TYO - Canada
JUNE 2010
Vol - 25
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JUNE 2010
TYO - Canada
To work towards the enhancement of the Tamil Nation and to provide an avenue for the betterment of Tamil youth in canada
TYO
History
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Youth Canada
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World Youth
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Get Involved
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The Tamil National Student Uprising Day, ‘Manavar Elichi Nal’, marked the 36th anniversary of the death of Pon.Sivakumaran, the first student martyr who pioneered the path of the struggle of the youth into that of an armed struggle.
Introduction
Due to his frustration with the racist entrance system of universities and activities related to the struggle of Tamil students and Tamil civilians, Sivakumaran was taken into custody by the police on June 5th, 1974. At the youthful age of 17, Sivakumaran had to experience the torture of the police; overwhelmed at the prize he received for fighting for justice Sivakumaran consumed a cyanide pill. This is a Tamil Eelam event where all the students unite and show our unity. Together students showed the strength in numbers. As students, Tamil students, we will continue the path on the path that Sivakumaran lead and demonstrate the STRENGTH, WILLPOWER, DETERMINATION, AND CAPABILITY that students have. – TYO Canada
In Solidarity, TYO - Canada
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Pon Sivakumar
The formation of Tamil United Front in 1972 led to the Tamil laingyar Peravia (TYL, Tamil Youth League) in January 1973. It was founded by some 40 youths, many of whom subsequently were in the forefront militant movement. The TYL drew support from Thangathurai, the TELO leader. Satyaseelan’s arrest in February 1973 set off the second round of mass arrests in Jaffna and virtually crippled the TYL as well as the older Tamil Students League. Several young men languished in prison until 1977, although some gained amnesty on the eve of the Kankesanthurai by-election in 1975. By then two developments had occurred in the Indian subcontinent which had a bearing on the Tamils. One was the JVP insurrection which was stamped out. The second was the India Pakistan war which led to the birth of Bangladesh. Both events took place in 1971. The JVP was never popular among Tamils, although it did have marginal support in Jaffna. In 1973, the Sri Lankan navy seized a boat belonging to Kuttimani filled with dynamite. Kuttimani fled to India, but was arrested and deported from Tamil Nadu to face a Sri Lankan prison sentence. Tamil Nadu was then governed by M.Karunanithi’s DMK party. Jaffna witnessed its first case of death by cyanide poisoning the next year. Sivakumaran had been lying low for a while, but took an active interest in the 1974 International Tamil Conference in Jaffna. He had been influenced by his parents’ pro-Federal Party views. He studied at Urumpirai Hindu College- which was to several recruits to the Eelam campaign- up to the advanced level, majoring in Chemistry. He is the only one among the Tamils of that era who is remembered fondly even today by everyone. He was a very sensitive person. He believed that despite the need for militancy, the Federal Party was important and often compared Chelvanayagam with Mahatma Gandhi and the boys with Subash Chandra Bose. He was a restless
character. He would discuss all night, emphasizing the need for an armed struggle. Since breaking off from Thangathurai, Sivakumaran had set up his group, which came to be known as the Sivakumaran’s group. The 1972 & 1973 mass arrests had slowed down his pace. His contemporaries say he was a shattered man after the Tamil Conference fiasco. He had worked for its success, and it pained him that nine people died for no fault of theirs. Since then he had passionately advocated vengeance against Duraiyapah, the Mayor, and a Sinhalese police officer he held responsible for the deaths.
History
In 1970, Ponnudorai Satyaseelan founded the Tamil Manavar Peravai (Tamil Students League), which was joined by Sivakumaran. Bandaranaike had in the meanwhile begun to take a hard line towards Tamils, cutting off foreign exchange for Tamil students going to India for higher studies, banning the import of Tamil films, books and Magazines from Tamil Nadu, and proscribing the small Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party in Jaffna.
On June 5, 1974, Sivakumaran was trapped by the police. He was 17 years of age and knowing about police torture if he were caught, he used to carry a cyanide pill. On that day he swallowed it without so much as an afterthought and died almost instantly. Thus was born Tamil Eelam’s cyanide culture. Hundreds thronged Sivakumaran’s funeral. All shops in Jaffna downed their shutters in mourning and hundreds of pamphlets were distributed in the town and its outskirts, eulogizing the martyr as Eelam’s Bhagat Singh. At the funeral, several TYL members pledged collectively to continue the fight for an independent state. Tamils later put up a bronze statue outside Jaffna in the memory of the young man – it showed a defiant youth, his clinched fi stout stretched and dangling a broken chain.
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Martyrs Day in Eritrea Martyrs Day in Eritrea Ever since Eritrea re-claimed its rightful national independence in 1991, June 20 has been set and declared national holiday for one and the sole purpose of respecting and paying tribute to all those who paid the ultimate price, life, in the great 30-year war to re-claim national independence and liberation for the country and people of Eritrea. This includes those who lost their lives in yet another heroic war against Ethiopia’s renewed attempt to re-invade, re-conquer, and reverse the already attained national independence under the lame pretext of “border disputes” between 1998-2000.
