REACH OFFICIAL E-MAGAZINE OF TYO-CANADA
51
DECEMBER 2012
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DECEMBER 2012
The month of December is one that is very important for Tamil people from all over the world. During this month, we pay respect and remember the incomparable work of our late chief negotiator and political advisor of Tamileelam, Mr. Anton Balasingham. Upon honouring Mr. Anton Balasingham with the title ofVoice of the Nation, Hon.Velupillai Pirapaharan stated, “Bala Annai has, in truth, not departed from us. He will remain in our stream of consciousness as an enduring memory, forever.� Thus, even though Mr. Anton Balasingham may no longer physically be with us, his unparalleled work and love for Tamileelam will always be with us. During this month of December, we also recall the horrifying 2004 tsunami that stole the lives of many of our people in Tamileelam. Mother Nature plagued our people, who were already under threat and constant maltreatment by the Sri Lankan government. During this time, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam came to the aid of our people as they
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exhausted everything they had in order to ensure that the people of Tamileelam were secure and safe.This is the beauty of our freedom fighters: to give so much of themselves to ensure the survival of our people, regardless of how difficult the situation may be. Their selflessness is something that is admirable and one that we should never forget. When taking a look back at this year, we have made many steps towards enhancing our struggle for Tamileelam. Ilanthalir and the establishment of the Tamileelam Football Association are merely two of the many steps that we have accomplished in our strong stance to uphold our identity. As youth, we hold the responsibility of keeping the Tamileelam freedom struggle alive, and also of promoting our identity regardless of where we are in the world. - TYO-Canada
DECEMBER 2012
TYO - CANADA
REACH A [tamil history]
p.4
Voice of the Nation: Bala Anna
E [did you know?]
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Aww!
51 B [world history]
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Colosseum
F [face-to-face]
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Featured Youth of 2012
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DECEMBER 2012 CONTENTS C [youth canada]
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Jaffna Tamil Students Awareness Campaigns, Mega Rally +
G [chef @ cheran]
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Featured Dishes of 2012
D [world youth]
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Condemning Attacks on Jaffna Students
H [youth reflection]
p.36
Making Strides To Uphold Our Identity
TYO
To work towards the enhancement of the Tamil Nation and to provide an avenue for the betterment of Tamil youth in Canada
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A [tamil history] Voice of the Nation: Bala Anna [1938-2006]
Anton Balasingham is a name among the many that are significant in the Eelam struggle. He was the chief negotiator for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and expressed the voices of Tamils in Tamileelam. Like many who pioneered in the Tamil plight, Anton Balasingham’s decision to take part in the struggle was not a decision that came suddenly, but rather one that was made after numerous observations and the need for answers, justice, and change. At the age of 18 in 1956, while attending Nelliady Central College, Anton Balasingham witnessed civil rights legislation beginning to serve no purpose. Riots began and violence had swept the streets of the post-independent country. During this time period, Solomon Bandaranaike was the Prime Minister and he held an extreme nationalist agenda including making Sinhala the only national language for administration, government, and education. Throughout this period, Balasingham held patient and by the 1960’s demonstrated interest into journalism and literature. Upon his new interest, he focused his reading on Vedanta philosophy and Buddhism and compared it to how racially polluted Sri Lankan Buddhism had been practiced. Later, Balasingham became a translator for the British High Commission from where he met his wife and entered wedlock. Due to his wife’s illness, he traveled to England for treatment. Unfortunately, after six years, his wife had passed away. Nonetheless, later in 1978 he married Adele Wilby. Together,
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they returned to assist the Tamil people in Eelam as they struggled as a result of the anti-Tamil riots of 1983. This was merely one of the many incidents whereby Anton Balasingham assisted the Tamil people in Eelam. Anton Balasingham became the voice and political strategist of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. He left the country to treat his suffering from an acute renal failure and the couple settled in England. From England, Balasingham had more flexibility to conduct negotiations via Norwegian mediators and preparing for peace talks in 2002 with Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe. The ceasefire and agreement of negotiation was disrupted and casualties began to mount on. Anton Balasingham played a fundamental role in the liberation struggle and he had even taken part in the first Geneva talks that were held in 2006. However, in November of 2006, Anton Balasingham was diagnosed with cancer and his health conditions had worsened. His unfortunate death on December 14th 2006 was one that was upsetting to Eelam Tamil people from all across the world. His influence and presence in the struggle is one that will always hold a strong place in the hearts of all Tamil people. Today, the support of Anton Balasingham is still with us through his wife, Adele Balasingham.
