British Tamils

www.abplgroup.com

Cover-1Final_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 18:52 Page 1

March 2011

Tamil Diaspora in the UK - Sithiravelu Karunandarajah

British Tamil Festivals - Dr Seethadevi Mahadeva

Racing ahead with confidence

Politics of British Tamils - T Jeyabalan

Newham: The house for Tamils - Cllr paul Sathianesan

Tamil: A Classical Language - Sithiravelu Karunandarajah

Hindu Temples for British Tamils ÂŁ2.75

A true symbol of reconciliation - Dr Premen Addy Subaskaran Allirajah, Chairman of International mobile telecoms provider Lycatel

LycaMobile_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 18:38 Page 1

CB Message_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 17:35 Page 3

British Tamils- Best is yet to come resent day migration is caused by variety of factors, from war and oppression to economic opportunity. Sri Lanka is one such country from where people have migrated both for reasons of violence and the search for a better life. Sri Lankan Tamils are a community straddles both categories. Many have left their homeland because of civil strife; their presence in the United Kingdom is also driven by the desire to make use of the opportunities that Britain provides for all who reside within its shores. In the past 3 decades and more the Tamil community has been seen to its best advantage. They have shown remarkable resilience and the capacity to move on. Their entrepreneurial spirit has earned them a niche in business, professions and in every activity which is rewarding.

P

The violence and bloodshed in Sri Lanka took a decisive turn in 1983 with the assault on the Tamil community by Sinhalese mobs incited by short sighted unscrupulous politicians driven by lust for power. Tamils have suffered from their diminishing civil liberties and ethnic discrimination. The Colombo government to date has failed to respond adequately to the criticisms emanating from the UN as well as international communities on post war measures to heal the communal rift within the country.

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar have had a long and fruitful association with the UK's Tamil community. We hope that this association can be deepened and made more fruitful in future years.

The British Tamil community is a source of strength to the entire country- for they bring with them special gifts of an obedience and respect to the Rule of Law and tolerance towards others. Apart from this they have been unique in the way they have taken advantage of the opportunities available to them in the UK. Just as East African Asians suffered trauma and escaped for the refuge in Britain as immigrants but since their arrival have blended so splendidly into mainstream society. British Tamils have shown every indication of following the same route to prosperity and acceptance. I have no doubt that British Tamils are an asset to the country which has sheltered them and this should become clearer in the years ahead.

This special issue in its small way is a tribute to the British Tamils in their initial phase of settlement. I am grateful to Baroness Flather for her help and inspiration in this project. Nikhil has been a capable team leader in this as well. Best wishes for a brilliant future ahead.

My warm felicitations to you all.

C B Patel Publisher/Editor

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

3

Messages_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 17:49 Page 4

Tribute to the British Tamils I want to welcome everyone to the launch of the new magazine for the Tamil community. I hope this will provide opportunities for exchanges which are important as well as enjoyable - another way of keeping in touch with your culture and with each other. I very much hope that you will find it useful as well as interesting and that it proves to be a great success.

Baroness Shreela Flather (Baroness Shreela Flather, is the senior most Asian peer in the House of Lords and was appointed in1990. She was the first Asian woman to receive a peerage. Amongst her many achievements, the Memorial Gates on Constitution Hill in London, UK, is one of the most well known. These Gates have been erected as a lasting memorial to honour the Indian and Commonwealth soldiers who volunteered to serve with the Armed Forces during the First and Second World Wars).

I have been the Member of Parliament for East Ham for sixteen years, and lived in the area for over thirty years. My first neighbours in Manor Park in 1978 were from the Tamil community, and I am proud that the area has become home to so many Tamil families since - including many fleeing violence back home. As MP I have enjoyed working closely with the Tamil community. I have been impressed by the remarkable contribution, not only to Newham, but to East London as a whole.

When I came to Newham, High Street North in Manor Park was a drab and declining shopping street. Now it is home to a large number of Tamilowned businesses and individual Tamil entrepreneurs. It is lively and colourful, and is seen by many as the heart of the diaspora community in Europe.

I am delighted to join everyone in paying a warm tribute to British Tamils this evening.

With all best wishes, Stephen Timms, MP East Ham

4

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

Rubys Catering_A4 Temp 25/02/2011 17:26 Page 1

Tamil Diaspora_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 18:58 Page 6

Tamil Diaspora in the UK ■ Sithiravelu Karunanandarajah he emigration of Tamils started in pre historic period from their then kingdoms, Tamil Nadu of India and Eelam of Sri Lanka. The early settlers in foreign lands have mixed up with many ethnicities and lost their identities.

Currently, the Tamil Diaspora is referred to the people of Tamil Nadu and Ealam who have recently settled outside their home lands. Tamil denotes either the language Tamil or a person from the nation of Tamil.

The nation Tamil originated in parallel from both side of Palk Strait of Bay of Bengal that is in between the Sri Lanka and India. Only twenty miles of sea distance divides the main land India from Island Sri Lanka.

The India and Sri Lanka were under British rule for about 20 decades. In the beginning of 16th century first Portuguese and English invaders came into Indian territories and around 1775 British colonialism started to infiltrate India. Since then Tamils from Tamil Nadu and Eelam started to migrate to the UK and British colonies such as South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, Fiji etc. Some people moved to France as well because, Pondicherry was the French Colony at that time. Most of the Tamils of Tamil Nadu migrated to those colonies especially to find employment which was most probably very lower rank labour jobs. They were called as indentured coolies. Some Eelam Tamils were also hired by the British Government for white collar jobs such as clerical servants to work in Malaysia and Singapore region.

However, the migration of Tamils was along with the other ethnic groups of colonised countries and was not very intensive until

T

Sithiravelu Karunanandarajah

Sithiravelu Karunanandara jah worked as the Co-ordinator for the Tamil Refugee Action Group in the UK since 2002 – 2007.

An Author, poet and a columnist for a leading Tamil fortnightly in London, he obtained Literature Award for the book “Interpretative thesis on Bharathi’s Song of the cuckoo bird”, in Tamil Nadu by the Sri Ram Organisations of India.

8

6

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

1985.

An influx of emigration of Tamils into the UK took place only after ethnic cleansing operations enforced against Eelam Tamils in Sri Lanka, in 1985. The UK, West Europe, Canada, Australia and India are the countries realised the situation and received the refugees of Eelam Tamils from Sri Lanka. Now, among the entire Tamil Diaspora of the UK, Eelam Tamils are the majority which comprises of more than ninety percent. Based on Human Rights Watch reports, it has been estimated that there are about 130,000 Tamils living in Britain. About half of them living within M25 limits. The rest of the people have scattered in Liverpool and Mid Land areas.

The report further says that, out of the said total; about 120,000 are Sri Lankan Tamils.

In a sociological approach, the Tamil Diaspora of UK could be categorised into three distinct groups. A well established group settled in the main stream of UK society is the first group which consists of educated and economically well off Tamils.

Many of them in this group are Doctors, University lecturers, Lawyers, Business men and so on. Many others in this sector have secured their white collar jobs.

Colombo, Sri Lanka The second category of people, are the youths and middle aged group of people specially from Sri Lanka who are less educated and traumatised by their experiences from the warzones. They are not well settled in the main stream and remain a bit

Tamil Diaspora_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 18:59 Page 7

tions, 75 builders, 100s of doctors, 100s of engineers and IT personnel, Accountants, writers, poets and many others are the current assets of Tamil Diaspora of the UK. As an expatriate society, Tamil Diaspora is comparatively doing very well in the UK and progressing towards to attain a status of a wellbeing society in the near future.

British

tangential to the British society. They migrated to the UK only after 1985.

The Third type is the second and third generations of Tamil Diaspora already settled in the UK. These young people are educated or currently in the Universities or High schools and well acclimatised to the UKs social diversity.

There are two information Directories published yearly by the Tamils of the UK, named Tamil Pages (www.tamilpages.org) and Murasam (www.murasam.com). Almost all the organisations managed by Tamils in the UK are recorded in those directories including details of individuals who are specialised in their specific fields.

Nearly Ninety Tamil based solicitor firms are operating in Britain in which the main partners are from the Tamil Diaspora. Most of the Diaspora solicitors were focussing on Immigration and asylum issues. Due to the stringent measure taken by the UK government against asylum applications and the consequent decline of client numbers, these firms are now shifting their concentration on other legal areas of practice.

In addition to the solicitor firms there are more than fifteen Tamil community organisations delivering their services especially for the community people who are struggling to infuse themselves in the UK main stream society.

About 400 grocers, 100 restaurants, 20 religious organisations, 17 TV & Radio broad casting organisa-

Editorial Board * Sithiravelu Karunandarajah * Dr Seethadevi Mahadeva * T Jeyabalan * Cllr Paul Sathianesan * Maheswaran Marisamy * Dr Premen Addy

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

7

Language_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 15:42 Page 8

Tamil: A Classical Language ■ Sithiravelu Karunanandarajah amil has been declared as the classical language, by the Indian Government. This status is equivalent to the other languages such as Sanskrit, Latin, Hebrew, Chinese, Greek, Armenian, Persian etc. Because of its literature values and ancient heritage the Language Tamil has been categorised within such group. Many classical languages are dead or have evolved to their present form but, Tamil still alive with its ancient purity. It means that the literature of Tamil is still based on the era of Tamil Sangam which was established by the scholars of prehistoric period. There are many literatures written by these ancient scholars and are even now studied and referred by present Tamil Scholars. In other word, these literatures are taught from primary schools to universities.

