanka with difference in language, cultural and tradition. Nonetheless,Nonetheless, there is one similarity – skin colour. Both the abusers and the abused skin colour are the same. It has become very difficult to judge between those who abuse them and those who may help without penalising them in Sri Lanka. The entrance of a person whose skin colour is different to theirs – whose visit has brought a large amount of attention from newspapers and politicians willwill have made the Tamils in Sri Lanka think that finally a person is here to help them - to answer their questions - to fight for their freedom. Has David Cameron given them false new hope or has he answered their prayers?

Will Mr Cameron now do something to save the Tamils who face genocide at the hands of the Sri Lankan government? With the recent verdict given by the Permanent People's Tribunal will Mr Cameron now call for an Independent International Investigation into the crimes of genocide committed by Sri Lanka? Or will he continue to turn a blind eye?

Pic: Demotix

As Tamil youth in UK, we have the ultimate duty of educating others, as well as ourselves of the suffering of the Tamil people.

Understanding is crucial and with understanding comes awareness, the most essential step in the path to progress.

Ignorance is not a bliss.

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