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B [world history] Colosseum
The Colosseum, originally called the Flavian Ampitheatre, is located in the city of Rome, Italy. This elliptical building is one of the most remarkable buildings of its era and it is a great testament to the excellence of Roman architecture and engineering. In 72 AD, Emperor Vespasian initiated the construction of the Colosseum, which was later completed by Emperor Titus in 80 AD. Emperor Domitian also made further modifications to the building at a later time. The Colosseum is roughly 50 meters tall, 189 meters long, and 156 meters wide. It was able to seat a bit more than 50 000 spectators and had about 80 different entrances. The seating in the amphitheatre was also arranged in a way that reflected the hierarchical system that was prevalent in the Roman society. For instance, women and members belonging to a lower class were only able to get seats in the upper tier, while the high-class individuals were given seats in the lower tiers. This gave elite members a better view of the different forms of activities that were hosted in the Colosseum. Nonetheless, the massive amphitheatre was surely built in such a way to accommodate the entertainment of thousands of people. As great as the architecture of the Colosseum was, it was subject to numerous forms of destruction. The building was struck by lightning, which resulted in a fire that damaged much
of the interior part of the amphitheatre. In addition to that, several earthquakes also hit the Colosseum, which caused much of the exterior wall of the Colosseum to collapse. Nonetheless, the significance of the amphitheatre and its history is remarkable. In Ancient Rome, the Colosseum was a famous site for gladiator battles, executions, battles between wild animals and gladiators, animal shows, games, hunting events, and more. In fact, the inauguration of the Colosseum was filled with so many events, and in the process, thousands of gladiators and animals were killed in these battles. While the Colosseum was a clear site for entertainment in the Roman Empire, in the medieval era, the Colosseum became a site that was utilized for different purposes such as workshops, housing, cemetery, shops, church, and even as a castle. Today, the Colosseum is one of the most famous tourist attraction sites in Rome and it is still widely recognized for its great architectural design. Many famous singers such as Elton John and Billy Joel performed at the amphitheatre and it has also been featured in many films. The image of the Colosseum can also be found on Italy’s five-cent euro coin and this illustrates the importance of this famous building.
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C [youth canada]
Jaffna Tamil Students Awareness Campaigns Pon. Sivakumaran was the first student martyr who stood up for Tamil rights. As a student, he was strongly aggravated by the bigoted educational systems that deliberately placed Tamil students at a disadvantage. Sivakumaran became a martyr for voicing his discontent and frustration with the discriminatory practices put in place by the Sri Lankan government that oppressed Tamil students and civilians. Today, the Jaffna University Students Union (JUSU) and the students continue to stand up for our people against the despotic regime. On November 28th, 2012, the students of Jaffna University boycotted classes and organized a peaceful demonstration outside of their campus premises demanding an end to harassment and intimidation put forth by the Sri Lankan military. However, instead of listening to the voices of the Jaffna University students, the Sri Lankan military reacted to this situation by attacking the Jaffna students and detaining four students. In response to this, Tamil Students’ Associations (TSAs) in Canadian Universities organized awareness campaigns on December 4th 2012 to inform the wider community about the incident and to demonstrate their solidarity with the Jaffna University students. In addition to spreading awareness, the TSAs demanded the release of the detained students. They also demanded the end of scare tactics and violence placed on Tamil students, and to immediately end the militarization of Jaffna University students. THE STUDENTS UNITED, WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED!