It is believed by the idealists that the Language Tamil was created by Lord Shiva and the grammar was written by Agasthiyar, an ancient saint.

Agasthiyar’s book on Tamil grammar called Agasthiyam which is not available but its then existence has been mentioned in many ancient Tamil literatures. Now the grammar of Tamil solely based on the book called Tolkappium, said to be written before Christian era by a person called by his pseudonym Tholkappiar. This author is said to be the disciple of Agasthiyar. Like Paniniyam written by Panini for Sanskrit grammar Tholkapiam is the book for Tamil grammar.

Tholkapiam not only describes the grammar rules but also demarcates the style, patterns and the way of Tamil literature should be created based on the then social set up of Tamils.

The grammar of a language and its literature styles could have only been described long after that language has formed and its ancient literatures created. In that sense, It is assumed that the language Tamil and its ancient literatures existed with its well developed form very long time ago, which could not be assessed with the presently available palaeographic knowledge.

Thiirukkural is the bible of Tamils which was written by a saint called Thiruvalluvar. This book does not inclined towards any particular religion but spiritually accepts the god. The book has been translated into many languages because it is a moral treatise, explains the ethical code of conduct in the life of an individual, family, society,

T

Sithiravelu Karunanandarajah

Sithiravelu Karunanandara jah worked as the Co-ordinator for the Tamil Refugee Action Group in the UK since 2002 – 2007.

An Author, poet and a columnist for a leading Tamil fortnightly in London, he obtained Literature Award for the book “Interpretative thesis on Bharathi’s Song of the cuckoo bird”, in Tamil Nadu by the Sri Ram Organisations of India.

8 8

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

king and the kingdom including world. There many literature treasures also available in Tamil. Ramayan, Mahabharat and many other myths have been written by ancient poets.

The nation Tamil comprises of many religions and faiths. Predominantly, Hinduism is the religion of Tamils. Christianity and Islam are the other main religions. However, Buddhism and Jainism were popular in Tamil Nadu and Eelam during the rise of these religions in India and East.

The language Tamil has many literatures written

by Buddhist and Jain monks.

Five of these literatures are praised to be the ornaments of mother Tamil.

The language Tamil is personified as a maid mother and it is believed that she should also be worshiped because her father is Lord Shiva. She is believed to be in the form of Nadha Bramma, which means goddess of sound.

Like Bhoodha Devi (Goddess of five basic elements - Land, Water, Fire, Air and Sky) Bharat Mata is respected by the Indians, Nadha Devi Tamil Mata is respected by the Tamils.

The language Tamil was nourished through its literatures written by ancient scholars who were poets and wise men. The association Tamil Sangam was formed long before the Christian era in which Tamil authors submitted their creations for approval to be released among the public. It is believed that there were three such sangams existed in different periods of ancient history. The literatures written during first sangam are not available at present. The literatures of second and third sangams are available. However, many creations have disappeared. Tsunami was the deadly enemy for the Tamil language and the people. Ancient Tamil literatures say that there was a land called Kummarikkanndam in the south of Kanyakumari, a coastal town of Tamil Nadu, which is the tip of India in the Indian Ocean. They also states that many towns and countries or kingdoms in this continent has disappeared and the sea has occupied those lands. Many of the Tamil literatures, written during first and second sangams were destroyed by continuous Tsunami attacks to the coastal towns of Tamil Nadu. But still, the language Tamil is treasured with its remaining literature assets.

Best N Price2010_A4 Temp 25/02/2011 11:06 Page 1

Wishing Tamil Community A Great Success

Politics_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 15:43 Page 10

Politics of British Tamils – A Historical Perspective ■ T Jeyabalan, Editor, ThesamNet & London Kural amils of Sri Lankan origin settled in Britain along with Tamils of other nationalities such as Indian Tamils, Malaysian Tamils and Singaporean Tamils.

But Sri Lankan Tamils were predominant in playing a role in British Tamil politics. Primarily because of the political situation of Tamils in Sri Lanka which caused them to migrate and seek T Jeyabalan refuge in Britain in larger numbers.

The imposition of the Sinhala Only Act, along with the standardisation for entrance to university for Tamil students and multiple ethnic riots by Sinhala State against Tamils, forced Tamils to seek their future abroad. This was also one of the factors that Tamils are more politically active in Britain.

At the inception of life in Britain, Tamils had no ambition, neither the strength of numbers to enter the mainstream politics of Britain. But, gradually we witnessed the advancement and growth of Tamil aspirations that made the British public aware of Sri Lankan oppression of Tamils. ‘The Campaign for Release of Political Prisoners in Sri Lanka’ was the first organisation formed in the late 1970s by concerned Tamil individuals among others including Mr P. Rajanayagam, Mr M. Sooriyasegaram, and Dr Arumugam, and the late Mr Upali Cooray of the Sinhala community in the UK. This organisation was renamed appropriately as ‘Sri Lanka Solidarity Campaign’ which canvassed against the political oppression underlying the 1983 riots which led to the mass exodus of Tamils from the South of Sri Lanka to their ancestral homes in the North and East of Sri Lanka and the fostering of Tamil sentiment leading to Tamil nationalism.

Nationalist Tamil sentiment was also inflamed by individuals living abroad, particularly in Britain.

Eliyathamby Ratnasabapathy- the patron of Eelam Revolutionary Organisation of Students (EROS), Shankar Rajee also from EROS, Anton Balasingam- Theoretician of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Maha Uthaman- Theoretician of People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) and Theepori were the prime influencing figures from Britain. Sadly, they are no longer amongst us.

Early migration of wealthy Tamils to Britain was for furthering their education and for their professional advancement in the light of Sri Lanka’s official language policy which made it difficult for them to rise in their chosen professions. After the 1983 riots this pattern completely altered. The next wave of migration was of

T

10

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

middle class Tamils who sought asylum for political reasons. The number of migrants further swelled from tens to thousands in line with the political situation in Sri Lanka.

British policy on immigration was influenced to a large measure in order to correspond to the in-flow of Tamils in to the UK. For the first time in British immigration history visa restrictions were imposed on a Commonwealth Country, namely Sri Lanka. From 1990 onwards restrictions were further tightened and enforced. These regulations were challenged in the High Court as unsafe and unsound and the judgments were of benefit not only to Tamils but to all oppressed communities around the world.

The political history of Tamils in Britain is in its infancy, only a quarter century old. Tamil participation in the British political scene is since 1980s, and has been restricted largely to local councils. The earliest Tamil Councilor was Cllr Sinnamani of LB Lewisham from the Labour Party. He was later chosen Mayor of Lewisham, the first Tamil Mayor. Fifty Tamil candidates contested at the 2010 Local Council elections and 13 were successfully elected. Other than Cllr Michael Selvanayakam of Tamil Nadu origin, all Councilors are of Sri Lankan Tamil origin.

Population of Tamils living in the Boroughs of London is over 200,000 - a number making them reasonably powerful to elect up to 50 Tamil Councilors.

There are no known objections to fielding Tamil candidates capable of being elected to the House of Common as Members of Parliament. For marginal seats in London, Tamils may be a deciding factor as there is also a growing relationship between Tamils and their present elected representatives supporting justice and fair play for the community. The future for Tamil representation in the House of Commons lies in securing support from other communities with common interests and values.

There is every likelihood of a Tamil being nominated as a Peer and sitting in the House of Lords.

The early migrant Tamils of Sri Lanka were the first generation who have laid a strong foundation for political engagement in Britain within a short period of 25 years. This milestone is being carried forward by the second generation of Tamils born and bred in this country who have a natural affinity and birth right in Britain.

Unlike their predecessors who served in engineering and civil service, medicine, legal and accounting professions, first in Sri Lanka and later in Britain; the second generation of Tamils hope to take the community further and reach new milestones by participating in all possible areas of British society but with a huge focus on higher representation in politics.

Politics_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 15:44 Page 11

British Tamils in Local Government Councillor Paul Sathianesan (Labour) Councillor Paul Sathianesan arrived as a refugee in May 1985 and has gone a long way since then. He is one of the most politically active Tamils in the UK and has won local council elections four times with the highest votes among all the Councillors. He was the first Tamil appointed by the British Refugee Council to advice and look after the Tamils in the UK and since then he has received great respect from wider community in the UK and Internationally.

He won two national awards "Taking a Stand Award" for crime and anti social behaviour and "Volunteer of the Year". He has also received “Honorary Degree” from University of East London for life long achievement award for contributions he made. UNHCR has recognised him as a positive contributor and person behind the headlines in their web site.

He was invited by then Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Tony Blair to No.10 Downing Street and personally thanked him for his service and contributions to the UK. He had arrived in UK with a small Kodak bag which is now owned by Museum of London as part of their belonging exhibition.

He was appointed by the Home office to the National Integration Policy Forum which was chaired by the Home Office Minister. Paul was the founder of the Tamil Chamber of Commerce in UK, founder member of the Tamil Refugee Housing Association which is now known as Tamil Community Housing; the very first ethnic minority housing association within Europe.

He is the current chair of European Tamil Research and Documentation Centre, European Tamil Chemozhi Sangam, International Tamil Refugee Network and Black Neighbourhood Renewal & Regeneration Network (BNRRN), Board member of YMCA College and involved in many voluntary, community and faith organisations.

