29 October 2010 REACH

OCTOBER 2010 Vol - 29 TYO - Canada

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Tamil HistoryFeature Articles

Youth CanadaWorld History

Did You Know?Youth Reflections

To work towards the enhancement of the

Tamil Nation and to provide an avenue

for the betterment of Tamil youth in canada

TYO 16 - 2122 - 23

TSA Maveerar Naal EventsGet Involved

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Living in the modern world where we enjoy the wealth of freedom and luxury of privileges we tend to forget the value and meaning of numerous things, such as rights. Women rights in particular is concern that is being addressed more in recent times, as it is not a concern for a specific group, but for the whole human race. Different cultures have different perspectives and opinions on the rights of women and enforce them to different degrees. The Tamil culture, similar to many Asian cultures, had restricted the rights of women and their roles in society. Fortunately, time has allowed for the plight of Tamil women to progress. Tamil women in today’s society both abroad and in the motherland of Tamils are well on their way to equality. The role and rights of women have changed; however, it does not disrupt the purity of the divine Tamil culture.

There are numerous Tamil women who exemplify the positive change in the Tamil community such as the first woman martyr, 2nd Lt. Malathy and the first woman Black Tiger Captain Angayarkanni. The two women martyrs have demonstrated the willpower and strength that Tamil women carry. The accomplishments of many women martyrs have been a tremendous contribution to the Tamil society and this was in result of the women rights being exercised in Tamileelam.

Women of Tamileelam are strong, skilled survivors. Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka are facing the most outrageous conditions that the world has allowed and beyond those conditions the Tamil women have it a degree worse. Even in such conditions that people label ‘life’, Eelam women astonish the world by their accomplishments as freedom fighters, strength to share their survival stories of abuse and rape, patriotism to send their children for

the country, academic achievements and the list extends. The world has realized that restricting women rights in any context is not beneficial, it merely provides as a loss considering the capacity of women to equate that of man. Although this realization is achieved the world and the Tamil community should bring it into action and enforce the rights of women. The fact that women oppression is present in a lower degree does not equate it being demolished. The plight of women is a process that can surely be achieved. The days when being a woman or giving birth to a girl causes fear and disappointment will be gone to the day where these emotions are turned into pride and delight; however, when this day comes is in our hands.

Nobody has the right to take away the rights of others, yet it happens. Everyone seems to remember that rights are unfortunately taken away and forget the fact that they can fight back this act. Let’s take the progression of the Tamil women’s plight to remember not to stop with reactions but to pursue with further actions.

– Saru. N

In Solidarity,TYO - Canada


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TYO - Press Release

Tamil Youth Organization (TYO) Canada marks the month of November 2010 as a month of remembrance and commemoration.

November 1st 2010

Canada – November marks an important month in the hearts of Tamils all around the world. It is in this month that our first liberation fighter, Lieutenant Shankar, sacrificed his young life for the freedom of our homeland and our people. Since his ultimate sacrifice, many more thousands of martyrs have given their lives for the emancipation of Tamileelam. The month of November is a tribute to these martyrs, and their immense sacrifice in the ongoing fight to ensure that the Tamils live in peace, dignity and honour in Tamileelam.

Every inch of our precious Tamileelam is shaped by the footprints of these great heroes. It is our heroes who awakened the spirit of our nation in all of us. It is their supreme and immeasurable sacrifice that has enabled Tamils to stand proudly, even in the face of unparalleled challenges and difficulties. It is their selfless sacrifice that has been embedded in the pages of our national history. The month of November also serves as a reminder that Tamils and allies around the world will continue to undertake the just principles that our heroes so dearly fought for.

TYO calls on the Tamil Canadian youth, and the broader community to mark the month of November as a month for remembering, commemorating and reflecting on the thousands of heroes who sacrificed their lives so that our nation is free from the chains of oppression. The involvement and participation of the community, especially the Tamil youth, around events organized during November 2010 is a valuable illustration of our dedication and respect for our martyrs. TYO kindly reminds the youth and the community to withhold from organizing and participating in events not associated with our martyrsas a symbol of respect for their sacrifice. Furthermore, TYO urges the community to honour our martyrs in their homes, business premises, educational institutions and other significant places.

Let us take this month to bow our heads for our fallen heroes and recommit and rededicate ourselves for the liberation of our motherland. Our freedom fighters have not only sacrificed their lives, but more importantly their dreams, ambitions, and their youth. Let us all stand united, and work towards making the dreams of our heroes a reality.