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YORK UNIVERSITY
York University Tamil Students’ Association (YUTSA) organized an awareness campaign called the Circle of Solidarity. Alongside other student groups such as United South Asians at York (USAY) and Indian Cultural Association (ICA), many students had come together to voice their support for the Jaffna University students. VIEW CAMPAIGN VIDEO
OTTAWA, ON
Carleton University Tamil Students’ Association (CUTSA) and the University of Ottawa conducted their awareness campaign by handing out pamphlets about the situation and by informing people about both the history and the current state of Tamil people. While spreading awareness about the mistreatment of the Jaffna University students, CUTSA and the University of Ottawa had also reached out to their fellow peers and asked them to provide their own thoughts and comments about the situation. VIEW CAMPAIGN VIDEO
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DECEMBER 2012
U OF T, SCARBOROUGH
University of Toronto – Scarborough Campus Tamil Students’ Association (UTSC TSA) also organized a solidarity circle to assert their support and solidarity with the Jaffna University students. Alongside UTSC TSA, many other groups such as the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU) also stood in solidarity. VIEW CAMPAIGN VIDEO
U OF T, ST.GEORGE
University of Toronto – St. George Campus Tamil Students’ Association (UTSG TSA) stood in solidarity with the Jaffna University students. Along with UTSG TSA, the University of Toronto’s Students’ Union (UTSU) also stood in solidarity as they all took an active role in the awareness campaigns. A discussion session was facilitated in order to enhance understanding about the state of Tamil students and civilians, and press releases were distributed across campus in order to raise awareness.
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TYO - CANADA
DECEMBER 2012
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RYERSON UNIVERSITY
Ryerson University Tamil Students’ Association (RyeTSA) also stood in solidarity with Jaffna University students. Their campaign consisted of spreading the message about the unwarranted attack of the students to many different students. Moreover, they also caught people’s attention. VIEW CAMPAIGN VIDEO
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
Waterloo University Tamil Students’ Association (WaTSA) also stood in solidarity with Jaffna University students. WaTSA organized a small gathering on campus to show their solidarity.
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DECEMBER 2012
Mega Rally TORONTO, ON
On December 7th, 2012, Tamil Youth Organization – Canada, along with the National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT) and the Tamil Students’ Associations, organized a mass protest condemning the Sri Lankan Army’s brutal attacks and unjustified arrests of the students of Jaffna University. The event took place in front of the US consulate demanding the US and Canada to pressure the Sri Lankan state to release the arrested students, to immediately cease all forms of oppression and harassment, and to demilitarize Tamil occupied regions. The idea was to stand in solidarity, in large numbers, to protect and free our fellow students!
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TYO - CANADA
DECEMBER 2012
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JANUARY
[HIGHLIGHTS OF 2012]
Kittu Anna Ninaivunaal
Thai Pongal Celebrations
TORONTO, ON
U OF T - SCARBOROUGH CAMPUS & ST.GEORGE CAMPUS
On January 14th, the Tamil community marked the 19th anniversary of Colonel Kittu Anna and nine other respected martyrs who sacrificed their lives for our nation. Their dedication to the Tamileelam liberation struggle was commemorated through a collaboration of various performances that included both vocal performances and dances.
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On Sunday January 15th, 2013, Tamil Youth Organization – Canada held their Thai Pongal celebration showcasing the essence of the celebration starting off with the making of the pongal. University of Toronto – St. George Campus Tamil Students’ Association (UTSG TSA) and University of Toronto – Scarborough Campus Tamil Students’ Association (UTSC TSA) also held their Thai Pongal celebrations that included a lot of performances and food that illustrated the Tamil heritage and culture.
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FEBRUARY
TYO - CANADA
Tamil Rights Week
Tamil Sovereignty Conference
YORK UNIVERSITY & UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
TORONTO, ON
Tamil Rights Week, an initiative that was organized in to educate people about the plight of the Tamil people and their just political aspirations. As part of their campaigns, on February 9th, York TSA (YUTSA) had organized an educational seminar and on both February 7th and 9th, Waterloo TSA (WaTSA) had organized information booths. Both schools had taken an active role in engaging academics and human rights activists by highlighting the important roles that could be played by people and governments across the world in exerting pressure on Sri Lanka, and to recognize the political aspirations of the Tamil people by standing in solidarity with them and their just needs.
As part of the Tamil Rights Week campaign, on February 26th, 2012, TYO – Canada organized a conference where it was resolved that Eelam Tamil youth activists will continue the struggle for Tamil sovereignty. A total of nine resolutions were passed with unanimous approval from the participants, which included Tamil youth activists from 14 different Tamil Students’ Associations in Canada. The resolution also called for a boycott of Diaspora organizations that compromise the principles of Homeland, Nation, and Self-Determination.
