Greetings from the Honourable Tim Uppal, P.C., M.P.!

Minister of State (Multiculturalism) Ministre d’État (Multiculturalisme)

Greetings from the Honourable Tim Uppal, P.C., M.P.

Warmest greetings, on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada, to all those attending the Thaalam 2014: The Ultimate Gaana Competition organized by the Arts & Culture Council of the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA).

Dance is an art form that transcends cultural boundaries and is a great medium for intercultural dialogue and understanding. We are privileged to live in a country where we can discover the beautiful traditions of our fellow Canadians and join them in their celebrations.

As Prime Minister Harper noted: “Canada today is an example of the world in our embrace of diversity, in the ability of Canadian federalism to preserve what distinguishes our communities while strengthening what unites us as a country.”

Canada’s Tamil community has long played an important part in the social, cultural and economic development of our nation, and the Thalaam Dance Competition provides an opportunity to share a glimpse of your rich history, customs and traditions – making our nation stronger and more prosperous.

I commend the organizers of this wonderful event for your dedication to Canadian Tamil youth and for your continued commitment to Canadian pluralism.

Best wishes to everyone attending the Thaalam 2014: The Ultimate Gaana Competition.

Sincerely,

The Honourable Tim Uppal, P.C., M.P. Minister of State for Multiculturalism

Thaalam best wishes from Hon. Judy A. Sgro!

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”

– Marcus Garvey

To My Friends Attending the Thaalam Dance Competition:

On behalf of the Parliamentary Caucus of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Leader Justin Trudeau, I am pleased to add my name to the list of those extending best wishes as you celebrate the Thaalam Dance Competition.

It has been said that Canada is a nation of newcomers that, unlike any other place, celebrates and honours various religious and cultural traditions, languages and histories within our national mosaic. Without question, this proclivity gives the country tremendous strength, flavour and resilience and, in a real way, this freedom is the underpinning of your event today. You are part of the Canadian Family and the Thaalam Dance Competition is significant. As you visit with friends and family, and enjoy unique performances, remember to praise and honour your roots by showcasing the rich and accomplished cultural heritage of your forbearers both here and around the world. Doing this provides a remarkable opportunity for all Canadians to witness and enjoy the beauty and complexity of a culture that now finds a home here in Canada.

Today as you come together to celebrate, please know there are those of us in the Liberal Party who stand with you. May you continue to enjoy success and happiness in the years ahead and may the traditions of your ancestors be a legacy for your children.

Your friend always,

Hon. Judy A. Sgro, Privy Council, MP York West

Thaalam Wishes from Jagmeet Singh, MPP!

March 12, 2014

Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance Toronto, Ontario Canada

Dear Friends,

Congratulations to the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA) for organizing Thaalam 2014: The Ultimate Gaana Competition. This dance competition will bring Ontarians together from across the province to watch as Tamil youth display their talent to supporters and to the greater community.

CTYA is a not-for-profit youth organization committed to empowering Canadian Tamil youth to become outstanding leaders and citizens in our society.

Ontario’s youth need to feel our support and we all need to work together to ensure our young people have positive alternatives to create safer communities and neighbourhoods we can all enjoy.

Thank you to CTYA for organizing events that empower youth by not only acknowledging their many accomplishments, but also by motivating the entire youth community to take advantage of the opportunities available to them.

Together, we can build a stronger and happier Ontario.

Wishing the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance and all the participants a successful event and many more to come!

Sincerely,

Jagmeet Singh, MPP Bramalea-Gore-Malton

Greetings from Councillor Jaye Robinson!

March 11, 2014

To the Coordinating Committee of Thaalam 2014,

It gives me great pleasure to extend greetings to everyone attending and participating in Thaalam: The Ultimate Gaana Competition in Toronto on March 22, 2014.

Thaalam allows Tamil students to showcase their talent and love for dance.

Thaalam 2014 would not be possible without hard work of the Arts and Culture Council of the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA). The CTYA recognizes the importance of youth engagement and provides a variety of programs and services that allow Tamil youth to become outstanding leaders and citizens.

Please accept my best wishes for a wonderful event! Warm Regards,

Jaye Robinson
City Councillor
Ward 25 – Don Valley West

Thaalam Greetings from MPP Rosario Marchese!

Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance

11 March 2014
Dear members of the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance,

Over the years the Tamil population in Toronto and other parts of Ontario has grown substantially bringing with it the different customs and cultural practices of everyday life that can enrich all segments of the population in our province. Certainly many Tamils have become leaders in their fields in our province.

We are fortunate to have an organization such as the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance that focuses its help on young people by providing them with opportunities to develop their skills in a variety of areas through advocacy, education, arts and sports.

I am very encouraged to see that the Arts and Culture Council of the CTYA is now preparing for Thalam 2014: The Ultimate Gaana Competition at the prestigious John Bassett Theatre of the Metro Convention Centre. The Thalam competition will bring together not only members of the Tamil community but also others who are interested in the cultural manifestations that are portrayed and performed through the dances.

