As another academic year draws to a close at universities in Britain, just before they went off to hit the books and study for exams, Tamil students from across the country came together to celebrate the climax of another thrilling season of university sports. Held at the Kanchans Banqueting Suite in London, the event was the culmination of another even-more competitive season of football and netball, as teams from Tamil university societies battled it out to be crowned champions. After a tough season, that saw a huge amount of talent on the football pitch, the final match came down to Queen...
The Tamil Business Forum based in Croydon, a large town in South London, have protested against plans to open a new betting shop in the town, over growing concerns of the impact gambling has had on the area. Picture courtesy of Croydon Guardian The protests come as figures revealed that more than £160 million were spent on betting machines in Croydon North in 2012 alone, an area with a constituency of just over 85,000 people. Ganapathy Kasinathan of the London Road Business Association told the Croydon Guardian , “This is a poor area and having another shop targets people already desperate...
Tamil youth in the UK celebrate Thai Pongal and Tamil new years Tamils across the world celebrated Thai Pongal and/or new years last month. Check out celebrations amongst British Tamil youth at the TYOUK and Canadian Tamils at the CTC's 6th Annual Thai Pongal Gala... TYOUK In the midst of an icy winter's morning in London, with a blink of sunshine, TYO UK members gathered together to celebrate the ancient Tamil festival of thanksgiving, Thai Pongal. A fire wood hearth was set up using three bricks and cooking began by putting a pongal paanai (pot) with water and milk on the hearth. Waiting...
British Tamil children showcased their remarkable talent at the Tamil language and literary greats during the Tamil Youth Organisation UK's third Tamil competition - Katka Kasadara. Children as young as three dazzled audiences with their inspiring recital of the much cherished works of the Tamil poets Thiruvalluvar and Avvaiyar. After four regional rounds, Abiraa Ramathas, Jeshvin Jesudas, Janusha Gnanapaskaran and Kavijan Vigneswaran won the first place in their respective age categories. Katka Kasadara 3 Finalists: 6 and under: 1st - Abiraa Ramathas 2nd - Varniya Varathan and Varunavy...
City University hosted the Breaking the Silence earlier this month, completing the awareness campaign circulating across British universities. Following on from other British universities, students at City University displayed an array of posters and artwork, many created by the students themselves. The exhibition attracted a large crowd, with many students keen to find out more about the genocide of Tamils. The event also saw speeches from members of the committee followed by a candle lit vigil, in memory of all the lives lost. A particular highlight of the event was the wide participation...
The UK Tamil Students Union (UKTSU) held a workshop last week to raise awareness about health issues within the Tamil community. The event in Ilford saw many members of the public attend to get advice from Tamil doctors and medical students. This pilot event focussed on Diabetes, a condition that afflicts a relatively large proportion of the Tamil community. “It was incredible to see our ideas come into fruition with the level of satisfaction you can only get from medicine and community service. It was inspiring to give something back to the community and hone our Tamil language skills at the...
As Britain’s first university term drew to a close, students across the country geared up for the launch of the country's first ever inter-university gaana dance competition, “Kings of Gaana”. Based on ‘gaana’ dancing, a style derived from traditional Tamil folk music, the much anticipated competition saw teams from universities across the city competing to be crowned champions. The event hosted by King’s College London Tamil Society , saw a vibrant exhibition of Tamil culture from London’s student community, with committee members dressed in traditional Tamil clothing; the boys in vettis and...
Students at the University College London closed the second week of the ‘Breaking the Silence’ campaign, after successful exhibitions at King’s College, Imperial College, Brunel University and London Metropolitan University. Being in close proximity to a Volunteering Society stall as well as an Occupy protest did little to draw attention away from the ‘Breaking the Silence’ posters and artwork which was exhibited in the South Cloisters – the connecting hallway of UCL’s main building as well as the access point to the college’s main library. Members of UCLU’s International Tamil Society were...
London Metropolitan University Tamil Society hosted this year's 'Breaking The Silence' exhibition, as part of an awareness raising campaign by London students highlighting the genocide of Tamils. The campaign, organised with university Tamil societies and the Tamil Youth Organisation UK, involves students making posters and flyers to display at universities across London. Taking place during the lively lunch hours in the university campus, the exhibition attracted dozens of students to their stall. Manned by dozens of volunteers, Tamils and non-Tamils alike, including members of staff came to...
The Tamil Youth Organisation – Switzerland held a protest last week, condemning the arrests of students at Jaffna University over the marking of Maveerar Naal. The youths gathered outside the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva and demanded the immediate release of the students and called upon the international community and the United Nations to take concrete actions to secure the rights of Tamils.