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The Bigger Picture, Take a step back.

By Admin - October 10th, 2013

Written By: Shankar Raj

When you look through your two eyes, in most cases it cannot capture the beauty of what is around you. Your eyes are only capable of capturing a certain distance, you may noticed that if you take a step back your brain starts to provide you a better understanding of the environment you are in. You start to develop a stronger understanding of the vibe around you and the pace of the world around you.

In our generation many of us grew up with some knowledge of the fight for the freedom of our people. We can recall many symbols of our porattam, whether it is our beautiful Puli Kodi that instills us with great pride. Or our heroic, unwavering leader who inspired us to have great self respect for being Thamil, our Thalaivar Velupillai Prabharan. Or the Kalarais which remind us of the divinity and power of the sacrifices each one of our Maaveerar gave us. And many of us recall a great sense of pride and fire to strike back when people challenge us of our beliefs. Although it is great we are defend ourselves’ we should also take the necessary steps to educate ourselves of many important things Anton Balasingham, Lt. Col. Thileepan, and countless heroes such as Kittu Anna, who have left behind messages for us. Even in Thalaivar’s speeches and interviews where we see tons of foreshadowing of the Eelam struggle.

It takes a great deal of self initiative to educate yourself using books such as the Will to Freedom, War and Peace, or a Fleeting Moment in my country, or reach out to local Tamil organizations who seek to protect Tamil identity. I am no one to tell anyone what they should and shouldn’t do but, putting aside some time to find out the fundamentals of your identity should be considered as an essential part of discovering who we are. As a generation growing up with access to up and coming technology, and state of the art education systems, as Tamil Youth we can seek to achieve great heights in many industries. We have great potential to become great leaders in our community and rebuild our homeland Tamileelam, when it is finally liberated from the chains of the oppressive Srilankan government and external forces.

At a moment in history when there are vast amounts of questions and plumbs of smoke, what I am saying to you today is, we should take a few steps back and look at the entire picture of the Eelam struggle. Look at the progress we are making as a the Tamileelam movement. Let us recall our principles, and what those who have genuinely fought for the Eelam struggle have told us. Let put aside little, little issues that are between us and stand united as we take move forward into the vast unknown the future holds for us with a positive outlook. As when one day the smoke does clear and the Eelam struggle is justified as a genuine struggle among others in history, we will rejoice in our beautiful Tamileelam.

Generation Y – Social Media Challenge Conclusion

By Admin - October 10th, 2013

Written By: Senthamil Stefi

For those of you who read my last piece, you would know that I tested out the theory of Generation Y’s dependence on social media. I had challenged myself to four months off social media but only lasted for one. I learned a lot during that month. But I also learned a lot coming back to social media after that month.

During that one month I realized the amount of pressure and role social media had on an individual’s life. It’s a constant attachment. An extension of one’s self. It’s an extension that follows you wherever you go, even to bed as you sleep next to your smart phone. It’s a constant doorway into a social atmosphere not really giving you room to be alone and not be judged. Being off social media, I felt a huge surge of being “free”. It felt like it was just me and the few best friends I had as contacts on my phone. It felt like I was free of any sort of judgment and that I could make any decisions or discoveries I wanted. It felt nice to not be connected to the social world. But that was short lived.

I soon realized that not having social media felt like I was keeping a part of myself inside. It wasn’t necessarily a hold onto the external world in a negative way. It was a medium that I used to express myself that was taken away. I guess I do have a dependence on social media but not for validation but a way to convey thoughts and ideas that come across my mind at that moment. Having social media in our generation is not something that should be frowned upon but should be applauded. It’s not only a way to keep up to date with your friends but it’s a way to release your emotions at your own will…whether it be tweeting about life on Twitter, or making a vlog on YouTube, or posting a picture of your favourite dish on FoodShootr. Like researchers at Harvard stated, talking about one’s self gives us a sense of satisfaction that having a nice slice of delicious cake gives us.