Councillor Krishna Suresh (Labour) Councillor Krishna Suresh was born in Point Pedro in the North of Sri Lanka, and moved to the UK in 1983. He graduated as a Bachelor of Arts from Middlesex University and later joined the Labour Party in 1997. He won the London Borough of Harrow council seat for Rayners Lane in May 2010, becoming the first Labour councillor to hold that seat in 30 years. He is currently the Secretary of Harrow Council’s Labour Group, as well as Ethnic Minority Officer and Campaign Officer for Harrow West Labour Party. He is also an executive member of the Harrow Asian Multicultural Association and a member of the Fabian Society.

Councillor Sasikala Suresh (Labour) Sasikala Suresh was born in Neervely in the North of Sri Lanka, and moved to the UK in 1980. Having joined the Labour Party in 1997, she won the London Borough of Harrow council seat of

Headstone South in 2006 and was re- elected in 2010.

She is the Deputy Chief Whip of Harrow Council Labour Group and a member of the Fabian Society. She has been a local activist since 1997 and has also been a fund raiser for various charities including the Sri Lankan Tsunami Fund and the Pakistan Flood Appeal.

Councillor Thavathuray Jeyaranjan (Labour) Councillor Thavathuray Jeyaranjan, popularly known as Jey, has lived in Newbury for 24 years and is the councilor for Newbury ward of Redbridge. An engineering graduate from South Bank University, he has also worked for many years for London Underground. Jey is an active member of the Transport Union and has a passionate interest in transport issues. Jey recently set up a local Neighbourhood Watch, of which he is the co-ordinator, and is a nationally known member of the Tamil community in the UK. Councillor Logie Lohendran (Conservative) Councillor Logie Lohendran immigrated to United Kingdom in 1967 and completed BSc Hons Degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1974, he got employed by London Underground at various capacities and also as a Project Manager for Metronet carrying out various Station refurbishments works. Lohendran took an early retirement in 2006 after 31years service and ventured into Politics. In 2009 February he became a member of the Conservative Party. Later that year, after standing in the Local Election in May 2010, he was elected as the first Tamil Conservative Councillor for Cannon Hill Ward. He has laid high attention on addressing Mental health and Domestic Violence in the Tamil Community.

Some other Tamil Councillors who were elected at the May 2010 Local Council Election: Councillor Kanapathipillai Naheerathan (Labour) – Queensbury, Brent Councillor Mike Selva (Labour) – Broad Green, Croydon Councillor Manoharan Dharmarajah (Labour) – Roxbourne, Harrow Councillor Nizam Alavi Ismail (Labour) – Queensbury, Harrow Councillor Thayapara Idaikkadar (Labour) – Roxeth, Harrow Councillor Kairul Kareema Marikar (Labour) – West Harrow, Harrow Councillor Yoganathan Yogan (Liberal Dem) – St Mark's, Kingston Councillor Eliza Packia Devi Mann (Liberal Dem) Riverside, Southwark

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

11

1-Jaffna_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 16:37 Page 12

A true symbol of reconciliation ■ Dr Premen Addy ertain monuments enshrine the deepest cultural and historical traditions of a people. The British Library and the British Museum in London embody the cultural and intellectual heritage of all Britons, as do Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral. The Jaffna Library in Sri Lanka has been dear to the hearts and minds of the Tamil community, not only in Sri Lanka, but in every corner of the world boasting a Tamil presence. From May 31 to June 2, 1981, the Jaffna Public Library, situated in a part of Sri Lanka where Tamils were (and are) in a majority, was ransacked and burnt by rampaging Sinhalese mobs instigated by Sinhalese politicians lusting for power.

Police and paramiilitaries joined in an antiTamil pogrom that lasted for three whole days. Tamil businesses and temples in Jaffna town were looted and reduced to ashes, Such behaviour, while wicked in the extreme, was also shortsighted as it deepened the widening chasm between Sri Lanka's two major communities.An eyewitness to these gory events, Nancy Murray, related in her journal, published in 1984, that several high ranking uniformed police officers, plainclothes men and cabinet ministers were present but were content to be silent spectators. The cabinet ministers who witnesses the orgy of looting described it as “an unfortunate event , where [a] few policemen got drunk and went on a looting spree all their own.” The torching of the Jaffna Library introduced a new dimension of inter-communal hatred which, despite the honeyed words of the Sri Lankan government, shows little sign of abating Military operations on this

C Dr Premen Addy

The torching of the Jaffna Library introduced a new dimension of intercommunal hatred which, despite the honeyed words of the Sri Lankan government, shows little sign of abating Military operations on this war-torn island may have ceased but it is a sullen peace that reigns today.

war-torn island may have ceased but it is a sullen peace that reigns today. A great country and little minds go ill-together, as that great parliamentarian and political philosopher Edmund Burke remarked memorably over two centuries ago. It is a wisdom that could offer divided Sri Lanka a road to healing. The Jaffna Library was built in many stages, starting in 1933. The Library became a repository of priceless documents, ancient and modern, pertaining to the life of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and in southern India. For Sri Lankan Tamils, in particular, the building came to enjoy an iconic status. Its destruction has left a deep sense of grievance, an injury to the Tamil psyche that has nerver healed, that remains a raw and open wound. The reconstruction of the Tamil-populated Jaffna Peninsula and the rehabilitation of displaced Tamils living in refugee camps must be given urgent priority if an enduring peace is to take hold in Sri Lanka. It is a tragedy that things should have got so seriously out of hand.

The country's governing class ever since its independence from British colonial rule in February 1948 went about reducing Tamil political and cultural rights through salami tactics, which eventually gave way to a full blown civil war. We have a unique opportunity to make new beginning. All Sri Lankans irrespective of ethnicity and religious faith, have suffered horribly from the conflict. It is time to turn swords into ploughshares. A good start would surely be to restore the Jaffna Library to its former glory. It would be a true symbol of reconciliation, an opening of doors to a lasting peace.

8 jaffna library now

12

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

Jaffna library before it was burnt

Keith_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 15:44 Page 13

Providing homes to the Tamils, not houses ■ Kartik.S. Raval oming with a bucket full of dreams and over the years building many dream houses, brick by brick.

That is precisely the story of Glenmore Group’s P. Ketheeswaran and it is far from over.

Ketheeswaran, also known as Keith, in 1985 along with his good friends started Glenmore. They initiated by collecting and dealing in properties in and around London but soon started providing financial services and developing residential houses for the people in the community. It soon expanded its services to residential lettings, property management, relocation, land and new homes. Today Glenmore are the leading estate agent for residential properties in the London areas of Wembley, Gerrards Cross, London and Acton.

However, the journey for Glenmore so far has not been a bed of roses. When recession hit Britain, the property market suffered tremendously. When asked to reveal, how Glenmore managed to avoid adverse effects and keep thriving, Keith said “I believe hard work and honesty always pays off. If you want to survive in cut throat competition and drowning market that is your only chance.”

But he also goes ahead to reveal the tremendous support he has received from the community members, as Glenmore has always maintained a personal relationship with its customer and have always wanted to play a crucial part in the upbringing of the community.

The Tamil community has without a doubt pushed on the gas pedal in the last two decades. However, Keith agrees that there is much more to the community than what is currently known. “There is immense amount of potential within the Tamil community. But many people have not yet realised it.”

For the sole purpose of uniting the Tamil community and taking it to the next level in the larger British society, Keith along with other community members recently started Friends Trust Organisation. There are already more than 400 people who contribute to the community through this sole platform. With the Trust currently in its initial stages, the focus is on education and awareness through creating a Tamil cultural environment so that the young generation that is detached and far away from their roots and origin can still maintain proximity with the traditions and culture.

However, Friends Trust also targets to address the community’s larger issues through this very platform in the coming years.

C

SPECIALIST IN 22OCT GOLD JEWELS, WEDDING RINGS AND THALI

" ! !

SEASON'S BEST IS SUMMER FOR SAREES BEST IS SILK EMPORIUM.

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

13

Anandan Arnold_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 15:45 Page 14

When the heart is Tamil â– Rupanjana Dutta he British Tamils like the other British Asian diaspora have made a remarkable contribution to the 'Big society' of Britain. Whether it is medicine, finance, law or accountancy, the contribution of the British Tamils is way beyond imagination.

Anandan Arnold, FCCA- is one of such stalwarts of the British society. He joined Alan D Kaye & Co. in 1987 and progressed with Alan Kaye in his merger and formation of Beckwith Blake Kaye Chartered Accountants now known as BBK. He qualified whilst at BBK and gained the designatory letters FCCA in 1997.

He has experience in all the departments at BBK including financial planning, auditing, tax planning, corporate consultancy & insolvency. As a dynamic, forward thinking and innovative professional, Arnold focuses mainly on corporate consultancy work. His team comprises a wide array of people from various backgrounds, including English, Jewish, Chinese, Arab, Gujarati, Tamil, Mauritian, Kenyan, Bengali, Punjabi and much more. Anandan thinks the success of his firm depends a lot on friendly and interactive ambience in his office.

Judging by its brilliant turn over level the firm is now one of the top 100 accountancy firm in Britain.

Speaking about BBK, Anandan, a partner at the firm, told Asian Voice, "BBK is a partnership of highly skilled and experienced accountants and auditors.

Since it was first established in 1987, the group has continued to grow in stature. Our friendly, approachable team prides itself on offering proactive and up-to-date advice and information on all aspects of accountancy and taxation.

We also provide a range of business advisory services, from business start-up advice to strategies for developing your existing business. We have a great deal of experience in dealing with businesses from many different sectors, including solicitors, healthcare professionals, property owners, private individuals and small to medium-sized enterprises."