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Karthigai Poo Commemorative Pins

Tamils to commemorate and honour fallen heroes by pinning a Karthigai Poo to their hearts.

November 8th 2010

Toronto - The Karthigai Poo pin modeled after the Gloriosa Lily (Botanical name - Liliaceae Glory lily), the national flower of Tamileelam has been released by the Tamil Youth Organization to symbolize and mark the month of November. The month of November is a tribute to our martyrs, and their immense sacrifice in the ongoing fight to ensure that the Tamils live in peace, dignity and honour in Tamileelam.

The Tamil community, now spread across the globe, is marking the month of November as a month of remembrance and commemoration. The Karthigai Poo pins symbolizes the sacrifices of our fallen heroes and by wearing the pins close to our hearts, Tamils seeks to remember over 30,000 of our martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for Tamileelam.

Tamil Youth at various universities, colleges and high schools in Canada have included the release of this flower as part of their celebrations and are seen wearing them at their institutions throughout the month. Furthermore, the Karthigai Poo pins could be found in local business establishments, temples and other significant locations.

“Remembrance Day is a pious occasion and I am pleased that the Tamil Youth Organization (TYO) in Canada has made this available to us. As a Canadian, I now have two flowers I can wear - the poppy flower and the Lily flower. They are both emotionally powerful to me as they both honour our men and women who have sacrificed their lives for the betterment of other people’s future” said Keerthana Pathmanathan, a student at University of Toronto – Mississauga Campus.

“Karthigai Poo” was designated as the Tamileelam National flower by the Tamileelam administration during the Great Heroes Remembrance Week in November 2003. They had also requested the residents to wear the national flower on all occasions of national significance. They had also urged everyone to grow the Karthigai vine in private homes, public places, business premises, educational institutions and other places in Tamileelam.


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Tamil Students Associations mark November as month of remembrance and commemoration

Canada – November marks an important month in the hearts and minds of Tamils across the globe. It is during this month that the first martyr, Lieutenant Shankar, sacrificed his life for the freedom of our people and for the establishment of an independent homeland for Tamils, Tamileelam. Since the martyrdom of Lieutenant Shankar, thousands and thousands of our heroes have sacrificed their lives so that our Nation could be free from the chains of oppression. Thus, Tamil Heroes Day (Maveerar Naal) is a day of remembrance and uprising, which encompasses the vast history, Tamileelam was built upon. It is a day to show gratitude for the brave heroes who have made it possible for us to continue walking on this journey towards equality, freedom, and peace. Therefore, November is an important month on the calendar of Tamils.

Tamil Students’ Associations (TSAs) have dedicated the month of November as a month of purity and remembrance. During this month the TSAs will bestow their creative abilities and ideas into a full-fledged campaign that will help educate not only the Tamil community but also the non-Tamil community about our rich history, identity, traditions and the immense sacrifices of our fallen heroes. During this month, TSAs will coordinate various campaigns, events and initiatives that seek to protect and promote Tamil Identity on their respective campuses. The National symbols of Tamileelam, which were created by the sacrifices of our martyrs, will be central to all activities undertaken by TSAs during the month of November.

The month of November is dedicated solely to remembering, commemorating and reflecting on the sacrifices of our fallen heroes. Therefore, we kindly ask all students, youth and community members to withhold from organizing and participating in events not associated with our martyrs as a symbol of respect for their sacrifice. Furthermore, we urge all Tamil students to actively participate in all events organized on campuses by respective TSAs. All TSAs will unite to achieve a common goal which is to pay homage to the heroes that sacrificed their lives so that we as Tamils could have a better life. Our heroes gave their lives, so that our people could once again live in peace and harmony in our homeland. Let us join hands and continue to fight for the freedom of our people and make our martyrs dreams a reality.

In Solidarity,

Durham College/University of Ontario Institute of Technology Tamil Students AssociationGuelph Humber University Tamil Students AssociationMcMaster University Tamil Students AssociationRyerson University Tamil Students AssociationUniversity of Toronto Mississauga Tamil Students AssociationUniversity of Toronto Scarborough Tamil Students AssociationUniversity of Toronto St. George Tamil Students AssociationWaterloo University Tamil Students AssociationYork University Tamil Students Association

TSA - Press Release


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Tamileelam Women’s Uprising

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Prior to 1987, strict roles and ways had been imposed on Tamil women by Society. Within Tamil society, women were regarded as the bearers of culture and were primarily responsible for doing household chores and taking care of their family. Women were never allowed to be independent; they grew up under strict control and supervision of their parents until marriage, and then the parent’s roles were taken over by their husbands. Society rigorously maintained the image of women as sacred bearers of family and community, utilizing females as symbolic markers to measure purity and respect. For this reason, they were generally excluded from the political process and other rights and freedoms.

