Page First Published: 26th June, 2019
Last updated: June 26, 2019 at 9:18 am
The tiger is often used as a symbol of strength and fearlessness. In Sri Lanka, a country in Asia, two ethnicities were waging war.
One named their soldiers “The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
How was your childhood? Was it good or bad? Did your parents beat you too much or did they ground you from watching TV too much. Did you have enough of superman and spiderman. How about Giligan Islands and Saved by the Bells.
If you’re an eighties or nineties child, you probably had your fill of the Power Rangers!
For me, I’ve had my fair share of softball cricket out in the streets, of swimming in the trenches and beaches and television shows.
But the children who were recruited to fight for the much dreamed about independent ethnic state Tamil Eelam were not so luckly. Yes, the leader of this resistance recruited and forced many women and children to fight in this decades-long war between the ethnic Tamil people and the Sri Lankan government- a war that engaged the Indian army to fight against he Tamils.
Not all of the fighters were voluntary. This letter, taken from the body of a slain female Tiger, sheds light on the tribulations endured by both the civilians and people of the Tamil State in a war that started in the early 1980s and ended around 2010.
31.01.2008
Loving Appa, Amma, Rajini, Dercy, Gamri, Kuyinsa, Tharakutti, Thambakutti … I am all right. I pray God that you be blessed. Is Amma well?
There is a rumor here that something has happened at home.
I am crying and shedding tears here. Our handler will send us home if there is a problem at home. But nobody knows whether it would ever happen.
I send a latter to Amma. The person who undertook to deliver the letter promised to bring back a reply from Amma. But so far I have not heard anything from that person.
I already send five letters home. Did you receive them? I will send this letter by hand through Suda teacher’s Shanthi (English teacher at Pudukudirippu).
I am now at the rear base of Mullikulam in Mannar. The area is always shelled. We use to run to bunkers for safety. When will I be able to get out of this hell? I am not sure whether it might ever happen.
Amma, Appa, Rajini and all, I always remember you. Don’t unnecessarily waste your time thinking about me and fasting without food. If Amma falls sick seriously, inform me. Then they will arrange to show her to me.
Amma, don’t worry about me. I am all right. Can’t help. This is the path that God has crated for me I live with the hope that some day or other God Almighty will reunite us.
Appa, I am safe here by the Grace of God that you daily worship. Amma, do they still arrest the family members of deserters? Now they abduct two if there are five in the family.
Amma, please sent away Sarasila to Vavuniya. Otherwise, she will also be abducted.
How is Jagsa? Is uncle writing to you? What is Thuvajara doing? How is Shashi Akka?
Getting my release from here is only a dream, but you must not be moved by that. Let’s wait and see whether they will leave me to go home.
I am sorry that my age is passing. What else shall I write?
Dercy, Kawsita, be careful don’t be obstinate.
Kara, Kutti, Thambi you also be careful. God bless you.
T. Jenny
