Posts Tagged ‘News’
What is Thai Pongal?By Admin - January 5th, 2014 |
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What is Thai Pongal? Thai Pongal is a four-day long harvest festival where individuals offer thanks to nature for providing grain, the basic staple of the food chain. The etymology of Thai Pongal can be traced to the meaning of its root words “pong” and “thai,” which mean “to boil” and “January” in Thamil. Thai Pongal marks the first day of a new year, and a new month of the Thamil calendar. On this day, farmers will thank nature, especially the Sun and the farm cattle for their allowing them to reap a bountiful harvest, and will harvest new crops including rice, cereals, sugar cane, and turmeric for the next season. A dish of Pongal is also prepared using freshly harvested rice by farmers, the pot of rice, milk and jaggery (pongal) is set to boil until it boils over the pot in beliefs that doing so will result in a bountiful year. Thai Pongal will be celebrated on January 14 this year. What is Maatu Pongal? Maatu Pongal is a celebration that follows Thai Pongal in which farmers honour their cattle for its hardwork by giving it a bath and adorning it. Who celebrates Thai Pongal? Thamils all over the world celebrate Thai Pongal by giving thanks to nature, making special dishes, giving gifts to family, and dressing up in new clothing. It is a cultural holiday and festival, thus it is celebrated by all Thamils. What is the significance of Thai Pongal? Thai Pongal is a highly socially significant holiday to the culture and tradition of the Thamil people. Thai Pongal is a day in where farmers thank nature for its bounty, and harvest a new set of crops for the new season. It marks the beginning of a new season, and beginning. Furthermore, the month of Thai has traditionally been the month in where most weddings are held. The Thamils have traditionally been an agrarian society, as a result, the months of plentiful harvest was the months in which resulted in the greatest economic output. Thai being such a month meant that more families were able to bear the expenses of holding a wedding. New Beginnings Many believe that with the onset of a New Year, better pathways and beginnings will follow, thus the common phrase, “Thai piranthaal, vali pirakum.” This post is part of the Tamil Heritage Month Initiative. Tamil Heritage Month began in 2010 and seeks to celebrate Tamil heritage, culture, and history. Throughout this month and January, we will be providing you with educational material and poetry such as this that seeks to help us celebrate and understand our culture, roots and heritage. |
Top Talents 2013 – A night of celebration!By Admin - December 29th, 2013 |
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Written By: CTYA Blogs Team Top Talents This year, Top Talents was studded with youth icons, community members, politicians, and Tamil youth. CTYA recognized these youth icons in the community with plaques. Fans were very excited to see all the stars come together. Seeing so many youth icons further highlighted the talented youth we have in the Tamil community. Congratulations to Top Talents 2013! Over the next few weeks, we will be profiling these Top Talents award winners on our blog, so stay tuned! To view photos: Ninaivukal Photo Gallery |
Top Talents 2013 Greetings from the Honourable Jason Kenney, PC, MPBy Admin - December 24th, 2013 |
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Greetings from the Honourable Jason Kenney, PC, MP Minister for Multiculturalism Ministre du Multiculturalisme I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to all those attending the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA)’s Top Talents Awards Gala. The CTYA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping Canada’s Tamil youth excel and become productive, successful members of our society. This event, now in its fourth year, is held annually to honour their accomplishments and provide them with the support and encouragement they need to achieve their goals. Our pluralistic society has become a success story, due, in large part, to the hard work and dedication of organizations such as the CTYA, who bring together communities and foster a spirit of friendship among all Canadians. As Prime Minister Stephen Harper stated: “Canadians can be proud to live in a society where we can celebrate our tremendous diversity while, at the same time, always taking pride in our country’s unique heritage.” As Minister for Multiculturalism, I would like to thank the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance for hosting this important event, and I offer my congratulations to all of the award recipients. Best wishes for a successful event. Sincerely, The Hon. Jason Kenney, PC, MP Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism |
A Personal Message from MP Michael Chan for Top Talents 2013By Admin - December 24th, 2013 |
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A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM MICHAEL CHAN December 2013 As the Member of Provincial Parliament for Markham-Unionville, I would like to take this opportunity to extend warm greetings to everyone in attendance on the occasion of the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA) 4th Annual Top Talents Awards Gala and Dinner to be held on December 28th. Ontarians work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to participate, contribute and achieve their goals. These values are an important feature of your organization’s mission to support our youth and annually showcase their achievements in the arts, academics and athletics. I commend the CTYA for your positive contributions to the community and for sharing our government’s vision that we are all part of One Ontario, working together to build a strong, prosperous and vibrant province. I extend my sincere congratulations to the award recipients and very best wishes for a memorable evening of celebration! Yours truly, Michael Chan, M.P.P. Markham–Unionville |