History
In 1991, Eritrea finally re-claimed its rightful national independence that was forcibly denied to it for a total of 50 years. After all and every peaceful venues had failed, Eritreans delivered a final military and political blow to Ethiopia’s occupation and ended all international dreams and machinations to link Eritrea to Ethiopia.
Just by way of refreshing the record, Eritrea is not a country that suddenly and out of the blue assumed national and territorial sovereignty in 1991 as those who are in schizophrenic perpetual denial of the irreversible geo-political realities precipitated by the 19th Century Colonial Scramble for Africa would like to pretend; or in1993 as the international media would like to portray it. The latter is, on the one hand, all but a sorry attempt to camouflage, obscure, even justify and legitimize Ethiopia’s forcible 30-year occupation of Eritrea and to insinuate Eritrea’s rightful independence. It is a design to provide political cover for and to blur the mortifying military defeat their mighty protégé, Ethiopia, suffered at the hands of the heroic combatants of a tiny nation. Eritrea salutes those heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of their people. The blood, sweat, and tears of the people of Eritrea and the life sacrificed the war heroes are solemnly commemorated on June 20th. Like all other African countries as we see them today, Eritrea was first established in the geopolitical form
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and shape that we see it today during the period of colonialism. In 1890 as Italy’s colonial territory in the form of a Nation State with distinct territorial sovereignty secured by distinct colonial treaties. At the end of colonialism, all colonial territories except East Timor, Spanish West Sahara, and Eritrea, were granted what they were entitled to by virtue and as a consequence of the nature they were first established—national independence. But at the end of Italian Colonialism in 1941, Eritrea was forcibly denied of its rightful claim for national independence first by British military occupation (1941-1951), then UN imposed “federation” with Ethiopia (1952-1962), and finally by Ethiopia’s subsequent military occupation for 30 years (1961-1991).
Eritrea’s martyrs gave the republic the rightful independence and freedom. Following its defeat of Ethiopian government forces in 1991 to establish national independence, Eritrea instituted an official holiday to pay tribute to those who died for the country’s liberation. The struggle, which lasted from 1961 to 1991, claimed the lives of an estimated 65,000 freedom fighters and tens of thousands of civilians. Today, many Eritreans observe Martyrs’ Day by filing into mass mourning processions that conclude at the “Martyrs’ Graveyards” located throughout the country. On the eve of Martyrs’ Day in 1997, the government expanded the national tribute by opening the National Martyrs’ Park, situated in a forest and wildlife preserve outside the capital city, Asmara. Individuals arrive to pay their respects to the dead by finding names engraved on the National Martyrs’ Monument and walking through museums that depict the 30-year struggle for independence.
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Pon Sivakumar Memorial Cup is hosted by Tamil Youth Organization (TYO) annually in partnership with Canadian Tamil Sports Association (CTSA). The Pon Sivakumar Memorial Cup was hosted on June 5th at L’Amoreaux Sports Complex, was a huge success, drawing hundreds of participants of all ages. The highlight of the tournament was the Men’s final game in which Seawaves outscored Jarvis 2-0, to win the Pon Sivakumar Memorial Cup.
Youth Canada
Pon Sivakumar Memorial Cup
– TYO Canada
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Student Uprising Day - Canada
Youth Canada
Thamil students from all over the world commemorate the death of the first Thamil student martyr Pon Sivakumaran on a day known as the Students’ Uprising Day. Pon. Sivakumaran protested the oppression of the Tamil students in Sri Lanka upon being captured by the Sri Lankan armed forces; he committed suicide in order to escape the extreme torture that was awaiting him. Thamil Students Uprising Day 2010 took place on Sunday June 6th. The event started at 5:30 p.m. at Everest Banquet Convention center and went on until 9:30 p.m. Thamil youths and students participated and co-ordinated the event. The highlight of the event was the TSAs’ performances. University of Toronto Scarborough Campus and York University each performed at the event and they poured all their heart and soul into their performance. And in the end, their performances brought everyone to their feet and tears to their eyes. Their performances touched a nerve in each and every one that was present at the event. They were emotional and heartbreaking but also uplifting and true. The TSAs of University of Toronto Downtown, University of Toronto Mississauga, Ryerson University and of many different high school played a key role in the event coordination and the volunteering at the event. Their presence, as well as the energy levels of the audience made sure that the event had all the impact that it was supposed to have and more. Thamil Students Uprising Day 2010 showed the Thamil community that no matter what happens, the students will stand together to help their brothers and sisters back home. This event got that message across but the future will solidify the alliance that was publicized on June 6th 2010. “STUDENTS UNITED WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED” Thamil Students Uprising Day 2010 was organized by the Tamil Youth Organization in coordination with all the Tamil Students Associations in order to show solidarity with the Thamil brethren in their homeland. – Saru. N
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Student Uprising Day - Canada
Youth Canada
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Youth Canada
Top Talents Awards Gala
The Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA) successfully held it’s first ever Top Talents Awards Gala this past Friday, June 18, 2010. The Top Talents Awards Gala took place at Claireport Place Banquet and Convention Centre, located at 65 Claireport Crescent, Etobicoke, ON. CTYA is a non-profit organization and is the largest combination of youth associations and groups nationwide with Tamil heritage, culture and language backgrounds. Through the alliance, CTYA strives to empower the youth to become outstanding leaders and citizens in our society. It was with this mission that we embarked on the creation of the Top Talents Award Gala. The Awards Gala was a night dedicated to recognizing the achievements of outstanding Tamil youth in the categories of Arts, Academics, Athletics, and Achievements. Awards presented included Soccer, Basketball, Track and Field, Classical Music, Classical Dance, Urban Music,Visual Arts, Tamil Language,Youth Volunteer, Outstanding Leadership, and Youth Entrepreneur. CTYA presented each winner with a $500 bursary in hopes of motivating the youth in continuing his or her success. Many members of the Tamil and non-Tamil community were in attendance at the event. It was an unforgettable night packed with captivating performance s from talented Tamil youth dancers, singers, pianists and spoken word poets. CTYA hopes to host many more successful events such as this, and looks forward to yet another Top Talents Awards Gala next year, in 2011. We would like to thank all our sponsors, supporters and attendees for their belief, encouragement and support to the Tamil youth and CTYA. Sincerely, Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance
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Student Uprising Day - UK
Northwest London, UK’s Tamil Youth Organization organized Thamil National Uprising Day on Sunday, June 6th, 2010.