Anandan came to Britain from Jaffna when he was a teenager. It has been a long journey and as a self made man, he has worked very hard to establish himself. While he attended college in the day time he has worked in fast food joints in the evenings. "I could dismantle and assemble a milk shake machine in 15 minutes. I was so fast. The company was so happy with me that they used to provide me with a taxi to go home after midnight." “My brothers and my mother Sugirtham have always been my inspiration. They have contributed so much to me becoming the Anandan I am today."

Talking about family, Anandan added, he is

T

14

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

married to an American Tamil, also a qualified chartered certified accountant, who also originally belonged to Jaffna, like Anandan himself. They have two daughters and one son.

"Education is very important in shaping one's future," added Anandan with a smile. "Education helps one to improve the socio-economic structure.

It is definitely a tool for survival and betterment."

"However that does not mean education is everything in a job. It is important to have a skill set, basic knowledge, aptitude and attitude. The interpersonal skills must be excellent. If you are not hard working, survival will always remain a challenge."

As an optimist, Anandan has always believed changes pose threats as well as opportunities.

When asked about the Coalition government cuts, Anandan said, "Every change in legislation poses threats. But simultaneously there are enough opportunities in them. Everyone must spend some passionate moments for philanthropy and give back to the community, be it funds, knowledge, time or talents.�

Though Anandan has spent his formative years in Britain, he is very closely linked with his community and its prosperity and provides his spare time and skills for free as the Honorary Chairperson of the Tamil Community Housing Association Ltd. He said, "The Association has definitely grown in strength. We have added extra homes, improved our stock, our services and also met decent home standards on all our homes. We have acquired our head office without much help from own reserves. It is a great step towards progress.

However our sector has faced certain challenges with the new government policies. With astute leadership from our knowledgeable board and skilful members of staff, we have adopted good practices as suggested by our regulators.

Despite the change in the government, the economic reverses, trauma of losing family members due to events in native lands- we have collectively resolved, preserved and prospered as a community in Britain."

An avid cricket fan, Anandan has been associated with cricket clubs in Britain and organised many popular community cricket matches. Before concluding his interview, Anandan added with a big smile, "I am travelling to India for the world cup. My wife supports the West Indies team. I have close association with the Indian cricket team. I am not a movie buff, besides community work, my passion is cricket. It is the best way to unwind."

TL LTD Advertorial_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 18:54 Page 15

Tavistock Law: Understanding community needs Tavistock Law, a city law firm with associate offices throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia provides a wide range of legal services for their clients. Tavistock Law covers a number of areas of law including Immigration (business and private), Property (residential and Vivekanand Jaganathan and commercial), Commercial Litigation, Nadeem Akhtar Arbitration and Insolvency.

Although city based, the lawyers at Tavistock Law understand the needs of the diverse ethnic population of the UK and has lawyers who speak Tamil, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi and Malayalam.

Managing Director Nadeem Akhtar, is a qualified corporate/commercial lawyer and head of the Company & Commercial department told Asian Voice, "We are very particular about our services and make sure that our ethnic communities feel completely at home with our excellent legal services."

Vivekanand Jaganathan, an Associate at the firm is an Indian Advocate and a Solicitor. He works in the Commercial Litigation, Arbitration and Insolvency department. Speaking with AV he said, "Yes we have several clients, corporate and private, from the ethnic community including the British Tamil community. The ethnic community in Britain is very rich and vibrant community and it is always a pleasure working with them."

Asian Voice Editor/Publisher: CB Patel Associate Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Editorial Executive: Kartik S. Raval Gujarat Samachar

Editor/Publisher: CB Patel Managing Editor: Kokila Patel Consulting Editor: Jyotsna Shah News Editor: Kamal Rao Special Project Co-ordinator: Nikhil Gor Chief Financial Officer: Surendra Patel Accounts Executive: Akshay Desai Advertising Managers: Alka Shah & Kishor Parmar Business Development Managers: Urja Patel & L George Media Consultant: Rovin J. George Sales Executive: Ashish Popat Graphic Designer: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Customer Service: Saroj Patel

Asian Business Publications Ltd Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market (off Coronet Street), London N1 6HW. Tel: 020 7749 4080 Fax: 020 7749 4081

Email: aveditorial@abplgroup.com gseditorial@abplgroup.com www.abplgroup.com ŠAsian Business Publications Ltd

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

15

Housing_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 15:47 Page 16

Home is where the heart is â– Rupanjana Dutta t has always been believed that home is where the heart is. The Tamils have lost a lot in their years of struggle but the Tamils in Britain have made sure that they provide whatever possible to their community here in Britain, so that they can prosper with time, leaving behind a tragic past they do not want to recall.

The Tamil Community Housing Association, formerly known as the Tamil Refugee Housing Association, was formed in 1986 to address the housing and support needs of the newly arrived Tamil refugee community in London. The Association grew out of the Tamil Refugee Action Group and was established with the support of other community based refugee organisations, leading housing associations and a number of London local authorities. The Association is a charitable Industrial and Provident Society, registered with the Industrial and Provident Society, and is a member of the National Housing Federation. TCHA is now registered with the Tenants Services Authority (Housing Corporation). The Association is managed by a voluntary Management Board, with day to day operations and administration carried out by a professional team.

TCHA has become a vital part of the lives for many Tamils, who often feel isolated from main stream services.

TCHA that currently manages 253 units in London has acquired properties from local authorities and other larger housing associations. They manage specialist supported housing schemes and 203 permanent family homes and provide relevant services in meeting the particular needs of the Tamil community.

TCHA, besides providing housing to the community, also assists the community in providing training and advice on education and employment; particularly to those who need integration into the wider community by working in partnership with other Tamil Community Organisations active in respective London Boroughs.

TCHA offers: l Advice and information services, not just on housing issues but on a wide variety of other matters, and not just to our tenants but to the wider Tamil community at large. l Care and support services for the most vulnerable in Tamil community such as elders, women, people with mental health problems, support for new arrivals and identifying community needs. l Employment-generating initiatives, including assis-

I

16

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

The team at TCHA

tance with job searches, training partnerships with local community organisations, job shadowing to provide training for volunteers and mentoring schemes for young people. l Capacity building within the community The TCHA provides inter-personal advices and assistance. There are so many of Tamils who have been traumatised with their losses back in their native lands.

It has been a long journey for them to make it till here.

But TCHA has given very personal and individual care to every member including emotional support.

Mr Victor I Sivagunam, Chief Executive of the TCHA told the Asian Voice, "I am particularly proud of our working together with our tenants and in providing good services. We are unique in our existence and in providing care and support. We also provide culturally sensitive services to the tenant community. We may be smaller in size with limited resources, but we provide the best and value for money services. Our association is aimed to achieve and maintain best practices in all areas of corporate responsibility. Although this year has seen modest growth, we are poised to receive 93 newly built properties from our 2008/11 Development Programme and will keep our overall progress well in line with our Business Plan. Our progress in buying out managed properties is slow, but steady and gradual.

A further 71 properties are in the pipeline.

Our staff team, members of our Tenants Association and Board Members are very efficient. We are blessed to work successfully together under the current economic climate.

We understand the pain of moving homes continuously. Especially when you are estranged from loved ones for years. Though we are mainly aimed at the development of Tamils, if you are British and registered with the council, may whatever your ethnicity be, we will help you to find a 'house', which will not be a shelter but be a 'home' for you!"

London Eye Hostel_A4 Temp 25/02/2011 11:00 Page 1

Tamil Festival_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 15:48 Page 18

British Tamil Festivals ■ Dr Seethadevi Mahadeva

rom December to February different religious festivals take place in Britain and around the world. It is a period of enjoyment and reflection when people get together with friends and family to celebrate their togetherness. It also becomes cold and rainy in most of the Eastern countries. These annual festivals help people to endure hostile wintry weather, take their minds off work and prepare for the coming new year.

Thai-Pongal is a ‘1000s-ofyears-old’ Tamil Hindu festival. It started as Puthiyeedu during the Chola empire days meaning ‘year’s first harvest’. Thai Pongal is celebrated by all Tamils, and is often called ThamilarThirunaal. This falls on the 1st day of the first Tamil month of Thai (Jan. 14th/15th). This is celebrated as Pongal in Thamil Naadu and Sri Lanka, as Sakranthi in Aandra Pradesh, Bengal, Bihar, Goa, Karnataka, Orissa, Madya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, and Uttar Pratesh, as Uttayagana in Gujarath and Rajasthan, as Lohri in Haryana Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, and as Maha Sankranthi in Nepal.

Almanac-based dissent exists on dates, amidst Tamils.

Tamils draw Kolams at the doorsteps, hang mango leaves on strings on tops of door frames within their homes; some even plant whole banana trees with full bunches of fruits still hanging from the them, at their doorsteps. Pongal Pandikai is the day’s main event, usually performed in the courtyard.

F

Dr Seethadevi Mahadeva

Dr Mrs Seethadevi Mahadeva is a retired Senior Community Health Officer from the NHS, now engaged in literary and cultural pursuits with her husband Professor Kopan Mahadeva since she retired in 1998.

Both of them are the Patrons of ELAB (Eelavar Literature Academy of Britain), which they founded with four friends in 2006 in North London.

8

18

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

Dust is cleared, and the ground is smeared with a mixture of cow-dung and water and allowed to dry. Kolams are drawn on square areas with the help of long sticks or ‘pounders’ with rice flour strewn along lines to draw patterns in squares, and pictures of pots at the corners with coconuts on their mouths.