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APRIL
MARCH
14
CUTSA’s Kalai Vizha
Ilanthalir
OTTAWA, ON
TORONTO, ON
On March 31st, the Carleton University Tamil Students’ Association (CUTSA) held their annual cultural show “CUTSA’s Kalai Vizha ‘12”. There were over 20 diverse performances including Barathanatyam, Kaviyadal (Tamil Poetry), Tamil Literature Stage Play, Villuppaattu, Drama, Fusion Dance, etc. There were also special performances from SM Ram Music, SE Boyz, and the Montreal Maniacs. To commemorate the event, CUTSA also released a book entitled “Thooral.” The event was successful as it brought the community together to collectively enjoy performances that uphold the Tamil heritage and culture.
On Friday April 27th, the Tamil Canadian youth put together a show called “Ilanthalir.” The show compromised of 10 different scenes with an interconnecting storyline that illustrated the key moments in the history of the Tamil people and the plight of our struggle. The audience was walked through different historical occurrences that were showcased through powerful and engaging performances that incorporated drama, dance, and many different costumes and props. Through a collective effort that required a lot of hard work, dedication, and passion, many youth came together to put on a great show that stirred the audience.
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The show started from the ancient history of the Tamil kingdom. Following that, the Ryerson Tamil Students’ Association (RyeTSA) portrayed the hardships and the consequences of the British colonization. In addition to this, many different moments such as the repercussions of the Sinhala Only Act, the Vaddukottai Resolution of 1976, and the burning of the Jaffna library were showcased. Moreover, high school students also reenacted some of the terrifying realities that were faced by our brothers and sisters during Black July 1983. Following the 1983 riots, the York University Tamil Students’ Association (YUTSA) displayed a powerful rendition of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the 2002 ceasefire. In addition to that, the Carleton University Tamil Students’ Association (CUTSA) showcased the unprecedented 2009 genocidal acts and the reaction of the Tamil Diaspora and the protests that were held. Finally, the final scene of the show was one that showed the UN conference and the declaration of Tamileelam’s independence and sovereignty. The show truly depicted the history of our people and left everyone feeling empowered.
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DECEMBER 2012
MAY
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War Crimes Day TORONTO, ON
On Friday May 18th, 2012, the National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT) had organized a memorable event whereby the community gathered together to commemorate the many innocent Tamil lives that were lost during the peak of the genocidal onslaught in 2009. There were many speeches by Members of Parliament and other respected members. The event reaffirmed that the only solution that would end the suffering of the Tamil people would be the declaration of an independent and separate state for the Tamil people, which would be Tamileelam.
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DECEMBER 2012
TYO - CANADA
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Tamil Uprising Day TORONTO, ON
On May 19th, 2012, Tamil Youth Organization – Canada alongside various Tamil Students’ Associations hosted “Tamil Uprising Day.” This day, held after the day on which the community commemorated the many grave losses of our Tamil brothers and sisters during the 2009 massacre, was declared to be an inspirational day. Through various performances and powerful speeches, the event asserted the significance of continuing the fight for Tamileelam.
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DECEMBER 2012
JUNE
18
Student Uprising Day Conference TORONTO, ON
Student Uprising Day was held as an educational conference hosted by the Tamil Youth Organization – Canada. Alongside TYO – Canada, York University Tamil Students’ Association (YUTSA) and University of Toronto – Scarborough Campus Tamil Students’ Association (UTSC TSA) provided very enlightening presentations. The conference was very information for all those who attended and it was held to honour the significant sacrifice of our great hero, Pon. Sivakumaran.
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TYO - CANADA
DECEMBER 2012
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Tamileelam Football Association KURDISTAN, IRAQ
This year, the Global Tamil Youth League (GTYL) established the Tamileelam Football Association (TEFA). TEFA made their debut entry at the 2012 VIVA World Cup that took place in Iraqi Kurdistan. This is a huge accomplishment for the Tamil community and the Tamil Diaspora. TEFA consists of the nation’s budding football talents from around the world who compete in leagues in their respective countries. To compete as Tamil people from Tamileelam in an international competition was something that was extremely inspirational to Eelam Tamils from all across the world.
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DECEMBER 2012
JULY
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Black July Campaigns TORONTO, ON
Throughout July 2012, there were many Black July Awareness Campaigns that were organized in an effort to educate and inform people about the tragedies that took place during Black July 1983. Tamil Youth Organization – Canada spearheaded and produced a highly informative video that informed the wider community about the many events. Many different people from a wide range of ethnicities also expressed their views in this video, as it is a human rights violation issue that all masses could relate to. Moreover, UTSG TSA held a Black July Poetry Night, and both YUTSA and UTSC TSA organized their own Black July Web Campaigns in an effort to educate the wider community.
