The Fight for Kashmir
As an outsider you do not know much of the going-ons in other countries, it kind of makes you think that you're lucky that Australia, is comparatively safe. For example, India has two different wars going on at the same time (although, one of them they have stopped trying to intervene). The first is the fight for Kashmir, a region in the north most part of India, bordering Pakistan, and the Himalayans to China. Ashwin sent me some pictures of Kashmir, and boy, are they breath-taking. The region is known as a tourist attraction due to these picturesque views of nature.
Dudipatsar lake
Deosai (below), is the highest plateau in the world
The Pakistan-India war has been raging for a long while now, ever since India allowed Pakistan to become independent. Pakistan came and invaded part of Kashmir. Pakistan then handed over a portion of the captured region to China. The Pakistani part of Kashmir is inhabited wholly by the Pakistan military (see current territories below).
When Pakistan tried to claim more of the Indian-owned Kashmir region, in 1999, many worldwide politicians condemned Pakistan, but the Pakistani government denied it was on their orders, pointing the finger to the military. And I thought Imran Khan was cool, back in the days of old skool cricket.Some may think that Kashmir should belong to Pakistan as there is a majority of muslims living there, and a little known fact, India is surrounded on both sides by Pakistan. East Pakistan, a.k.a Bangladesh is on India's right. It would only seem right that they join up at the top? But no, apparently, India have been very successful defending their land. India bases its claim to Kashmir off Maharaja Hari Singh's decision to give Kashmir to India during the India-Pakistan split (Pakistan use to be part of India).
Kashmir is considered one of the world's most dangerous territorial disputes due to the nuclear capabilities of India and Pakistan.
LTTE
The second war, that originated from India, is the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) a.k.a. Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka. They are fighting against the Sri Lankan government to have their own state in the north and eastern parts (depicted in a dark orange colour, left) of Sri Lanka.
They originated from the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu (see India map, right). Many Tamils had immigrated to Sri Lanka, and wanted their own Tamil State in Sri Lanka. They are a militant organisation, of which many countries have labelled them 'terrorists'. The group also established the 'Black Tigers', a special unit of suicide attacks against political, economic and military targets.The LTTE advocates equality for women, and has a large number of female recruits. The assassination of Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, was killed by a female Black Tiger.
4 comments:
Wow! It's like wikipedia ... but on your blog. I'm impressed. What's the basis for LTTE wanting their own Tamil State? Just because?
Yes, that is correct Marissa, just because. But also, their reasoning may stem from the Sri Lankan government's regulations that Tamils and Sri Lankans are treated differently, i.e. Tamils are treated as a minority.
I like that reasoning : "just because". I think that should be a valid reason for doing anything.
Great history lesson Shar. I always wanted to know the proper name for Tamil Tigers. Imran Khan is cool just because he managed to marry someone called "Jamima". I want to name my kid Jamima.
Heheh, well she left him for a Mr Grant, didn't she? :) Looks like your daughter will be destined to be married to a handsome hubby.
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