Raw rice obtained by pounding dehusked paddy from First Harvest is boiled using firewood, in a new earthen pot that is kept to rest on 3 bricks or stones. Milk is added to the water and boiled first. Once it boils over and bubbles out, rice and jaggery are added, and topped over with cashew, ghee, raisins, and some cardamom and cloves. The rice is cooked at sunrise, and Tamils consider it a good sign to watch it boil over when they sing ‘Pongalo Pongal’ -this connoting good luck and prosperity. The cooked rice is first offered to the Sun God, on banana leaves, and religious hymns are sung to demonstrate gratitude for the harvest. Cows & all home animals are also fed.

Sun symbolises the self-effulgent, glorious Divinity, blessing one and all, tirelessly. Sun transcends time, and rotates in the proverbial Wheel of Time.

Sweets and

Tamil Festival_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 17:53 Page 19

savouries like vadai, murukku and paayasam are made and offered with the rice. People visit their friends and relatives, in festive mood.

Thai Pongal is conducted more elaborately in some parts of India. On the day preceding Pongal, people discard old things and focus on their new belongings. People assemble at dawn, light a bonfire and discard their old, used possessions. The house is cleaned and decorated, to give a festive look.

Maaddu-Pongal is also celebrated, on the day following the main Thai Pongal, intended to demonstrate their recognition and affection to cattle. The cattle are decorated with garlands, kunkumam applied on their foreheads, and they are fed with the new boiled rice and other rich food. It is also meant to honour their cattle that had worked hard throughout the year. Bulls are bathed and their horns painted. Adventurous games are also played with the cattle.

Kanu-Pongal is a tradition in some parts of India when the women and young girls feed birds, play ‘Kakapidi, Kanu-pidi’ games, and pray for well- being of their brothers, wishing that their ties with them would remain strong.

Kaanum-Pongal is when brothers see their sisters, pay special tributes and give them presents. Landlords give food, clothing & money to their work force. People visit friends and relatives and enjoy the festive season.

It is a tradition to chew sugarcane on their visits. This is a day to thank relatives and friends for help with harvests. Though it started as a festival of farmers, it has become a festival of all, irrespective of castes, regions, jobs or even religions.

Mahashivarathri is a Hindu celebration that happens in February or March on the night of Full Moon.

Many Hindus fast in their homes. Some fast during the whole night at temples, recite prayers, sing songs of worship, tell stories about Shiva, the Supreme Hindu God, and offer flowers and milk. Next morning they bathe and break the fasts with meals at homes or mandirs.

Diwali is celebrated in the month of aipasi (thula month) 'naraka chaturdasi' thithi, preceding amavasai.

The preparations for the Diwali Festival begin the day before, when the oven is cleaned, smeared with lime, four or five kumkum dots are applied, and then it is

filled with water for the next day's oil bath. The house is washed and decorated with kolam (rangoli) patterns with kavi (red oxide). For Diwali Festival, in the traditional pooja room, betel leaves, betel nuts, plantain fruits, flowers, sandal paste, kumkum, gingelly oil, turmeric powder, scented powder is kept. Crackers and new dresses are placed in a plate after smearing a little kumkum or sandal paste.

The Diwali day begins with everyone in the family taking an oil bath before sunrise, a custom arising from a belief that having an oil bath in the morning on the day of diwali is equivalent to taking bath in the Ganges. Before the bath, elders in the house apply gingelly oil on the heads of the younger members. For those hailing from Tanjore, the custom is to first take a small quantity of deepavali lehiyam (medicinal, ayurvedic paste) after the oil bath and then have breakfast. Often sweets are eaten after wearing new clothes.

In almost all houses, items like ukkarai, velli appam, idly, chutney, sambhar, omapudi, boondhi are prepared. For lunch, jangri, pathir peni, or one variety of the poli are made.

Crackers are usually burst only after the bath.

Meanwhile, kuthu vilaku (oil lamp) is lit in the pooja room. Mats or wooden planks are placed facing east.

After naivedhya (offering to the Gods) of the items, a plaintain fruit is given to each member of the family followed by betel leaves and betel nuts. Those who have to perform 'pithru tharpanam' will have a second bath perform the tharpanam and don't eat rice at night.

Christmas and New Year, and Ramadan are also celebrated by Tamils in Britain because a significant proportion of Tamils in Britain belong to these faiths.

Naturally the Hindu Tamils join them to celebrate these.

Also with mass migrations to and from various parts of the world, people from other cultures and religions live as minorities in all advanced and well-to-do countries.

With political turmoil in especially the third world, refugees are found in hundreds of thousands in many countries of the west, like Canada, Britain, Germany, France, Norway, Denmark and Switzerland. Naturally the immigrants follow the Christmas and New Year celebrations of the host countries, along with them, while also following their own customs.

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

19

Pat Nabhan_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 15:49 Page 20

Connecting the Tamil community around the world ■ Kartik.S. Raval at Nabhan, a visionary with sharp traits of entrepreneurship came to London in 1970. The degree of achievement he holds under his belt is far beyond many to accomplish even in an entire lifetime. He came to London to study Electronic Engineering but within time became an entrepreneur and soon spread his wings in vast areas like media, telecommunication, property etc.

But he did not become an entrepreneur straightaway. After his studies he worked for many blue chip companies before joining Thorn Emi Datatech as a Development Manager where he recorded a feat of a lifetime. Pat Nabhan designed the first ever high speed modem which was used by many institutions including the stock exchange. This reflected nothing but sheer brilliance of a man who was willing to take things a step further than others.

However, in 1989 the company closed down which actually paved a way for his entrepreneurship to flourish.

He took his first step by forming United Networks, a Telecom business.

Though like every other business, this one suffered as well in the initial years. But it was only a matter of time before he scooped deals for London Underground, British Defense, T-Mobile and many others which opened a whole new horizon by taking the business closer to the top flight. It was in 2005 when he transformed United Networks into QiComm.

Pat Nabhan saw his business grow from strength to strength and soon took the opportunity to enter Carrier business in 2001 and penned a deal with big profiles like Reliance, Bharti, Globacom and other global mobile and long distance operators.

But an accomplishment that is recognized by thousands in the community is the formation of Deepam TV. Pat Nabhan formed a channel to serve specifically the Tamil community around the world.

Deepam TV is aimed to be a Pro-Tamil media channel; but it still maintains a very neutral stance, which many channels fail to.

P

Pat Nabhan

There was a need within the community for a platform that will keep them connected to the major happenings around the world, directly or indirectly affecting them; and hence I tried to serve them with Deepam TV and I'm glad the community has gained through that.

8 20

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

It highlights all the important issues from across the world that relates to the community. Pat Nabhan told Asian Voice “From business perspective I wanted to understand the media side of Telecommunication. However, I saw there was a major need within the community to connect with issues in Britain as well as back home that are of major significance to British Tamils. Hence, today we do not provide only syndicate news like many others but fresh and first hand coverage through studio production and field reporting both here and in Sri Lanka.”

As far as his Telecommunication business is concerned, Pat Nabhan has provided service to carriers such as BT. He has a stronghold in WiFi systems providing Networks in the West Midlands here in the UK and in various African and Middle East countries.

Pat Nabhan is a family man whose three children have studied in elite universities like Oxford and the London School of Economics. He is pleased with the direction that the young generation in the Tamil community are heading as they are not only getting accustomed to the British society but are maintaining a close tab with Tamil culture, traditions and ethos. He acknowledges the impact the British Tamil community is making in various walks of life in British Diaspora. He adds, “So many Tamils have attained high level of success in a matter of few years. It is to be remembered that Tamils are a comparatively new in the UK in reference to other Asian communities. Right now so many Tamils are entering the first stage of entrepreneurship by opening shops and stores. This is very exciting as in the coming years many of these Tamils will be in the top flight of the business spectrum.”

Indeed, very soon we will witness a greater presence of British Tamils keeping the pace with which they are climbing the ladder of success and the hard work they are willing to give in to achieve that sweet success.

Lyca_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 19:07 Page 21

Home is just a penny away ubaskaran Allirajah, Chairman of international mobile telecom providers Lycatel and Lycamobile has taken the former to the leading position in the global market of the calling card industry while made the latter, a leading international prepaid mobile business in the European market. Subaskaran's knowledge, drive and determination have been often accredited for being instrumental in this massive accomplishment.

Subaskaran received an International Entrepreneur of the Year Award at Asian Voice's Political and Public Life Awards for taking his brands from the scratch to the top flight in a lightning pace. Subaskaran was awarded by Rt. Hon Valerie Vaz MP while high profile politicians including Rt. Hon Ed Miliband MP, Ed Davey MP and Rt. Hom John Bercow MP were present to acknowledge the achievement.

The Asian community in the UK has immensely benefited from the two companies as it has constantly thrived to provide the cheapest calling rates for millions of Asians living in the UK, who wish to have unending longdistance conversation with their friends and family back home. Lycamobile customers are able to make calls to over 40 countries at an unbeatable rate of 1p per minute.

Lycamobile also bagged the Best Overall Enterprise Award at the prestigious Asian Achievers Awards for the year 2010.

The awards also recognized Subaskaran's over fifteen years of experience in leading the prepaid telecommunications market through his entrepreneur skills that never failed to realise key opportunities that can help grow Lycatel and Lycamobile brands.

“I am proud to serve the community and delighted that the hard work and effort that the Lycamobile and Lycatel team have made in growing the business has been recognised. Without the support of my col-

S

Subaskaran Allirajah

leagues and my family, I would not have achieved this success,” said Subaskaran Allirajah, Chairman, Lycamobile & Lycatel.

