Unique agitation by All India Students Federation
[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 November 2008, 21:49 GMT]
A special train, carrying over 2000 students of Tamil Nadu, members of the All India Students Federation (AISF), left Chennai on Wednesday to march towards the Indian Parliament in New Delhi, demanding end of attacks on Eezham Tamils, stoppage of military aid to Sri Lanka and initiation of peaceful political solution to the crisis. Students from many other states of India will join them in the agitation scheduled for Friday. Such an event is first in the history of AISF, said S. Mahendran, senior leader of the Communist Party of India, guiding the students.
More than 2,000 students throng the platform before going onboard the 'Messenger of tears' train
D. Pandian, the state secretary of the CPI in Tamil Nadu addressing the participants
“Your voice is going to be the voice of all. Your voice is going to be echoed in several languages when students from 18 states will join you in Delhi”, said D.Pandian, Secretary, CPI, Tamil Nadu, in his address of send off to the students at the Memorial Hall, Chennai, Wednesday afternoon.
“Ceasefire is not one-sided, said some. But when the CPI raised the matter the LTTE responded with their preparedness. Why India is still unable to press for it?”
“Rajapaksa says the Tigers have to lay down arms. A Tamil will die standing on his feet, and never by begging on his knees”, Pandian said.
Addressing the send off, MDMK leader Vaiko said that the whole world was watching the event and that he was grateful to CPI for undertaking the venture. “It was the initial effort of the CPI on October 2, that awakened Tamil Nadu on the plight of Eezham Tamils”, he said.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi President Thol. Thirumavalavan who addressed the students said, "We were fooled because we believed that the Karunanidhi-Pranab Mukherjee meeting would have put a full stop to the war in Eelam."
The speakers included, Udhayakumar, the Students Secretary of the AIADMK, Ravindra Thuraisamy, advisor, AISMK, actors Manorama and Satyaraj and poet Arivumathi.
The student participants are from all the districts of Tamil Nadu and the special train has been named ‘Messenger of Tears’ (Ka’n’neer Thoothuvan).
Many dignitaries, including CPI central committee member R. Nallakannu were at the platform, Chennai Central Station for the send off.
Actor Satyaraj flagged off the train.
Students, social and political activists, listening to the speeches
CPI leaders, actor Satyaraj, before students embarking on 'Messenger of tears' train campaign towards New Delhi from Chennai [Photo courtesy: Janasakthi]
CPI Tamil Nadu State Secretary D. Pandian wishing success to students leaders
CPI leaders and Poet Arivumathi encouraging students of the train campaign
Vaiko, General Secretary of MDMK, addressing the students
VCK President Thol. Thirumavalavan addressing the audience
Political leaders of CPI, AIDMK, VCK, MDMK and AISMK with veteran actress Manorama expressing solidarity with Eezham Tamils [Photo courtesy: Janasakthi]
Veteran Tamil actress Manorama, who has acted in more than 6,000 films, addresing the students. Ms. Manorama has actively participated in the campaign for Eezham Tamils. Fondly called Aachchi, she has earned a Guinness record for acting in maximum number of movies.
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