In mid 1980s, Tamil women had been increasingly facing violent experiences or some form injustice at the hands of the Sri Lankan Army and Indian Army. This prompted women to join the LTTE’s armed struggle for independence. In 1985, the various women militant cells were formed into a composite whole - the women army division of the LTTE. For the first time in contemporary Tamil history, Tamil women obtained martial training and formed a revolutionary fighting unit. In a bid to raise consciousness among women about the national liberation struggle and female oppression, a journal called “Suthanthirap Paravaikal” (“Freedom Birds”) was published. The first issue was in December 1984. Soon, that name became a synonym for the women unit. The “Freedom Birds” integrated and co-ordinated activity with women organisations, trade unions, training centres, health centres, and primary education centres.

At the same time women fighters engaged themselves in direct combat against the Sri Lankan army in Mannar and Vavuniya.

Despite tremendous effort by “Freedom Birds”, the number of women fighters was relatively low mainly due the society’s perception of women as soft natured. However, this would change after a historical incident. The moment to break all the societal barriers and enter into new phase arrived on October 10, 1987. On this day, 2nd Lt.Malathi, first women casualty of LTTE, martyred in a battle against Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF). Following her death, emotions were running high and the number of women joining LTTE increased drastically. Women were active combatants in many battles against Indian Army, and also they spearheaded several camp attacks.

Although most women initially joined the LTTE to find respite from suffocating physical insecurity, their involvement in the armed movement had unintended, yet profound, cultural and social consequences. Many women joined LTTE to fight for the liberation of both their ethnic community and also their subservient position in Tamil society. The LTTE also explicitly committed itself to gender equality and women’s empowerment. Female cadres performed all tasks of their male counterparts. The LTTE even established male and female artillery divisions, which was long considered impossible for women to handle due to their weight. Some female cadres remarked with pride that they surpassed male cadres in certain areas of fighting, such as sharp shooting.

The 11th of October is celebrated as Tamileelam Women’s Day, which marks the anniversary of the first female cadre battle casualty in 1987. On International Women’s Day in 1992, the National Leader of Tamileelam, Honourable Vellupillai Pirapaharan stated: “With pride I can say that the origin, the development and the rise of women’s military wing of the Liberation Tigers is one of the greatest accomplishments of our movement. This marks a revolutionary turning point in the history of the liberation struggle of the women of Tamileelam.”


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Ernesto `Che` Guevara

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“The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall.”- Che Guevara

On October 9th 1967, socialist revolutionary and guerilla leader Che Guevara, age 39, is killed by the Bolivian army. The U.S.-military-backed Bolivian forces captured Guevara on October 8 while battling his band of guerillas in Bolivia and assassinated him the following day. His hands were cut off as proof of death and his body was buried in an unmarked grave. In 1997, Guevara’s remains were found and sent back to Cuba, where they were reburied in a ceremony attended by President Fidel Castro and thousands of Cubans.

Ernesto Rafael Guevara de la Serna was born to a well-off family in Argentina in 1928. While studying medicine at the University of Buenos Aires, he took time off to travel around South America on a motorcycle; during this time, he witnessed the poverty and oppression of the lower classes. He received a medical degree in 1953 and continued his travels around Latin America, becoming involved with left-wing organizations. In the mid 1950s, Guevara met up with Fidel Castro and his group of exiled revolutionaries in Mexico. Guevara

played a key role in Castro’s seizure of power from Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959 and later served as Castro’s right-hand man and minister of industry. Guevara strongly opposed U.S. domination in Latin America and advocated peasant-based revolutions to combat social injustice in Third World countries. Castro later described him as “an artist of revolutionary warfare.”

Guevara resigned from his Cuban government post in April 1965, seeking to free other countries under the chains of oppression reinforced by colonialism and impearlism. Guevara then disappeared from Cuba, traveled to Africa and eventually resurfaced in Bolivia, where he was executed. Following his death, Guevara achieved hero status among people around the world as a symbol of anti-imperialism and revolution. A 1960 photo taken by Alberto Korda of Guevara in a beret became iconic and has since appeared on countless posters and T-shirts.