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DECEMBER 2012
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Black July Remembrance TORONTO, ON
On July 22nd, 2012, the Tamil community gathered to remember the Anti-Tamil riots that took place in July 1983, commonly known as Black July 1983. The Tamil community remembered the horrifying events that took place against our brothers and sisters for no other reason than for simply being Tamil. The Tamil community reaffirmed that the Tamil people would not be able to prosper without a political solution that would result in an independent nation for the Tamil people.
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DECEMBER 2012
AUGUST
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Kilithattu TORONTO, ON
On Sunday August 26th, Tamil Youth Organization – Canada hosted its 2nd annual Kilithattu tournament. In the beginners group, defending champions Eelam 89ers had once again won the Tamileelam Heritage Trophy while Team Vanavil had claimed the Tamileelam Heritage Trophy in the competitive group. The tournament effectively educated numerous Canadian Tamil youth about the national sport of Tamileelam, and it also emphasized the importance of preserving the Tamil identity and embracing the national symbols of Tamileelam that many teams promoted through their team names. It illustrated the solidarity that lies behind the Eelam Tamil youth community.
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DECEMBER 2012
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SEPTEMBER
TYO - CANADA
Transition TORONTO, ON
On Friday September 21st, 2012, the Tamil Youth OrganizationCanada hosted its third annual Transition Ceremony. The event was organized in order to teach Tamil-Canadian youth activists about the importance of Tamil Students’ Association (TSAs) across Canada, particularly the role that they play in the struggle to liberate Tamileelam. This year marked the first year that community members were invited to attend the ceremony. The “passing down the torch” ceremony was the pinnacle of the night as each incoming executive team received the national flag of Tamileelam from their outgoing executive team.
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OCTOBOER
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Tamil Women’s Uprising Day
Namanan Anna’s Volleyball League Award Ceremony
TORONTO, ON
OTTAWA, ON
Tamil Youth Organization -Canada commemorated the 25th anniversary of the first woman martyr in the Tamileelam freedom struggle, 2nd Lt. Malathy, on October 10th. The day is also observed as the ‘Tamil Women’s Uprising Day’. Our young generation should remember the contributions of 2nd Lt. Malathy and recognize the fundamental changes the Tamil liberation struggle has created in Tamil society in regard to the equality of women. Liberation does not mean just freedom from foreign domination and tyranny, but also freedom from religious and gender discrimination and oppression of women.
This past summer, the Tamil Students Federation of Ottawa (TSFO) held their first Namanan Anna’s Volleyball League. TSFO initiated this league in memory of Mr. Namanan Guhanathan (Namanan Anna). Namanan Anna, a Carleton University alumnus, dedicated his time to the well being of the Tamil community. He was an executive committee member of the Carleton University Tamil Students’ Association (CUTSA) and the president of the Academic Society of Tamil Students (ACTS). Throughout his years in Ottawa, he was actively involved in creating awareness about the Tamil struggle among the students. He also reached out to students in Tamileelam by promoting the importance of education and assisted students in achieving their goals. Namanan Anna is an inspiration and for these reasons and more, Tamil students in Ottawa felt that it was necessary to carry on Namanan Anna’s legacy. As such, TSFO named the Volleyball League after his name so that future students will learn about his work and be motivated to get involved with the Tamil community.