Lycatel now enjoys operations in 18 global markets, has over 9 million customers and originates over 19 billion minutes of telecoms traffic per year, while Lycamobile launched in 2006 is now present in ten global markets and has over 6.5 million customers. Lycamobile under Subaskaran’s leadership is on target to achieve its mission of acquiring 20 million global subscribers by 2012.

Lycamobile has a strong hold in Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Australia and the UK and it is already Europe’s largest prepaid MVNO with over 6.5 million customers across Europe and Australia.

Lycamobile is a prepaid SIM card product that provides lowcost, high-quality International calls direct from mobile phones. Lycamobile is already distributed through a European network of more than 500,000 retail outlets including Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys and Morrisons.

Lycamobile continues to grow rapidly with further market launches planned throughout 2011. It is now poised to expand their global footprint thanks to the over £200 million investment made in people, process, brand and state of the art technology that has led to the launch of unique innovative product features such as international conference calling, multilingual voice capabilities and many more.

Through Lycamobile, Subaskaran wishes to create a world-class telecommunications organisation where their talented people team up with business partners to continually drive down costs and deliver superior value propositions to their customers.

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

21

Tarrin Constantine_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 15:50 Page 22

Letting go of the past for a better future ■ Kartik.S. Raval Tarrin Constantine describes that his childhood experiences are something he do not wish for any child as it took him a lot of strength to forget the harsh memories of state sponsored terrorism while he and his family lived in the Singhalese area in Sri Lanka. However, he has long left those harsh experiences in the past and moved on to walk the path of success.

Tarrin who came to the UK in 1985 and applied for a refugee status in 1988, is now the Group Financial Director of the renowned property development company, Desilu Group (UK) & Pillar Enterprises (Cyprus). The business which is worth £100 million have massive 4 star hotel in Larnaca Bay and also Hotels, Apartments, Flats, Hostels, Pubs, HMO's, Offices and Commercial buildings all over the UK. Tarrin also owns Euro Properties Ltd & FM Stores Ltd in London.

However, it hasn't been a 'Milky Way' journey for Constantine as he describes life was tough when he came to the UK as a student. Until 1992 he worked as a cleaner, forecourt attendant, at KFC and petrol stations. He knew the first generation of immigrants will have to go that extra mile and keep pushing to pave a way for the new community of theirs to survive on a new soil.

His aspirations to go on has paid off but hard work has always been the prime ingredient in his life. Tarrin says, “Whether the time was rough or smooth, no matter what conditions I was working in, I always believed that it was essential to be ruthlessly focussed, committed and passionate to move forward. I do not think that my working hours ever dropped below 70 hours per week.”

He got a major breakthrough while he was extending stay in the UK as the Home office had lost his file including the passport.

He was appointed as the Deputy Europe Financial Controller for Choice Hotels International in 1996, which was the world's biggest hotel group at that time with more

A

Tarrin Constantine

What happened in the past has to be forgotten for the sake of the future generation. If we linger in the past we cannot move forward

8

22

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

than 3600 hotels. Though he accredits this accomplishment highly to luck, from there onwards he never looked back and climbed all the ladders in the property and service industry.

Tarrin Constantine has also been actively involved with various charities.

Along with his friends, he formed a charity in UK called 'Little Aid' on 18th May 2009.

He stayed as the Chairman of Little Aid until the end of the year 2010 and then passed it on to the second generation Sri Lankan Dr Mareeni Raymond.

“Until now we have donated over £3.5 Millions worth of goods to war victims in Sri Lanka. All Tamil, Singhalese and Muslim communities benefitted from Little Aid projects. When you multiply £3.5 million sterling into Sri Lankan Rupees, it is an enormous amount. But without the help of Medicine without Borders and Global Medical Aid (Denmark), Ahilan Foundation (UK), Ealing Kannga Thurkkai Amman Temple (UK) this wouldn’t have been achieved”, adds Tarrin.

This year's agenda for the charity has been to set up internet and computer training centres in Sri Lanka. Already four has been made available and eleven more are targeted by the end of the year.

It has been a long way for Tarrin, especially as a refugee who have seen dark side of life from an early age. But his ability of locking out those experiences and seeking a bright future has indeed given him, his wife Tanuja and two children Tanya and Theeran, a prosperous and stable social life.

Project4_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 18:45 Page 23

11th ASIAN ACHIEVERS AWARDS (AAA) September 2011 The prestigious Asian Achievers Awards is hosted every year

by UK’s leading news weeklies Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar to honour British Asians par excellence.

Opportunities: Sponsorship Table Booking Advertising For more information please call 020 7749 4085 If there is someone you know who has broken boundaries and deserves recognition for their unique contribution to the community and the nation then please nominate them for one of the awards For nomination form please visit www.asianachieversawards.com

Tel:: 020 7749 4085 Fax: 020 7749 4081

ABPL Group,

Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market (Coronet Street) London N1 6HW

R

Ragu Travels Ltd

3 Fryent Way, Kingsbury, London, NW9 9ER Contact: 020 8206 9930 e: info@manandco.co.uk

l

Air Tickets l Transportation l Travel Insurance l Visa Arrangements for India

Ragu Estate Agents n

Sales & Lettings n Mortgages n Constructions n Property Managements 258, High Street North, Manor Park, E12 6SB Fax: 020 3490 9187 Web: www.ragutravels.co.uk Email: ragu_travels@hotmail.com

T.P: 020 8586 2323, Mobile: 079 8521 9519

Thinking of Buying, Selling or Letting a property?

Selling: We use mediums such as our Website and Rightmove.com to ensure your property has world wide exposure. Competitive rates compared to other agents!

Buying: Have a look at www.manandco.co.uk for available properties, if you don’t find what you are looking for – give us a call on 020 8206 9930.

Renting: n Property Management Schemes n Guaranteed rent schemes n Maximum Rent Achieved n Rent your property immediately n Maximum exposure though wide range of adverts n In-House property maintenance

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

23

East Ham_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 15:51 Page 24

Newham: The home for Tamils ■ Cllr Paul Sathianesan ewham is the home land for the European Tamils (East Ham & Manor Park) become the “Tamil Khottai” (Kingdom) & Punniya Bhumi (blessed land) for the Tamils who came from India, Sri Lanka, Singapore , Malaysia, Muritus and sheycells. Early days they came as students and migrants to UK, to work, study and settled. Newham became the home for the Tamil Students in early 1950’s.

Those who studied at the North East London Poly Technical College now University of East London and South East London Technical College in Lewisham, found that the overseas student fees and low cost accommodation helped them to live in Newham. It’s slowly attracted the students and their families in small numbers.

Tamils from Singapore and then from Malaysia migrated to UK after British government decided to pull out of Singapore late 60’s early 70’s. Many Tamils worked with British forces in Navy, Air Force & Army wanted to settle in London for better employment opportunity rather than they go back to India.

When they arrived in East Ham & Manor Park its become their home to live in rented properties. Mostly they worked at the Ford Car Factory in Dagenham and in the T.C.L. (telecommunication). The Mayor and the Council welcome the Tamils as part of Newham family, recognised the contributions Tamils made to Newham Life. Library has Tamil books and reading club, council services can be accessed in Tamil language also 5 local schools teach Tamil dance as part of their cultural education.

The first Tamil Hindu Temple in the UK was established in 1975 in the city and later moved to Eastham from 1979 -1983 they worshiped at the Plashed School on a monthly basis, on 12th February 1984 kumbabhishekam inaguration to new temple in Church Road Manor Park this Temble was newly rebuilt as Europes largest Hindu Temple in 2005, then three more temples came after 1990. Tamil Church was established in 1980 in a private house and moved

N

Cllr Paul Sathianesan

Councillor Paul Sathianesan is the first Tamil appointed by the British Refugee Council to advice and look after the Tamils in the UK and since then he has received great respect from wider community in the UK and Internationally.

8

24

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

to a hall in Halley Road Manor Park in July 1982 and now worshiping in Manor Park Baptist Church, the Tamil Mosque was established in late 1990 to meet the spiritual well being of the Tamil community in Newham. In 1960 London Tamil Sangam was established by the Indian Tamil community in Manor Park and Newham Council gave them a permanent home as office in the high street. 2010 they celeberated the 50th anniversary. Newham history has a record of a Sri Lasnkan Tamil Methodist priest arrived and worked in Canning Town in early 1940's as community worker.

In 1983 and then in 1985 a large number of Tamil Refugees started to arrive in UK from Sri Lanka most of them moved to Newham because of the local connection and the advice worker at the British Refugee Council lived locally. Newham not gave houses but gave home for Tamils. Since their arrival lots of activities and projects started to help this newly arrived people.

New community and welfare organisations started to meet the need of the community.

Today we have more than 5000 Tamils live here, nearly 300 different variety of business and 110 on the Eastham High Street. Worshiping places, Saturday & Sunday schools, private tuition centres, and music & dance classes including karate classes attended by over 1200 children every week end. The first Tamil school established in Europe 35 years ago is "Thiruvalluval Tamil School" is based at Pleshet School in Eastham also there is 4

East Ham_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 15:52 Page 25

other Tamil Saturday and Sunday schools teach Tamil, music, dance and art. The community organisations and sports clubs along with public and private functions help the community to celebrate their culture.