World Youth
TYO - Canada
Before the event began the youths paid respect to honorable Murugadas Varnakulasingham’s tomb stone who died after igniting himself in fire out of the rage and anger of witnessing the Thamil people’s plight. The lamp was first lit by Murugadas’ mother and then by the youth who were very emotional lit the lamps before entering the hall. To commence the event a moment of silence was taken to pay respect to those lost in the liberation struggle of the Thamils; followed by lighting the lamp and giving flowers of memorial for honourable Pon. Sivakumaran. The event held various uprising songs, dances and poems which showcased our patriotism. The event was brought to an end with the releases of CDs by each region’s organizers about the war heroes(Samarkala Nayagan), war heroines (Samarkala Nayakikal) and brave leaders(Veerath Thalapathikal). – TYO United Kingdom
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Finding the Talents Tamil kids’
Estimated more than 500 young Tamil kids have been participated in these tests. The parents as well as the young candidates were exemplary and allowed the good sequence of the sessions without hesitation. Organized completely by TYO France, with the partnership of Earths and supplies, and the support of Tamilcholai of Nanterre, one can say that this was a true success. The results will be available July 4 2010, to the stand of TYO France, at the time of the athletic encounter organized to Dugny by the Organization for the Rehabilitation of the Tamils (ORT) for the 13th consecutive one. This day, an individual report, on which will be indicated the points obtain and the bridges to work during the summer vacation, will be put back to the candidates. – TYO France
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Youth Events
World Youth
On 12, and 13th of June 2010, TYO France coordinated the French test for the Tamil youths for the first time, a competition in corresponding French to the school program, for the young primary one and school Tamil kids.
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Student Uprising Day - Germany
Berlin, Germany conducted ‘Student Uprising Day’ event on June 18th, 2010. The event marks the 36th anniversary of Pon.Sivakumaran, a Thamil student who committed suicide due to intolerable torture he experienced for questioning and opposing the racial discrimination and oppression the Singhalese government poses on the Thamil students. The event began with lighting the flames for the fallen soldiers, a moment of silence and flowers of remembrance; following the opening ceremonies, the youths presented poems, speeches, uprising songs, and dances. The patriotism and passion that the youth born and raised in a foreign country had for their mother tongue, motherland and freedom of their motherland was visible through their performances and presentations.
World Youth
TYO - Canada
The unfortunate aftermath our students faced due to the racial acts of the Sri Lankan government was depicted by the youths through the line ‘don’t make the hands which held a pen hold weaponry’ which was spoken in a drama performance. To conclude, Naam Thamilar’s leader, honourable Seeman’s speech was broadcasted for the youth to strengthen their determination. The 36th memorial anniversary of the first student martyr, Pon.Sivakumaran, was ended with the chants of determination that Tamil Eelam will be free one day and the thirst of Thamils is Tamil Eelam. – TYO Germany
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Get Involved
TYO - Canada
Join TYO
Speak Out
Our doors are always open to new members that are looking to make a difference for Tamils around the world.
As Tamil youth in Canada, 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.
As an organization with the interests of Tamil youth at heart, TYO provides opportunities for Canadian Tamil youth to network, contribute, and develop their skills in various areas as well. Interested in getting involved? Please contact us at contact@canadatyo.org Or visit us at www.canadatyo.org
Ignorance is not a bliss. • Stay updated with recent news • Write to your local politicians • Attend rallies • Enlighten non-Tamil peers • Write a poem, articles, essay • Research, understand and recite
Reach Editor - Arul.M Reach Designer - Shiyamdev.S
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TYO - Canada
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