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The Ottawa community came out in large numbers to show their support for this League. All the League officials were volunteers who had been touched by the work completed by Namanan Anna, and the league itself was made possible by the support of people from both Ottawa and Toronto. TSFO successfully completed the inaugural summer season late August, with Ottawa Tamil Volleyball Group 1 (OTVG 1) taking home the Namanan Guhanathan Challenge Cup. The Namanan Anna’s Volleyball League Award Ceremony was held on October 20th 2012 at Carleton University. The event drew a large crowd from the Ottawa and Toronto region and was attended by Namanan Anna’s family and friends. A small memorial in remembrance of Namanan Anna was held before the award ceremony. Many of his friends were in tears as poems and speeches about Namanan Anna were read. It was truly an emotional moment when the community stood with pride and remembered Namanan Anna as his brother handed out the Namanan Guhanathan Challenge Cup to OTVG 1. At the ceremony, TSFO pledged to carry on the torch that Namanan Anna lit and work towards assisting less privileged students back home. All proceeds from the league go towards a foundation to help students in Tamileelam excel in their education. TSFO successfully completed the inaugural season late August, with Ottawa Tamil Volleyball Group 1 (OTVG 1) taking home the Namanan Guhanathan Challenge Cup. Many other awards were also presented to players who illustrated excellent talent in the sport. @TYOCANADA
DECEMBER 2012
NOVEMBER
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Youth Maaveerar Naal TORONTO, ON
On Sunday November 25th, the Tamil Youth Organization – Canada in partnership with the Tamil Students’ Associations hosted the ‘Commencement of Tamileelam Remembrance Week’. The students came together to pay their respect and commemorate our Maaveerar. Through the power of words, dance, and music, our youth stirred the audience. The event demonstrated that our youth are committed to making the dreams of our fallen heroes a reality.
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DECEMBER 2012
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Maaveerar Naal Canada TORONTO, ON
Community Maaveerar Naal was held on Tuesday November 27th, 2012 at Markham Fairgrounds. There were a total of 4 shows and it was an uplifting event. The venue was organized in a way that really captured the essence of Maaveerar Naal. The plight of our people and the realities faced by our brave Maaveerar was eloquently portrayed through different performances and speeches. The event was highly attended and faith and determination was seen through the eyes of everyone from the children to the elderly.
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DECEMBER 2012
D [world youth] Condemning Attacks on Jaffna Students Through various peaceful demonstrations around the world, many individuals in the Tamil Diaspora also condemned the attack of the Jaffna University students and the unwarranted detainments. This illustrates the solidarity that exists amongst the Tamil community on a global scale in terms of spreading awareness and demanding the end of the intimidation placed on Tamil students by the Sri Lankan government. GERMANY
TYO – Germany organized a protest and many members from the Tamil community had attended this event showing their solidarity. They all came together to bring awareness and to show their support for the Tamil students from Jaffna University. SWITZERLAND
TYO – Switzerland held a protest outside the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva where they condemned the detainment of the Jaffna University students. Many members from the community supported them as they demanded the release of the detained students and as they also demanded the United Nations and the international community to take immediate action so that the rights of Tamil people could be safeguarded.
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DECEMBER 2012
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NORWAY
TYO – Norway had also organized protests in the cities of Bergen & Oslo where they voiced their concern for the Jaffna University students. Alongside members from the Tamil community, many other Norwegian citizens had also come and stood in solidarity with the Tamil community. They had many banners and demanded the release of the confined students.
BERGEN
OSLO
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DECEMBER 2012
UNITED KINGDOM
TYO – United Kingdom had organized a very powerful peaceful demonstration. For their protest, not only did they have banners and try to spread awareness, but in addition, they had also tied black cloth around their mouths to condemn the infringement placed on the freedom of expression of the Jaffna University students. VIEW CAMPAIGN VIDEO
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DECEMBER 2012
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E [did you know?]
Awww! The science of cuteness Soft, small body, big head, chubby cheeks, big eyes, button nose are all features that sound cute. What is cute and why do we all respond positively to these features? In general, it is a subjective term that is commonly associated with infancy and youthful appearance. All of the aforementioned characteristics are those that are often used to describe a baby. Think about it, there are many different characters on TV shows and toys and animals that we consider to be cute on a daily basis, and many of their characteristics are similar to those of babies. For instance, when we take a look at the evolution of Mickey Mouse, we immediately notice his big eyes and big head, which resulted in making him look more ‘child friendly’. Other familiar TV shows and toys that are often referred to as cute include Elmo and Hello Kitty. Our minds often create a link between what we perceive as cute to inanimate objects and things. It may be difficult to link the similarity between babies and inanimate objects; however,
sometimes the similar traits that they share are obvious. For instance, a Furby is viewed as cute because of its big eyes and child-like appearance. Did you know that the nucleus accumbens is a pleasure center in the brain that releases dopamine, which can be triggered by cuteness? This can cause pleasure and laughter, which is one of the results that stems from cuteness. Did you know that cuteness could influence much human behaviour from responses to purchases? Did you know that studies have shown that humans are more drawn by animals that have cute characteristics and that resemble babies? This is because these baby features tend to spark a nurturing attitude in humans and thus humans react in a more positive manner with cute animals. Through a simple term as cute, it’s interesting how many different responses and behaviours can be generated.
