Canadian Tamil Congress Celebrates 13th Annual Thai Pongal Dinner

The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) hosted its 13th annual Thai Pongal Dinner on January 18th, 2020 at the Hilton Suites in Markham. Despite a snowstorm that lasted for most of the day a large number of guests attended the event which as in previous years showcased the achievements of the Tamil community in Canada and across the world  and highlighted CTC’s many accomplishments  in 2019.

The dinner was attended by several dignitaries including elected officials from all levels of Government. Hon. Mary Ng, Federal Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International, Hon. Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance from the Province of Ontario,  Mayor Frank Scarpitti – City of Markham, Mayor Iain Lovatt – Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville and Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson – City of Toronto brought greetings. Guests also included senior members of various law enforcement agencies, academics, members of media, business and community leaders from various communities.

The Leaders for Change Award was presented to Ms. Kanimozhi Mathi, a practising Attorney at Law at the High Court of Madras, India for her successful legal intervention in protecting the Keezhadi, Tamil Nadu, an area of great archaeological significance  for Tamils. Current excavations continue to provide clear evidence of the trading prowess of the Tamils thousands of years ago and the sophistication of their civilization. Her legal victory has guaranteed that the site will live as a testament to all Tamils world wide and instil in them a even more heightened appreciation of their origins.

This year’s “Service Excellence Award” was presented to Dr. Thangamuthu Sathiyamoorthy, Director of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital for his immense and selfless contribution towards Health and Education in the  war affected Northern Province of Sri Lanka. He has worked to support underprivileged Tamil youth in the Northern Province to access both secondary and post secondary education without being held back by their economic circumstances. Dr. Sathiyamoorthy in the finest traditions of altruistic medical practitioners, continued to provide medical care under very primitive conditions, during the last stages of the Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009, without any thought of his own safety thereby saving a number of lives.

“Since uplifting the Tamil people in Sri Lanka is a core part of the CTC’s mandate, we will put higher emphasis on fostering economic development and progress in the Northern and Eastern provinces through the North and East Economic Development (NEED) Centre and other partnering organizations and supporters”, said Sivan Ilangko, President of CTC

The event also featured captivating dance performances by the students of Smt. Nirothini Pararajasingham’s Niro Dance Creations and Smt. Jenani Kumar’s Shilompoli Shethra Dance Academy.

One of the highlights for this year’s CTC Thai Pongal Dinner was the Walk for Women Empowerment. This CTC initiative aimed at empowering women, primarily widows in North East Sri Lanka who have been worst affected by the over 30 year civil war in that island. Hand woven sarees and sarongs produced by these women, were showcased in the Walk for Women Empowerment, by Canadian Tamils of  all ages. Canadian Federal Minister for Small Business and International Trade, Minister Mary Ng wore one of these sarees to show her solidarity to the effort, supporting these deserving women in Sri Lanka. These sarees were also sold during the dinner and all the sarees were sold out by the end of the event.

Handicraft made in Jaffna, Sri Lanka was also displayed as a centre piece in the tables for this year’s Pongal Dinner as a support, encouragement and exposure for these products and producers in the war affected regions of Sri Lanka.

In addition, youth members of the Centre for Leadership and Innovation (CFLI) which is again a successful initiative by the Canadian Tamil Congress  to prepare our future leaders, made an outstanding presentation on the need to support women empowerment in war affected North East Sri Lanka.

The CTC would like to thank all of the guests who braved the inclement weather and attended the event this year.  We look forward to hosting you again at next year’s Annual Thai Pongal Dinner.