Archive for the ‘History & Culture’ Category
Remembering Black JulyBy Editor - July 20th, 2018 |
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From July 24th to the 29th of 1983, more than 3,000 Tamils killed and over 150,000 become refugees, many fleeing the country to India and the West. Prison guards allow Sinhalese génocidaires into the wards holding Tamil political prisoners- 53 Tamil political prisoners are tortured and killed. |
11th Anniversary of Sencholai MassacreBy Editor - August 14th, 2017 |
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Imagine yourself in a classroom, in the midst of a civil war. You are fearing the worst, but continue your life as a normal day. You head to your all female school and are in the classroom. Around 7:30am, when you are barely awake you hear an aircraft flying above you. You have been taught to duck and seek shelter. However, it is too late. Everything goes dark, and you hear a huge blast. What is it? Am I alive? Can I open my eyes? These questions run through your mind. You open your eyes, and try to move. Your leg is pinned down by a piece of debris. |
Thaalam 2017 Greetings from Councillor Kristyn Wong-TamBy Editor - July 5th, 2017 |
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I am happy to offer support for Thaalam 2017 in their rousing artistic works. I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the organizers who spent hours putting this together and wish all participants a wonderful time! |
Thaalam 2017 Greetings from MP Gary AnandasangareeBy Editor - June 20th, 2017 |
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As we celebrate Canada 150, we reflect on our shared Canadian values. Paramount to our identity is the strength we draw from our varied cultural backgrounds. Through this event, the Arts & Culture Council of CTYA provides an opportunity for Tamil youth to display our rich Tamil heritage and culture. Best wishes to all the competing teams and congratulations to all who dedicated their time and hard work to make this event a success. |
Petals of my SkinBy Editor - November 24th, 2015 |
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Petals of my skin |
Regenesis – Book DriveBy Editor - May 29th, 2015 |
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Regenesis: new birth, renewal. A book drive will be held at Scarborough Civic Centre on June 1 starting at 3:00 p.m., in memory of the burning of the Jaffna Library on the nights of May 31st and June 1st, 1981. All books will be donated to the SickKids Hospital. |
‘Veera Mangai’ Velu Nachiyar – The Joan of Arc of IndiaBy Editor - February 26th, 2015 |
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Rani Velu Nachiyar was the first ever female warrior to challenge the British Empire in the Indian War of Independence. As such, she redefined the role of women within the Indian freedom fighting revolution. With the majority of men at the time behind bars, she mobilized a women’s artillery. This army was named Udayaal in honour of the Rani’s adopted daughter, who died after detonating a British arsenal. Veluni Nachiyar is also credited to have created the first human suicide attack: Kuyili, a female soldier, doused herself in oil, entered a British-owned ammunitions storage, and destroyed the facility by self-immolation. |
News Release: CTYA Welcomes NPC ResolutionBy Editor - February 12th, 2015 |
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On February 10th, 2015, the Northern Provincial Council (NPC), with overwhelming support, passed a resolution calling for an international investigation into the ongoing genocide perpetrated by the Sri Lankan Government against Eelam Tamils. The Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA) welcomes this resolution as a meaningful move towards justice and the freedom of the Eelam Tamil Nation. |
Our Thai PongalBy Editor - January 14th, 2015 |
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Written By: Tharnya Sivanithy I, Walk through pools of muddy water Within the green pleated fields. The sun radiates its warmth Encouraging me to carry on As I bend and pull plants That were seeds, months before My wife, Pours the small brown and white grains That mother earth and I toiled to make Into the… |
Waiting For DawnBy Admin - November 17th, 2014 |
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Written By: Keera Ratnam That day has not yet come. My people, the Tamil people, and I have been suffering from physical and mental torture. We’ve been stripped our rights and privileges – and have become muted. Despite all the suffering, we are not able to speak our voices. Why, you may ask? Why we have not spoke out? But the truth is, we are not allowed to speak. And when we do try to let our voices be heard, it is silenced. From the tiniest quarrel from our youngest living to the last standing alive. But do not worry, my brothers and sisters are not hopeless. We too believe that we will be free one day. We left our homes, family and dreams in search of a new day and to bring a day of light to our people. We are the children of today, we must work to give light to the ones that will rise tomorrow. We took oath. An oath to fight till the end, and we must vow to fight, from dawn till dusk, until a new horizon is risen. We walked many miles, up many hills, dug many bunkers, fled from forest to forest, and fled from house to house. We held on to every mother and father, and promised to protect them as our own. We watched our friends cry in pain, fall within our arms asking us to hold on tight, tighter. We carried the dead, to put them to rest, and took them home for their families to see. Mothers yelled, cried and fell down to their feet. Asking their child’s body if they can have the one last chance to meet, talk, hug. Many of us lost arms and legs. Many lost their lives and some gave up their livelihood. They did not rest, they did not stop, they went on as each fighter fell. As death came closer, they said, beneath the ground we shall go, but will up-rise again as young springs and continue on with our journey until the rays of sunlight from tomorrow shines upon us with delight. From Dawn till Dusk we shall not sleep, beneath the ground we shall not rest, until the day has come for the birth of our nation. |