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F [face-to-face] JANUARY
FEBRUARY
“My interest towards singing grew based on my fundamental interest in back home songs… It is about using classical music as an avenue to get the broader message across which is that wherever and whatever career we pursue in life, our identity will always follow us.” KEERTHANA Recognized for her Talent in Classical PATHMANATHAN Music
“Tamils have every skill to become leaders in the wider community, why not lead through a sport?” KEERTHANA Recognized as the Youngest Athlete PATHMANATHAN (14 years old) on the Under 17
Canadian National Cricket Team
MAY
JUNE “All the young people who had sacrificed their lives fighting for freedom, so that our next generation can at least live as free human beings, continue to drive and motivate me to fight against oppression, marginalization and discrimination. Their sacrifices remind me every day to do something useful with my life in advancing social and economic justice.”
“There are so many kids that have a lot of potential and no one should stop them from pursuing what they love. When our youth strive to be the best that they are, they help our community grow in so many ways.”
NEETHAN Recognized for: Success in Politics SHAN and Active Involvement in the broader
YAATHURSHAN Recognized as the Second Fastest KARUNAILINGAM Runner in the World for both the
Canadian Community
OCTOBER “Being in between the older generation and the new and upcoming generation, it is ultimately up to us on whether or not we want to pass on the culture, the traditions, and the language. I truly think it is important to uphold the Tamil identity.” SENTHAMIL Recognized as a YouTube Blogger and STEFI Youth Mentor
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100 meter and 200 meter run in the Under 18 age category
NOVEMBER “As Tamils living outside of Tamileelam, it is our responsibility to unite and work towards the betterment of our society. We should ensure that our rich history and culture is preserved and passed on from one generation to another.” USHANANTHINI Recognized for her Studies in the SHANMUGALINGAM Medical Feld and Youth Mentor
DECEMBER 2012
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[FEATURED YOUTH OF 2012] MARCH
APRIL “Our community is strong, determined and very resilient. Even after the tragedy in 2009 where tens of thousands lost their lives, our community continues to remain strong spirited… This courage, commitment and sacrifice have played an important role in helping shape my beliefs. It has made me fiercely determined to achieve my goals regardless of the obstacles and challenges in front of me.”
JESSICA Recognized for her Involvement THYRIAR in Student Movements and Extra-
Curricular Activities
JULY
“I wanted this poem to empower the younger generations to fight for their identity, their people and their rights. I want the younger youth and future generations of Tamils to know about the history of their people. They must also do something for the liberation movement, as numbers do matter.” VINSIA Recognized for being the Winner of MAHARAJAH the Ilanthalir Video Competition for her “Artistic Revolution” video
AUG. - SEPT. “It is important to get involved with TSA no matter where you are because it not only teaches you about our identity, heritage, and culture, but it also builds you as a person, refines skills and assets you already have and, at the same time, develops ones that you may not have had.” THUSHANTH Recognized for his Involvement in the SIVAANANTHAN Fashion/Clothing Industry and TSA
“When we sing, we are able to show our talent and express our emotions through Tamil songs… We also enjoying singing Tamileelam songs because by singing those songs, it shows that we really care for the Tamil people.” PIRIYANTHICA & Recognized for their Talent in Classical PIRINDA PERAZHAKAN Music
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G [chef @ cheran] JANUARY
SEENI ARIYATHARAM
MAY
FEBRUARY
POTATO CUTLETS
JUNE
CARAMEL AND CHOCOLATE COCONUT MACAROONS
NOVEMBER
BISQUICK COFFEE CAKE @TYOCANADA
PAAYAASAM
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[FEATURED DISHES OF 2012] MARCH
APRIL
SOUVLAKI WRAP
PUTTU
JULY
OCTOBER
THAYIR SAATHAM
SAMBAL
“Food is a central activity of mankind and one of the single most significant trademarks of a culture.” - Mark Kurlansky
The Tamil culture is one that is profoundly rich. One of the ways that our culture is expressed is through our traditional foods. The Tamil Diaspora continues to preserve and enjoy our cultural food regardless of where we are in the world. Along with such foods, we also have the benefit of enjoying other cultural dishes. Food is one of the basic necessities of life and it is important that we are able to uphold our cultural Tamil heritage as we move forward. Do YOU know the various steps that are required to prepare a dish? Do you believe you know a great chef who would like to share his or her traditional dish with us? Email us at:
REACH@CANADATYO.ORG
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H [youth reflections] Making Strides To Uphold Our Identity
