Canadian Tamil Congress successfully hosts the 16th Annual Thai Pongal & Tamil Heritage Month Celebration
Awards were presented to Canada’s Minister for National Defence Hon. Anita Anand and lifelong community activist Mr. Arul S. Aruliah
The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) hosted its 16th annual Thai Pongal & Tamil Heritage Month Dinner on January 28th, 2023 at the Hilton Suites in Markham. A large number of guests attended the event which showcased the achievements of the Tamil community in Canada and highlighted CTC’s many accomplishments in 2022.
The dinner was attended by several dignitaries including elected officials from all levels of Government. Minister of National Defence Hon. Anita Anand, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade Hon. Mary Ng, Leader of the Official Opposition of Canada Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Ontario Minister for Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho, Toronto Mayor John Tory, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe, Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca, Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor Iain Lovatt. Toronto Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie brought greetings on behalf of the City of Toronto and MPP Logan Kanapathi brought greetings on behalf of theGovernment of Ontario. Mayor Thiyagarajah Saravanapavan brought greetings from the City of Batticaloa, Sri Lanka.
Guests included senior members of Toronto Police Services and York Regional Police, University of Toronto and University of York officials, academics, members of media, business and community leaders from various communities.
The Leaders for Change Award was presented to Mr. Arul S. Aruliah for his lifelong contributions to the community, including his leadership to establish a Special Measures Program that allowed over 1,880 Tamils to settle in Canada, founding of co-operative home in Mississauga, support for the Tamil refugees who were rescued off the shores of Newfoundland in 1986 and lobbying the provincial government in Ontario to allow all accepted refugee claimants, not just members of the Tamil community, to pursue post-secondary education by waiving the differential fees required while they wait for formal landed status. This award was jointly announced by Gary Anandasangaree Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and his wife Harini Sivalingam.
This year’s “Service Excellence Award” was presented to Canada’s minister of national defence, the Honourable Anita Anand for her extraordinary efforts in the successful procurement of vaccines and personal protective equipment during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic during the time she served as the Minister of Public Services and Procurement. In addition, Hon. Anand’s accomplishments and achievements are exceptional and inspirational for people of diverse backgrounds to pursue their goals.
“We’ll be constructing a monument for G.U. Pope at his birth place in Prince Edward Island in recognition of his exceptional contribution to Tamil language. We expect to open the monument later this year. We welcome all of you to join us in Prince Edward Island for the opening celebrations” said Sivan Ilangko, President of CTC. Ilangko also reflected year 2023 marks the 200th year anniversary since the ancestors of upcountry Tamils were brought to Sri Lanka from South India by the British to work on the coffee, tea and rubber plantations and CTC is committed to undertaking certain projects this year to improve the living conditions of upcountry Tamils.
The event also featured captivating dance performances by the students of Smt. Nirothini Pararajasingham’s Niro Dance Creations, Smt.Vanitha Kugenthiran’s Kalaikovil Academy of Fine Arts, Parai Dance by Ahkenam Arts and Veena instrumental music by Rishi Sriskanthan.
Dinner also featured a Fashion show to support the Tamil in Sri Lanka, primarily widows in North East Sri Lanka who have been worst affected by the over 30 year civil war in that island. Hand woven sarees and sarongs produced by these women, were showcased by Canadian Tamils of all ages.
In addition, youth members of the Centre for Leadership and Innovation (CFLI), brain child of CTC that nature and develop leaders of tomorrow, made an outstanding presentation on the living condition of Upcountry Tamils in Sri Lanka.