Many Tamils owned their homes rather live in rented accommodation; their children go to local schools and actively take part in every activity. The Tamil’s contribute socially, culturally, economically and politically to Newham and Britton. The first Tamil councillor was elected in East London in 1998. Tamil become one of the main languages with in the borough and every council document got Tamil Letters. And the council officially celebrate the Tamil New Year “Pongal” as International Tamil Day by switching on the lights on the high street by the Mayor. The Tamils become a major contributor with in the diverse community in Newham. Tamils are visible, vibrant hard working, intelligent, spiritual and dedicated community become part of the fabric of Newham. One of the role model communities in London. Many tamils those who arrived from European country lived in Newham and then move on to other parts of the country for permanent settlement. many European business community also established their business in Eastham today the Major private telecommunication business owned by Tamils such as Lycatel, Vectone mobiles and Libera are established their head offices in Newham. Olympic Cllr. Paul Sathianesan is the East London’s first popular Tamil and long serving, awards winning, 4 times elected Councillor with the highest votes.

Today in Newham the following organisations meeting the needs of the Tamils. London Sri Murugan temple, Laxmi temple, Melmaruvathur Amman temple, Sithampara Nadeswarar Temple, Emmanuel Tamil Christian Fellowship, Islamic centre & Tamil Mosque are the spiritual organisations. London Tamil Sangam, Newham United Tamil Association, Tamil welfare association of Newham, International Tamil Refugee Network, Tamil Chamber of Commerce, Saiva Munetra Sangam, Council for Christian Tamils of UK, Council of European Tamils, European Chemozhi Sangam are the community organiosations. There are many cultural and sports associations Including elderly groups operating and serving in Newham for the benefit of the Tamil Community and its future generations.

The first Tamil radio Sunrise and first audio production 1FM and online TV all are based in Eastham. Newham become a hub for European Tamils as their new Home and Promised Land.

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

25

Siva Sundram_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 15:53 Page 26

Family and Philanthropybackbone of a successful life â– Rupanjana Dutta ven in the time of recession in Britain, there is a huge market that remains undisturbed. That is the market of wedding. And no wedding is complete without jewelleries- at least one gold necklace or ring.

Western Jewellers, started by Mr Siva Sundram and his wife is an example of community cohesion in the heart of London. The first shop was opened in Tooting. With its rising success, Mr Sundaram opened the second shop in Wembley. A man of quality and very few words Siva Sundram runs the jewellery shop with his son.

The popularity of the shop is so high, that it was also covered by a participant in the famous show The Apprentice.

Though initially the shop was started for Sri Lankan Tamil customers, slowly it changed to a very multicultural store. With a sister saree shop, if there is any wedding within any community, people who know Siva Sundram, would not go anywhere else.

When Asian Voice asked Mr Sundram about his jewellery design and the gold market in doldrum with prices soaring, he added with a big smile, "There are few jewelleries that we make here. Some clients obviously want some custom made jewellery. Then we make sure everything is done here. Otherwise I get my jewelleries made from Singapore.

In weddings within our South Asian community, there is obviously the need of a tali (mangalsutra) chain or a ring or necklace. It never happens that Asian weddings happen ever without a piece of gold.

Though the market has suffered with recession and the prices have gone up, but weddings are incomplete without any form of gold. So we have sustained the downturn.

Earlier we used to make studded jewelleries more. But with time obviously trends

E

No life is ever complete without some voluntary and charity works.

It is good to achieve a lot in life, but without community involvement and charity- no one can do well in life.

Philanthropy is important."

8 26

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

are changing. People want solid gold stuff more than anything. We have also altered our fashion accordingly" Mr Sundaram is a family man. With three sons and a loving wife Aruleswary, he says life could not be better. His youngest son Maharaj is also a part of his jewellery business. But he is as enterprising as his father. He also has a chain of restaurant called Pongal Express in Harrow, Tooting and takeaway in Thornton Heath.

He added, "I am 63 years old. I want to stop here. I don't want to increase the size of my business but make sure run the business viably. My son Maharaj is full of beans.

He wants start more restaurants and do much more. I would love to support him in his initiative. Afterall business is about growing!"

Talking about family Mr Sundaram said, "My wife comes from a family of jewellers in Colombo. We came here and started a jewellery shop, on her initiative. And obviously there has been no looking back. It is true, behind every successful man, there is a successful woman."

A workaholic, Mr Sundaram, when asked about hobbies, he added with a smile, "I love travelling. I am in the office every day from10:30 to 6:30. So all I can do to relax is travel.

However, as a community bound man Mr Sundaram is involved with the Tamils very closely. He looks after hospices, sometimes goes down and visit them too. As the Chairman of the Board of Eltham Leap Limited in Feltham, he is also initiating opening of a big wedding and social events hall during the Tamil New Year.

He added, "No life is ever complete without some voluntary and charity works. It is good to achieve a lot in life, but without community involvement and charity- no one can do well in life. Philanthropy is important."

Though extremely busy, Mr Sundaram came across as a man of conscious. With his relentless work, community involvement and love for family- he is an ideal in the world of business!

GS-Ad-2_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 16:14 Page 1

s at issue

0ofgGruejarat Sajumsatchar 5 for ach

e Voice ly) & Asian (UK on ific r re te r any mo livered m S U L P de issues special EE!

£30!

FR

UK's favourite newsweeklies delivered to your doorstep RO IN EU " E E K LY & % & %( . " ' (" $ AT I W U JAR ' % # ! & . " ST G " R E M Oevery side " ' & FO from F I R S Tthoughts come to us

Are you a subscriber of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice?

If not, here are a few compelling reasons why you should:

PE " '

e Let nobl

6$= 3

(

,*--

"

*, ,*+* % - " ,*

$ ,- *,

3

● 72 pages of the most comprehensive, in-depth and unique

CE

,*+*

41 38, No. Volume

3

6$= 3

cover age across the UK, India, Asia and the rest of the world. ● We take great care to cater to a wide target audience male, female, young and old. There is something for the entire family. ● Our popular periodic theme based special issues are unmatched by any other title in the market. And you will receive them free of charge! ● We are committed to a number of unique community events which receive wide publicity in our titles. If you are not a subscriber chances are you will miss out on such events.

DE

# Y7 \ Y +gD Y (%YyB . " ) +,?B #c'Y#Yh #,Yy) \ ( ] #,Y _j" +Y &Y ]h y(B y (+c )Y,\ PY $]q , % "?# FKY'] `(n )%\% ,Y #Yh )Y,\ PY c# %\ c & Y \ c )?Bf Y% Y %h %Y Y Y !Y(Y w!@ !@ ,•%f ] Y &Y f FKY'Y +Y c $YBY Y#Y#Yh Y "f&c x b %\ , \ h )Y #Y fp % c Y( (Y \ &Y (c a! \ #Y%\ y( c)#Yh \ h Y +Y c c) # %Y \ Y%c &Y f "Hf(c&Yh urr \ ( Z Y%c y(B PY #Y d #{Y Y %

< ,•%f 3 $3 6 $= 3 3 Y Y Y #Y fp Y y(y( e &Y c# Yh % Y < 3 : 3 F!F! Y, Y f Y \ ]h +% + ),c $ $ 3= PY % &\ &(Y% ,(Y# Y +Y ]+h f h 3$Y%c _j" #c' Y 3 3F B %,c A <I : ES _j #Yh h #Y % \ ;$] Yh &Y/$Y , 23 9! g \ Y c Yh ,•%f ,Y #Yh c PY f Y% &z 3 : "3%5 Y #Yh f e ,% \ Y Y(p \ %f c %: 3 ? %\ %,c& Y(Y \ (k \ e &Y !Y(Y Y y)(c #Y Y $f•$c&Y )Y,\ PY ; < 3 ! ( \W c ; LY%Y & ]h , ]h , Y " (Y % % :,Y!Y #Yh y \ + $f•$ 23 3 !\€ !Y(Y $ p c v#Yh \ Y !Y(Y + "3%5 Y 3= % trr $Yp Y Y cVh N=$ c % 8> : 3 ]h +% Y, Y Y y)( Y y#&Y(\ 3F, !A f(Y #' a! \ #,Y _j"#Yh ,Y \ c f Y +fy+$c) h #,Yy)(%YyBY Y h Y& 3= %3F"!

Y Y !Y(Y a! \ #Y%\ c Y%c&Y c Y&#Y , \ c}3(#Y %!f' %F 13 \ &Y Y e +Y ) c Y +#Yh \ Y+ y(B $YBY su Y , Y %c&\ (Y #Yh \ c )f"Y Y Y ,y%% #YB B Y Y +Y c D#] UY +% +#Yh f Y$Y f(Y #' d ,•%f \ !c+ ( c +% +#Yh c +])fy" Y , Y \ y $c&Yh f(Y #' $f•$c&Y ,•%f +Y ] c# f(Y #Y fp \ !h c YY Y YY Y Yh f Y YY Y c !c5 (Y• f +% + c Y #c \ #Y Y , Y \ +Y c ` c Y &f \ y!%Y1$Y f +Y c "yH"Y( % +h.$Y#Yh , , Y c# \ # h c #Y fp (Yy B % Y Y !Y(Y +f,# !Y!Y f , f ` f #Y,f& +•p$ f " f \ #Yh 8$Y+Y !Y!Y c# +y, ,•% ( ) yE c "H +y, +% +#Yh c# Y y)>$ f Y "Y% p) c)f Y c #,h %(Y 0 +h f \ 0 Y Dy !,Y% Y ) Y ! Y((Y # Y(Y f Y$Y , %\ ~[/& c $]%f

, Y

F

5 6 3

y# Y" #c Y? Y% "( $ ) ] %Y Y EY5 \ !J c ! (Y +h#y Y+ 9!c+c % ^y% # Y y( f c ] %Y #Yh 9!c+c % ! (Y #Y d EY5 y# Y"c •5$] %\#Yh -$f D? Y( +Y#c \ #] +#T #].$ D Y c %c5C #f \ c &\ f , f , f Y%\ ?(\ 3+Y, `(p c y(y ( ] %Y Y Yh f e c B % \ y #h c D3$] % +% Y% .$ D Y ] %Y Y !J c #] f c 6$f , \ Y% (Y f Y \ "Y y( Y+#Yh \ c Y +h#y !\ ] %Y Y ,(c y! $f h ] e +c % %\ TcB c EY5 9!c %\ D(Y+ Dy RY y()c* (\ y# Y"c y(O#Yh c %#Yh Y()c Y #f \ c c# Y Yh \ %#Yh W!W #;$Y , Y \ Y c :#y+ (Y+?