Toronto Ice Storm: Monday Morning UpdateBy Admin - December 23rd, 2013 |
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Toronto Ice Storm: Monday Morning Update Community Centers There are also seven warming spots at community centres opened in the city: Dennis R. Timbrell, Malvern, Agincourt, Don Montgomery, Driftwood, Mitchell Field, Matty Eckler, Franlin Horner and Joseph J. Piccinni. Also 2 Civic Centre Court next to the Etobicoke Community Centre. Transportation TTC streetcars now operational on all routes but expect delays. GO train and buses will be operating with reduced service. Scarborough RT and Sheppard Lines are not in service. Shuttle buses are running. Libraries Many of Toronto Public Library Branches remain open and are functional with power and heat. Check to see a full list of library branches that are open here. http://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/news_releases/2013/12/library-closures.html Remember, temperatures will keep dropping through the day right down to a low of -10 overnight. City officials are recommending that people go someplace warm as it may be until Christmas before power is restored. Also, if you have elderly family or neighbours, please do check up on them. Updated: Monday December 23, 2013 @ 9:30 AM |
Youth Icons – Thaves Ponnampalam!By Admin - December 21st, 2013 |
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Thaves is a young entrepreneur who started a business to help ease the ordering experience for customers at restaurants. Through Menyou, Thaves and his team strive to make the restaurant experience more enriching by diminishing the disconnect that often exists between restaurant owners and customers. Thaves serves as an example of how new ideas can be implemented if one believes in them enough to apply their learning and knowledge. For his innovative idea and his firm belief in making a difference through application, Thaves will be recognized as a Youth Icon CTYA’s Top Talents Awards Gala. |
Wishes from Wladyslaw Lizon, MP for Top Talents 2013!By Admin - December 21st, 2013 |
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Wladyslaw Lizon, MP Mississauga East-Cooksville December 28th, 2013 As the Member of Parliament for Mississauga East-Cooksville and on behalf of the Government of Canada, I am pleased to extend greetings to the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance on the occasion of your Annual Awards Gala and Dinner. I would also like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all nominees and award recipients as part of your Top Talents Awards where you recognize the efforts of young people in the areas of Arts, Academics, Athletics and Achievement. Please accept my best wishes as you continue with your noble vision to empower youth to become leaders in society. |
Congratulations from Councillor Joe Mihevc!By Admin - December 18th, 2013 |
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Councillor Joe Mihevc Toronto City Hall St. Paul’s West Ward 21 Toronto City Hall 100 Queen Street West Toronto, Ontario M5H 2N2 Telephone: (416) 392-0208 Fax: (416) 392-7466 Community Office 747 St. Clair Ave. Toronto, Ontario M6C 4C4 Telephone: (416) 392-7460 Fax: (416) 392-7459 E-Mail: councillor_mihevc@toronto.ca Home Page: www.joemihevc.com December 10, 2013 Dear Members of the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance, I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance in organizing your Top Talents Awards Gala. I would like to recognize your important contribution to the Tamil community in providing important encouragement to Tamil youth in Canada by empowering them to become leaders. Undoubtedly your programs and support enable youth to become leaders in today’s society and give them the skills and tools that they need to succeed. As the City Councillor of Ward 21 St. Paul’s West, and as a friend to the Tamil community, I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and express my gratitude to the staff and team of volunteers whose devotion, skills and efforts have made the organization the inspiration and success that it is. Together you are building an empowered and healthy community and city. Once again, congratulations on this exciting event, the Top Talents Awards Gala 2013. Together with the community of Ward 21, we honor the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance and commend your tremendous accomplishments. Sincerely Councillor Joe Mihevc Ward 21, St. Paul’s West |
Youth Icons – Abirami Shanmugaratnam!By Admin - December 17th, 2013 |
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Abirami is an athlete who excels in a wide variety of sports. Her outstanding skill in Track and Field comes from her high level of commitment. She placed first in many Track and Field competitions and her leadership skills are admirable. She also plays other sports such as rugby and soccer. Abirami is also dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles through volunteer work. For her commitment to sports and active living, Abirami Shanmugaratnam will be recognized at CTYA’s Top Talents Awards Gala. As a Canadian Tamil female within the sports arena, she serves as a role model for many youth. |
Youth Icons – Shelly Antony!By Admin - December 17th, 2013 |
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Shelly Antony will be recognized as a Youth Icon at CTYA’s 4th Annual Top Talents Awards Gala & Dinner. Shelly Antony is an actor in the well-recognized Canadian Tamil film titled ‘A Gun & A Ring,’ written and directed by Lenin M. Sivam. Shelly Antony has a passion for film and acting and is determined to pursue his dream. His perseverance and passion for the field of Acting and Film is one that is encouraging to many Canadian Tamil youth who also have similar interests and talents. |