I do believe that we may need time away from social media at times so that we aren’t always posting about our lives and can actually have time alone. But having the technology to do so is something truly amazing. I really believe it’s a therapist in disguise… a medium that you can talk to even if it’s not acknowledged by friends or relatives. Just posting something is an internal satisfaction in itself as we express ourselves. Social media is a dependence… but I would say it is healthy within its limits.

Thangachi’s Corner: Try, Try, Try Again

By Admin - October 9th, 2013

October 9, 2013

Thangachi’s Corner: Try, Try, Try Again

CTYA’s Blog has started a new Feature every other Wednesday called “Thangachi’s Corner”. “Thangachi’s Corner” is a comfortable space to discuss relatable topics and issues relevant to the Canadian Tamil youth of today. For more information about this feature or to suggest a topic, feel free to e-mail us at blogs@ctya.org!

Written By: Keerthana Raveendran

“‘Tis a lesson you should heed: Try, try, try again.

If at first you don’t succeed, Try, try, try again.”

– Thomas H. Palmer, Teacher’s Manual

When that quote first hit the public, it spread like auntie’s cooking around the dinner table. The fact that we still say it a hundred and seventy years down the road is a testament to its power.

But what our friend Thomas H. Palmer failed to mention, though, is the crippling, hindering, depressing pain that failure often brings.

You know the one—when you spend hours studying for an exam, only to find that you haven’t quite met the goal you’d set for yourself. Or when you spend weeks of time and effort to undergo an endeavour close to your heart, only to discover that you’d gone about it the wrong way and have to start back at square one. Failure comes in all shapes and sizes but drops the same cold weight in your gut.

Sometimes you can see it coming. You know perfectly well that victory is an elusive mistress, so you prepare yourself for defeat, only to find that you can never prepare yourself for it, not really. Nothing makes it pleasant or tolerable; nothing removes the disappointment in being unable to achieve that goal, and you find yourself left to sulk and wallow in your self-pity.

But if you are going to wallow, like we all do from time to time, do it only for a day before chiding yourself with a, Are you serious? Pull yourself together already! Because all things considered, Palmer’s right. Perseverance goes a long way and while it seems as though it’s more convenient down on the ground where you’ve been shoved, you’re probably not going to find what you’re looking for down there.

Let’s be honest: you’re going to fail—a lot. But you’re also going to succeed if you give yourself the time and opportunity to do it. After all, when you compare a sole attempt with ten, your chances of success are far better with the latter.

About the Author:

Keerthana Raveendran, known by her flock as Thangachi, is an aspiring author with an eye for the eccentricities of the Tamil Canadian culture. As an unemployed student with a mountain load of student debt, she is currently broke, so you will probably be able to relate to her. As a writer, she has a special kind of wit that is present on the page and absent during the awkward conversations you tend have with her in person. Thangachi is currently a Masters student studying English at York University.

The Far Reaches of Systematic Genocide

By Admin - October 5th, 2013

Written By: Athithan Kurukulasingam

When one thinks about genocide, they look at the very root of the word. Genocide consists of the systematic eradication of a group within a region. Oftentimes, the group is the noticeable minority and face hardships far beyond the reaches of our comfortable way of life here in the west. There is a problem however, when you look at genocide in its most singular form, many of the other atrocities that are committed goes unnoticed. Within Sri Lanka, the Sri-Lankan Government would like the world to believe that the ‘war’ is over and that sense of normalcy is returning to the “nation”. However, it must be emphasized that this is far from the truth. It only takes a brief glance to notice the serious cases of genocide that are still taking place within this so called nation.