Our Great Heroes Day, Maaveerar Naal, brought the community together as we remembered the lost lives of the freedom fighters of Tamileelam. Two days prior, Youth Maaveerar Naal took place, bringing out performances from As a Tamil community, we spent much of the year progressing students of different Universities, organizing a day where the on a national and international level. It was in 2012 where youth can take part in remembering our freedom fighters. the month of January was officially made the month of Tamil Heritage in the city of Toronto. With our large population, Tamils have been a part of the Canadian and international overwhelming pride, and our dedicated work, it was an community for a very long time, and as years add on to our inevitable step for the community. lives, so does our progress. We have made great strides this year, and it is our responsibility to keep making strides for our Following the new arrival of Tamil Heritage month was another future. In the past, we were working for the day where we new step for the Tamil community – Ilanthalir. The year of could get the opportunity to raise our flag onto a field along 2012 welcomed the birth of Ilanthalir, which was a stage of an with the flags of other Nations, and we’ve always wanted to artistic revolution depicting our history and culture through safeguard our heritage like we are doing by dedicating a month various artforms of singing, dancing and acting. Talented youth to the Tamil heritage. This is what it means to progress and came together to put on a successful show in an effort to move forward. It’s how we conduct ourselves that brings teach the younger and current generations of our culture, us success. It’s how we unite together that compels us to and to assure the older generations of our knowledge and move forward. Regardless of the hardships that we face as a commitment to our identity. community back home, or in other parts of the world, we as youth must keep our heads up, and keep moving forward. In April of 2012, the Tamileelam Football Association (TEFA) was established by the Global Tamil Youth League. TEFA made Having pride in our identity, and embracing our rich culture its international debut at the 2012 VIVA World Cup held and historical language has gotten us to where we are today. in Iraqi Kurdistan. Many fans of soccer all around the world Our heritage, our history, our culture – the roots of existence watched the tournament take place and witnessed as the – have taken hard hits. We have been forced to leave our National Flag of Tamileelam was brought out onto the field home and make a life out of it. We did not flee. What we did amongst the rest of the flags from other nations. was make it so that we can grow up strong and away from danger. We made it so that we can persevere, and we can These were just a few memorable moments of the year. learn without living in fear. For some of us, our parents and It’s our voice that makes changes amongst the community, grandparents had to struggle so that we could live peacefully. whether it be on a national level or an international level. This For others, we had to struggle as well; some of us lived in year brought in new advancements for us to look back on in Tamileelam and had to leave. Leaving our home wasn’t a sweet the future, such as TEFA or Tamil Heritage month. This push escape; leaving Tamileelam put us in a new country with a new that we’re capable of is what will keep us progressing for the language, a new heritage, a new history and a new culture that years ahead. we didn’t know. We learned it, though, and this is where its taken us. In Canada, we now have an official month for our Along with the new advancements in the community, the Tamil Heritage. We made progress in the year of 2012, and we will youth continue to recognize and bring recognition to the keep making progress and striving for success. When we left struggle in our homeland. The Diaspora was strong this year, our home, we left so that we can keep our heritage growing bringing out more attention on the war crimes committed and be free with our culture. While we are still fighting for the by the Sri Lankan government and organizing events to unite liberation of our land, we are definitely preserving our heritage Tamil youth all across the world. In Canada, through important no matter where we are in the world. This year, 2012, taught rallies like Tamil Uprising Day and War Crimes Day, we showed us about our abilities to make progress. Now onto 2013, and our passion for our goal of Tamileelam. onto every year that takes us on our path back to Tamileelam.
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Speak Out 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.
Join TYO Our doors are always open to new members that are looking to make a difference for Tamils around the world. 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
REACH@CANADATYO.ORG
Or visit us at
WWW.CANADATYO.ORG
REACH Team Editor Tharchini. V Designer Shiyamdev. S Writers Cajaani V. Jonathan U. Laxana P. Saruja N.
Featured Writers Ushananthini S.
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