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UTSC CIBC - Run for the Cure

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On October 2nd, The University of Toronto – Scarborough Campus participated in the annual CIBC Run for the Cure to raise awareness and money for fighting breast cancer. The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure is Canada’s largest single day, volunteer-led fundraising event dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research, and education and awareness programs.

Each year, thousands of Canadians of all ages and from all walks of life unite to participate in the Run. Their reasons for participating vary, but they all have the same goal; to create a future without breast cancer. This year, 33 million dollars were raised during this event.

– UTSC TSA


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The executive council and the board of directors of University of Toronto – Scarborough Campus Tamil Students Association (UTSC TSA) announced new membership cards and T-shirts for the academic year of 2010. UTSC TSA believes in the perseverance of Tamil language, culture, and history, all of which make up Tamil identity. The importance of Tamil identity was reflected through the actions of the University of Toronto – Scarborough Campus Tamil Students Association. The membership card featured the national symbols of Tamileelam and a quote from the National Leader of Tamileelam, Honourable Vellupillai Pirapaharan.

“The pillars which bear the superstructure of our nation are education, language, culture and land.” – National Leader of Tamileelam

– UTSC TSA

UTSC - Membership Cards


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WA TSA - Project Exposed

On October 14th, the Waterloo Tamil Students Association (WaTSA) arranged a presentation on the plight of Tamils to a Peace and Conflict Studies class at the University of Waterloo. Approximately 150 students were enrolled in the course and the presentation gave the opportunity to engage with the broader mainstream community on the issues facing Tamils in their homeland. The initiate called “Project Exposed” will be undertaken in other classrooms in the University of Waterloo in the coming year.

– WA TSA


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Tamileelam Women Uprising Day 2010

The uprising event was organized by the Tamil Womens Organization (TWO) on October 17, 2010 at Sri Ayappan Temple Hall. The event was in remembrance of our female freedom fighters who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom of Tamileelam.

In remembering these heroic females the event also featured an audio CD release. Our female martyrs represented pride and dignity for the land of Tamileelam.

Their sacrifices and the true patriotism depict their true nature and characteristics. Our heroic females followed their heart and wisdom and struggled till their last breath. These exemplifying females’ actions liberated women’s rights in Tamileelam. Females of Tamileelam played a pivotal role in the freedom struggle and have embedded the seeds among our mother land.

– TWO


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Saraswathy Pooja

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On October 15th, the University of Toronto – Scarborough Campus Tamil Students Association (UTSC TSA) held the annual Saraswathy Pooja. The Saraswathy Pooja which was held on campus was successful and attended by many students on campus. UTSC TSA organized the event to showcase the importance of holding such events.

– UTSC TSA

On October 15th, the University of Toronto – Mississauga Campus Tamil Students Association (UTM TSA) held the annual Saraswathy Pooja.

– UTM TSA

On October 18th, Ryerson Tamil Students Association held its annual Saraswathy Pooja.

– RYE TSA

On October 18th, the York University Tamil Students Association (YUTSA) held the

annual Saraswathy Pooja.– YU TSA


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TYO Tree Planting

TYO-Peel Chapter organized a Tree Planting Event ‘In Remembering Operation Ellalan & Brigadier S. P. Thamilchelvan’ on Saturday, October 30, 2010. Members of TYO from different chapters also participated in this event. The tree planting event was done in partnership with Evergreen - Malton Greenway in Mississauga.

– TYO Canada


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The Origins of Twitter

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When cofounder Biz Stone saw the application that Jack Dorsey created in 2006 he was reminded of the way birds communicate: “Short bursts of information...Everyone is chirping, having a good time.” In response, Stone came up with ‘twttr’, and the group eventually added some vowels.

It’s hard to think of a more evocative name in the tech world than twitter, but what began as what Stone described as “trivial” bursts of communication developed into a powerful means of networking, breaking news, and forum for the 44th US president’s campaign.

In short, Twitter is a micro-blogging social network service which allows users to share not-so-important things in their life by answering a simple question: “What are you doing?” Answers to this question are organized in short messages called Tweets; length is limited to 140 characters. The good thing about Twitter, there is no “noise” created by boring people since “friendships” are not mutual - you can “follow” interesting people while they don’t have to follow you. In February 2009,

Twitter had a monthly growth (of users) of over 1300 percent - several times more than Facebook. Twitter made huge success from the mobile device users (in 2009 there was 735,000 unique mobile visitors).

