Vanakkam,

Ottawa is home to thousands of Tamils who work, study and contribute towards the richness of our great city. The Tamil community in Ottawa has grown over the past decades and currently includes a great number of entrepreneurs, professionals and a large contingent of students attending local schools, colleges and universities. We, the members of the Tamil community feel it is important for us to showcase and share the richness of the Tamil culture and heritage to fellow Canadians. The National Capital Region Tamil Association (NCRTA) and undersigned organizations, would like to declare January as Tamil Heritage month. We have also requested the city of Ottawa to proclaim the month of January as Tamil Heritage month.

The month of January is important to Tamils for several reasons. The first month of the Tamil calendar falls in the middle of January. This coincides with "Thai Pongal" which is our equivalent of Thanksgiving.

Several events are planned by the Tamil community during January this year. This includes the Talent Show organized by the Ottawa Tamil Sangam on Sunday, January 13 and the Pongal Celebration organized by the Ottawa Thamizh Cultural Association on Sunday, January 27. In addition, the Tamil schools in Ottawa will have lessons explaining how Thai Pongal is important to Tamils world over.

All the undersigned organizations request that you take the time to attend the events organized by the various associations this month. Please take the time to engage fellow Canadians and explain to them about Tamil culture, customs, values and the significance of January.

Yours truly,

Kandiah Jeyapalasingham
President, NCRTA (www.ncrta.ca)

on behalf of