The London Borough of Hounslow passed a motion declaring January as Tamil Heritage Month, as well as marking January 14 as Thai Pongal in the borough’s calendar. 

The motion, proposed by Councillor Ron Mushiso and seconded by Councillor Allan Joseph, states that:

“London’s Tamil community, originating from Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and elsewhere, makes a strong contribution to the life of our city. Over 3,000 Tamils from around the world have made Hounslow as their home.”

In his speech, Joseph noted the rich history and culture of the Tamil people and detailed the powerful contribution Tamils made to life in the UK, working as “doctors, nurses, social workers, engineers, lawyers, business professionals, sports persons and other key professions”.

In December 2021, the London Assembly declared January as Tamil Heritage Month and called on London boroughs to ensure the month was marked by festivities welcoming this tradition. Joseph called on Hounslow to mark the 14 January as Pongal to celebrate the Tamil language, culture, arts and heritage.

This announcement follows the borough of Kingston being twinned with the city of Jaffna, in 2016.

The full text of Hounslow Council’s motion is:

“London’s Tamil community, originating from Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and elsewhere, makes a strong contribution to the life of our city. Over 3,000 Tamils from around the world have made Hounslow as their home.

There are an estimated 15,000 British Tamils working for NHS England as doctors, nurses, and front-line health professionals. We have been cared by some of them in Health centres and GP surgeries in and around our Borough. Number of adult social care facilities are operated by Tamils entrepreneurs, caring for some of the most vulnerable in our society.

British Tamils are serving as teachers and teaching assistants in schools in our Borough including 3 Language schools where Tamil language and Art being taught to children living in Hounslow.

British Tamils have made significant contributions to the social, economic, cultural and political fabric of the United Kingdom (UK); from serving in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War to Tamil scientists working on the Astra Zeneca vaccine.

On 2nd December 2021, to recognise the invaluable contribution Tamil community made to our city, the London Assembly declared January as Tamil Heritage Month and has called London boroughs to ensure these occasions are marked and that our much-valued Tamil community is supported across the city.

As a Borough who are profoundly grateful for the work that they do.

Therefore, this Council resolves to:

·       Recognise our Tamil community for their invaluable contribution to our borough by including Tamil Heritage Month and Pongal (Harvest Festival) - commences on 14th January every year, as part of Council’s event calendar.

·       Mark Tamil Heritage Month and Pongal (Harvest Festival) to ensure that our much-valued Tamil community groups are supported across the borough to celebrate Tamil language, culture, arts and heritage.”