This event will allow the youth of your organization and community to take pride in their language and cultural heritage in the context of a large cosmopolitan society.

Congratulations, I wish you all much success with Thalam 2014. I am certain that you will continue to help promote a rich and altruistic Ontario.

Sincerely,

Rosario Marchese, MPP Trinity-Spadina

Thaalam Greetings from Hon. Michael Coteau Minister!

Thaalam 2014

It is my pleasure to extend warm greetings to everyone attending the Thaalam 2014: The Ultimate Gaana Competition.

Hosted by the Arts & Culture Council of Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA), this is a wonderful way to encourage and celebrate youth talent in the arts field.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize the CTYA’S efforts to empower Canadian Tamil youth to become outstanding leaders and citizens in our society.

We are fortunate to have a multicultural society, including the Tamil community, which continues to shape our province socially, culturally and economically. Ontario’s diversity is certainly our strength.

Please accept my best wishes for a fun and memorable event. Sincerely,

The Honourable Michael Coteau Minister

Thaalam Greetings from Councillor Chin Lee

Councillor Chin Lee

Scarborough Rouge River – Ward 41

Toronto City Hall Tel: (416) 392-1375 100 Queen Street W., Suite A10 councillor_lee@toronto.ca Toronto, ON M5H 2N2

Thaalam 2014: The Ultimate Gaana Competition Greetings from City Councillor Chin Lee

On behalf of the City of Toronto and Ward 41 constituents, I am pleased to offer my best wishes on the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance’s (CTYA) event, Thaalam 2014: The Ultimate Gaana Competition.

The Greater Toronto Area is home to one of the largest and most active Tamil communities in North America. The CTYA demonstrates that it is committed to empowering Tamil-Canadian youth in becoming community leaders and outstanding citizens in contemporary Canadian society.

Providing young Tamil-Canadians with the opportunity to develop into future leaders in arts and culture is a remarkable endeavour and is one of value to the organization’s members.

I take this opportunity to wish your organization and all members many years of success.

Sincerely,

Councillor Chin Lee
Ward 41 – Scarborough Rouge River

Best wishes for Thaalam 2014 – MPP Frank Klees

To the Members of the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance:

As the Member of Provincial Parliament for Newmarket-Aurora, I extend greetings and best wishes to the participants in the Thaalam 2014: The Ultimate Gaana Competition.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the ongoing work of the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance for all that you do to develop and strengthen the youth of the Tamil community to proudly make their place in the Canadian Mosaic.

Please accept my best wishes for what I know will be a successful and memorable day!

Sincerely,

Frank Klees, M.P.P.

Newmarket-Aurora

Greetings for Thaalam 2014 from MPP Vic Dhillon

I would like to extend my sincere felicitations to Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance organizers of Thaalam 2014.

Performing arts completion like Thaalam is an effective way to inform our youth and others about our culture and heritage. It provides competitors a stage to showcase their talents and for the audience enjoying spectacular performances and greats works of arts literature and poetry.

Our strength lies in diversity. We are a proud collections of different ancestries, languages and beliefs. We enjoy different cuisines and play various sports. Our rich heritage, strong family, social ties and successful businesses with hard working Ontarians have helped create the prosperous and dynamic society we enjoy today.

I would also like to congratulate all competitors and volunteers who help make this festival a success. My message to all the teams competing is to work hard and enjoy.

Best Regards,

Vic Dhillon MPP Brampton West

Tamil Eelam Challenge Cup – Volleyball 2014

Tamil Eelam Challenge Cup – Volleyball 2014

Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA) is proud to announce we will be holding our 1st Tamil Eelam Challenge Cup Tournament for Volleyball. The Tamil Eelam Cup represents the height of Tamil Leagues in both soccer and cricket since its launch in 2009. The desire and passion for these sports brings out best Tamil players to this tournament in hopes of winning the cup. Since 2009 the tournaments have witnessed great games, endless support from numerous fans of the tournament and has brought the community together. This year we are introducing volleyball to the annual Tamil Eelam Challenge Cup Tournaments.

The Tamil Eelam Challenge Cup also presents an opportunity to maintain our identity through sports. It is an excellent way to promote our youth and showcase their talents. To further encourage the Tamil identity, the awards for best players of the tournament will be given under the names of national symbols of Tamil Eelam; Vaahai being the national Tree; Siruththai being the national animal; and Chenbagam being the national bird.

The TECC Volleyball tournament will occur on: Saturday March 29th from 10:00am-6:00pm at Cederbrae Collegiate Institute. The tournament is open to everyone and we are having a call out of teams from 6 to 10 players. To register a team, please email: athletics@ctya.org or contact 647.470.2892. The last day to register is Sunday, March 16th 2014.

CTYA’s Athletics Council seeks to provide Canadian Tamil youth with an avenue to develop their leadership skills through athletics and recreational programs. The aim of this council is to educate through athletics, promote outstanding sportsmanship and build team spirit.