In late August of 2013, in the Kilinochchi villages of Tamil Eelam, Tamil women were faced with coercive and underhanded tactics by Sinhalese doctors for ‘voluntary’ population control. At the outset, the terminology must be clarified. For purposes of this piece, the term “birth control,” also known as “family planning” and “planned parenthood” will be used in sync and refers to the voluntary planning and action by individuals to have the number of children they want, when and if they want them. In contrast “population control” is used to reiterate the belief that for the betterment of society in light of overpopulation, individuals should reduce the number of children they have (Robert, 1973). The women of the Kilinochchi villages were approached by hospital staff and volunteers and were informed that any woman with a child under the age of five should come to the hospital the following day to weigh their children and to receive a vaccination. Many of these women put their faith in the hands of an authority figure out of good faith. It must be noted that these women felt that they would get the best service from these big doctors from the city. Once there the problems started to arise. “Upon arrival at the hospital, the doctors and nurses used coercive language and manipulated medical information to convince the women to take Progestogen-only sub dermal implants (POSDIs), a long-term hormonal birth control inserted under the skin of a woman’s upper arm” (Social Architects, 2013).

My Mother …

By Admin - October 5th, 2013

Written by: Gayathiri Sivakumar

When I was a little girl, my mother told me that if I studied well, maintained my fair skin, and was a ‘good’ girl, did not talk to boys, I would land myself a Prince. She said, if I grew up with how she suggested, then everyone would want to marry me. I dutifully followed her command, after all, I wanted to ensure that I married a Prince. I maintained my A-student status, I stayed out of the sun, I was polite, obedient and meek, and I hardly talked to boys (unless it was school-related).Until I was in high school that is. It was then at some point, where I felt like I was not living my own life. It felt like I was living out my mother’s life. I felt entrapped, although I was a young teenager, here I was, pretending to be someone I was really not. This feeling was really brought on when my mother began to parade me around to the community, letting them know what a catch I was. But it was all superficial. I met boys like myself, successful, but unhappy. Puppets really. I felt like how Jeyam Ravi felt in Santhosh Subramanium. I felt I had to please her.

I resented my mother. I blamed her continuously, I felt like she was the cause of my unhappiness. I felt that I lived a sheltered life, one where I was made into a socially awkward person, despite being born in Canada, was because of her repressive nature. I knew nothing of the popular bands, brands, or anything – I was totally forbidden from particiapting in normal activities as such. I felt like I was reprived of life and happiness because of the sheltered life she raised me in.

Thoondal: In Memory of Thileepan Anna

By Admin - October 2nd, 2013

Written By: Shayanika Suresh

Thileepan Anna… For as long as I can remember, this is the name that is uttered whenever the words dedication, determination, patriotism, peace and sacrifice come into discussion in our community. We all say, in one moment or in another, that we are ready to do anything for someone or something, but,
very few of us are able to take the next step, actually doing it.

Thileepan Anna, the intelligent and dedicated student whose ambition was to become a doctor, was one of those few individuals. Choosing non-violence over weapons, on the 15th Thileepan Anna began his own battle against hunger in order to raise awareness of the dire situation his people were in. The impact of this starvation took his life eleven days later, and although, none of his demands were met, his death brought hundreds and thousands of people together as a community.

Thileepan Anna could have become a doctor and saved hundreds of lives today. But, he realized the importance of standing up in 1987, and questioning the injustice around him. He took the first step, not knowing what would happen. Without even the smallest glimpse of hope, he did what he could in that moment. That is the courage that all youth should carry within themselves. The determination and dedication that Thileepan Anna showed twenty-six years ago are values that he would want youth to continue to depict today!

As a youth, the message that I wish to put forth today, in the memory of Thileepan Anna, is this: We may not be able to control the number of years that we live, but we can most definitely determine what we can or cannot do, and that is a liberty that has been denied to many throughout history. As such, we are indeed privileged, but what have we done in return? Remember your roots, embrace your identity, and stand strong in the face of obstacles. Every one of us was born to lead, in one way or another.

Choose your path and do not stray from it. Forget your fears, and take that first step. The rest of your journey will unfold.

Thangachi’s Corner: The Elusive Career Path

By Editor - September 24th, 2013

Written By: Keerthana Raveendran

When I first told my family that I wanted to become an elementary school teacher, they thought I was crazy.