Other interesting facts:

• There are more than 106 million accounts on Twitter

• Twitter gets more than 3 billion requests each day generated by over 180 Million unique visitors

• Twitter users are sending more than 55 million Tweets per day

• Thursday and Friday are the most active days on Twitter each accounting for 16% total Tweets

• Top Five Twitter using countries in order: United States, India, Japan, Germany and United Kingdom

• Top 3 languages on Twitter: English (61%), Portuguese (11%) and Japanese (6%)

• Thousands of developers have created more than 70,000 applications using Twitter API

• Twitter has only 175 employees


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Youth Reflection

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Who kept the faith and fought the fight; The glory theirs, the duty ours.

- Wallace Bruce

People say that when you want something more than you’ve ever wanted anything; you’ve got to be willing to give up everything to get it. This does not necessarily mean that you will be giving up everything, but it surely means that you’re willing to.

Maaveerar Naal is held on every November 27th. On this Remembrance Day, Tamil people all over the world remember and commemorate the Tamil freedom fighters that lost their lives in the fight for an independent Tamil nation. It is a day that we dedicate to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives in an attempt to end Tamil oppression in Srilanka.

The LTTE freedom fighters wanted this more than anything they’ve ever wanted. They were willing to, and did, give up everything for this cause. They gave up their youth, their families, their futures, and ultimately, their lives – for one common aspiration. They wanted to stop the mistreatment of their beloved Tamil people. Their plight, speaks a thousand words. The amount of strength and sense of purpose that they must have had is staggering. Within each and every one of them, was the thought of millions of us having the right to live, freely and happily.

They sacrificed their lives, so that we could live ours.

As Tamil youth in Canada and around the world, it is our duty to remember these fallen heroes. On November 27th, every single one of us must unite to praise and mourn our brave Tamil brothers and sisters. On this day, Tamil people must come together and find refuge in one another. While this day surely brings us some grief, it also uplifts us with hope and determination. It is our responsibility to acknowledge our Tamil struggle and to never forget those who have made a difference along the way. These heroes will remain to live on, so long as we remember them.

– Tharch.V


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All the Uniersity Tamil Students’ Associations in Canada have declared the first two weeks of November as Tamil Identity Awareness week and Maveerar Naal Awareness week, respectively. The first half of the month will be serve as a platform to educate students on campus about Tamil Eelam’s flag, symbols and about Tamil Eelam’s righteous heroes.

Following the Tamil Identity Awareness and Maveerar Naal Awareness weeks, each Tamil Students’ Association will be conducting Maveerar Naal on their respective campuses. The larger Tamil community is cordially invited to attend campus Maveerar Naals. The dates are as follows:

November 12, 2010 – University of Toronto at Mississauga TSA

November 16, 2010 – University of Oshawa Institute of Technology TSA

November 17, 2010 – Guelph-Humber TSA

November 18, 2010 – University of Toronto-St. George TSA

November 19, 2010 – University of Toronto Scarborough Campus TSA

November 21, 2010 - North York High School TSAs

November 23, 2010 – York University TSA

November 23, 2010 – Ryerson University TSA

November 23, 2010 – McMaster University TSA

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Join TYOOur doors are always open to new members that are looking to make a difference for Tamils around the world.

As an organization with the interests of Tamil youth at heart, TYO provides opportunities for Canadian Tamil youth to network, contribute, and develop their skills in various areas as well.

Interested in getting involved?

Please contact us at [email protected] visit us at www.canadatyo.org

Speak OutAs Tamil youth in Canada, we have the ultimate duty of educating others, as well as ourselves of the suffering of the Tamil people. Understanding is crucial. And with understanding comes awareness, the most essential step in the path to progress.

Ignorance is not a bliss.

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•Writeapoem,articles,essay

•Research,understandandrecite

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Reach Designer - Shiyamdev.SReach Editor - Arul.M


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Guidelines:o All submissions must be in English

o You may create your own title for your work

o Written work should be within 750 words (or 2 pages letter sized), 12 pt font (Times)

o Can be written in any form (article, research essay, poem, story, etc.)

o Include your name, contact info, and University/ College/ High School (If applicable)

o Submit before NOVEMBER 25th, 2010

o Must be e-mailed to [email protected] with the subject ‘Reach-NOVEMBER 2010’

o Please attach a word file or copy and paste your work in your e-mail

For our next month’s issue:

Submit your written work based on

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Don’t forget to add [email protected] to your e-mail safe list.

We appreciate all of your time and effort.

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29 October 2010 REACH

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