You see, up until a few years ago, my ambitions were directed towards medicine. During high school, I happily put myself through the three main sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics; and completed a Neuroscience degree throughout my undergraduate years, subjecting myself to hours of talking to the wall as I worked through the material, or otherwise, pages and pages of re-written notes in the hope that one of these rewrites, it’s going to sink in; as well as a subconscious, deep-rooted dislike of my alarm clock every morning.

And through all of this madness, I found myself not only tutoring, volunteering and mentoring, but doing so quite happily on an extra-curricular basis. So then when I finally came to my senses and applied to teacher’s college after graduation, it was due to a culmination of:

1) No longer kidding myself that medicine is the career path for me;

2) Having way more fun teaching through a program that had nothing to do with medicine, than is allowed for someone who was filling out applications for med and dental; and

3) Meeting people who were far more capable, and most importantly, more motivated and passionate about the career than myself.

Because that, I found, is what’s important.

Skin Deep: Are beauty pageants still relevant?

By Editor - September 21st, 2013

Written By: Shalini Gopal

In today’s day and age, are beauty pageants still relevant? Nina Davuluri won the Miss. America title last weekend, making her the first person of South-Asian descent to win the title. There has been a huge backlash from Americans who have been appalled that she won (but that is best left for another story).

What I sat wondering was, why in today’s age, do we still have beauty pageants? I mean, in my opinion, beauty pageants continue to contribute in the objectification of women. Why do we need to judge a women’s beauty, and have them compete for a title based mainly on physical appearance?

Toddlers and Tiaras, a popular show where toddlers participate in such ridiculous pageants further teach girls that appearance is what determines their success. We should teach our girls much more than that. Beauty without brains is nothing. In a bold move, France has just announced last week that it is banning all child beauty pageants because they are resulting in the hyper-sexualization of minors. (The Senate has adopted the Bill, and now will be making its way as a law). Organisers of such pageants may face a jail term of up to two years and a fine of 30,000 euros (£25,000; $40,000).

Whenever I see a beauty pageant contest, I really feel disgusted. Do you see a group of men parading themselves around competing in beauty pageants to the same scale? Why do we women allow society to objectify us to mere objects measured on outward appearance? Have we not come a long way in fighting against oppression to further subject ourselves to this?

I want to one day, be able to see a community of girls, who will not fret over how they look and measure themselves in outward worldly looks. I want them to measure their success by their intelligence, confidence and their contribution to society. In today’s day and age, I say, beauty pageants are for the weak.

Shadism: Wear your shade with pride

By Editor - September 21st, 2013

If you were asked to define the South Asian culture, what would you say? Would you say black and white?

Out culture is not defined by one or two colors. The beauty of our culture lies in the the many rich and vibrant colors that it embraces.

And like our culture, the people of our culture don’t come in one or two shades. They comes in so many different shades of beautiful.

Embrace your shade. Wear your shade with pride.

‘Good Morning – A Musical Journey’ by SE Boyz

By Editor - September 21st, 2013

Written By: SE Boyz

Montreal’s SE Boyz have released their debut album entitled ‘Good Morning – A Musical Journey’ to the general public this week. In case you haven’t heard of them, here’s a short bio of who they are:

Established 2007, SE Boyz have become one the most influential independent Tamil diaspora artists we have seen grow here in Canada. They are a team of artists. Each member provides a unique style and when put together, form one of the most multi-talented teams to catch the public eye. Specializing in rapping, singing and music production, they have learned to incorporate these talents into diverse genres of music. However, what needs to be said is that they infuse the Tamil language in every song to preserve their cultural heritage. They have many hit singles such as Konjam Vekkam & Valiba Vayasu and have collaborated with numerous other Tamil diaspora artists and producers across the globe. They are currently working alongside TJ Production to deliver music to their audience.

This new Good Morning project has been a 6 year dream for the team and is available now for purchase at online stores. You can purchse it on iTunes and Amazon.

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