Z y ] %Y #Yh !J c

3 /3)

* :$:

F/

: 3 3 ; %!

3 + 7 ) F! @'!: +; 5 H4' "

%\ + Y+ y(MY l (\ )c #Yh d?

Yh \ % #Y \ %\ Y f+p &m/(c ai Y Y'Y f #\ \ f c % Y ,)c!f&Y(\ EY5 , \ 8$Y+ yE <)$ c ] %Y Y ! (Y Y ) y c5 52+ c(\ f* Y yEy |, +% \ 9!c+c % !J Y Y3 Yy& y( c)\ ) )c ,k %\ c yE Y , ]h e y# Y" +c \ Y %\ Y%c +% f5+ c Xh y $#f yE #Yh ~[/&) oAc & %)c y p$ \ :,\#Yh oAc+ D Y ( Y%Y y $hyB d %\ c Yh f c (\ y * y (Y%\ &Y \ #&# Y Y Y# ~[/&) +p ~[/&) D(HY #y ]h e 1$Yh Y y!y y(MY l €+\ + Y +] \ Y c d? ,Y& %Y)c c yEy ) Y<$]h , $f #y, (c / &m c# \ %,c)c ? % \ %+h,Y% 9!c+c % h %%YQ\$ Z e) \ +# T y(MY l !Y !,Y% Y ] %Y Y EY5 p$ Y ' ]h ( Y $]%f ,k #y, Y \ &Yh c(Y f+p &m/(c Ify& y ! (Y Y y# Y" !J c f+p #Y d yE c &Y(\ ) )c A\ f+p ,f$ 52+ c 52+ y c y c5 )Y ]h c +Y c y c5 ,Y$% 1$] e) c# \ +Y #h `%\ ,k Y G\ %(Y ] "Y c l %(Y \ B (*p ( Y y(MY Y# $Y#Yh c f !\€ !Y Y f 52+ Yh (Yy #Y d yE y c5 l ,Y&#Y f %Y$f c )c %h ] %c5C oAc+\ D(H &Y(\ ) #Yh y( c)\ y(MY c#Yh h , ]h e Y<$] h Y c Y'#Y &c #'c yE Y# %\ ) e Y )Y+ p y( Y+ 3 #f \ `( tr &Y 3 6& . ] %Y c "] B * :$: 3 /3) +Y4$f c

Click

m oup.co abplgr for

3= 5

F % 0 : +GF F 3 3( 5 5% 5 3 3 F 3 3 B +!5 3 5 3= $6 + 5 6 3 6 . 3 : : $%# 5 : 6& :)- < 5 5% 5 !3

e-Edition

Please detach this form and send it with your payment or credit card instructions or by cheque to the address below

ASIAN VOICE & GUJARAT SAMACHAR

12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW

Tel: 020 7749 4080 - Fax: 020 7749 4081

E-mail: support@abplgroup.com NAME ADDRESS

Forthcoming Special Issues in 2011 Asian Voice Political & Public Life Awards Souvenir & Event February, 2011 British Tamils March 2011 Finance, Banking and Insurance (FBI) magazine and FBI Event May, 2011 British Punjabis April, 2011 British Asian Women -

The Pinnacle of Success

May, 2011

Asian Achievers Awards

September, 2011

Diwali Issue

October, 2011

Khaana Peena Naachna Gaana

POST CODE

TEL:

www.abplgroup.com

E-mail: Please charge my VISA / ACCESS / MASTERCARD for £

Card Expiry date

1 Year 2 Years *5 Years *10 Years

Card No: Signature

December, 2011

Date

G.S. £25 £45 £110 £200

UK A.V. £25 £45 £110 £200

Both £30 £55 £140 £250

RATES VALID FROM 11.7.2002

G.S. £55 £100 £225 £450

EUROPE A.V. Both £55 £80 £100 £150 £225 £325 £450 £650

G.S. £70 £125 £300 £550

WORLD A.V. Both £70 £100 £125 £180 £300 £400 £550 £800

*Subscription paid will not be refunded

*To Subscribe 5 or 10 years please pay by cheque or Debit Card

Tavi_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 17:33 Page 28

Ace of travel, yet Jack of many ■ Kartik.S. Raval avi Thevarajah, is known for his success in diverse business areas. However, he is well known for his journey with Carlton Leisure, which he turned into a £15 million annual turnover business with just £100,000 of investment in a matter of few years.

Today, Carlton Leisure stands as the biggest ethnic travel agent amongst the Tamil Community.

Tavi took over the travel business in 2002 when it had just two members of staff. While, today he holds call centers in Chennai and New Delhi as well. Carlton Leisure is undoubtedly recognised as the biggest Sri Lankan Tamil Tourism business. He has been awarded the Number one agent for Sri Lankan Airline for the last two consecutive years. Carlton Leisure holds contracts with more than 100 Airline services and is the top seller on all airlines to Sri Lanka for example Qatar, Oman, Jet Airways, Emirates, Gulf and Etihad. The travel business that has zoomed pass the path to success is solely based on retail sale of tickets and not wholesale.

But what is impressive is 70 per cent of their customers keep repeating to do business with them, a number admirable in the contemporary world when people are habituated of swapping services and brands. Tavi Thevarajah tells Asian Voice, “One of the most important areas of any business is customer service and we have left no stones unturned there. This is one of the reasons that competing companies have never been able to pose a threat to our market.”

But Carlton Leisure does not mark the beginning of Tavi’s step into business. He started with managing his father’s Renault car dealership in North London. He made his base with this dealership in ten years and in 1991, became one of the first Sri Lankan to open an Italian restaurant. Tavi opened Pizzeria Romana in South Kensington and soon two more in Earls Court and Hammersmith. He expanded into service stations as well as properties in London. Moreover, he is one of the founders of IBC Radio station in London. This is just an overview of the background of businesses he would need to mention if he tries to make a CV sometime. Today, Tavi Thevarajah is into property investment and development both inside and outside the UK. Though these business areas might seem way too diverse for one

T

28

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

person to focus, it might be surprising to know that he takes equal interest and plays his part in the Tamil community. He admires the pace with which British Tamils have sought success, but he is also of a belief that there is ample room for further development. Tavi reveals, “It feels good to know that people in the community are aware of their strengths and are able to imply it in the right areas. Right now I see a lot of individuals from the community achieving prosperity. But it is equally essential that the community as one gain recognition. United and bigger community projects, involvement in all the business areas and walks of life can help reach this target in no time.”

Tavi has since long been a supporter of Tamil organisations, cultural events and charities as well. At the same time holds a strong passion towards music and was also involved in organising first ever big Tamil event with the capacity of about 10,000, which was a Hari Haran concert at Alexandra palace. He is also involved in a community hall project in Feltham for the Tamils.

Tavi also believes that there is a huge task ahead for the parents in the community to keep the wealth of their culture safe as most of the coming generation is totally detached from the cultural environment that they grew in couple of decades ago. “You cannot blame the kids as well because they are totally unaware. But now they are gradually understanding the significance of unity within the community whether it is UK or Sri Lanka and hence getting more involved. These are good signs”, adds Tavi.

Tavi is a strong believer in Tamil community and it reflects when he says the best is yet to come as the community has just begun to show the glimpses of its strength and the passion to succeed.

Urban_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 16:43 Page 1

Unit - 1 A, Royal Victoria Place London - E16 1UG e: urbanrefrigeration@goolgemail.com www.urbanrefrigeration.com

call Prakash Patel 07779 333 545 / 0208 591 0797

European Tamils_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 15:54 Page 30

The Voice of European Tamils â&#x2013; Cllr Paul Sathianesan e Tamils from India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, the Seychelles migrated to the European countries decades ago, and we were resoectively known as British Tamils, French Tamils, German Tamils, Danish Tamils and so on. Now since the whole of Europe has come together we have a new identity as "European Tamils".

I had launched this new theme in 1998 in Plashed Park in Newham with the biggest cultural festival and more than 10,000 people took part. The only heritage for our next generation is our Identity, Culture, Traditions and Values we will encourage our community to integrate and live as part of the wider community in UK, rather they becomes an isolated community and live in ghettos. We are very proud of our new identity and as an inclusive community in UK. We are a hard working, law abiding, respectable, intellectual, culturally identified, civilised and educated community in UK. We have contributed to the United Kingdom socially, economically, culturally, spiritually, academically and politically, in every aspect of our life we have proven track record of achievements.

United Kingdom is our Promised Land and New Home. We are a part of the Big British Family and we do understand that Britain has great values of Democracy, Justice, Peace, Liberty, Equality and Freedom. We also have our personal and cultural values with great hospitality. The best part in our community is we share these values with great respect for the common good. We learn, understand and integrate to enjoy the life here as free citizens.

The European Tamil Community, their achievements and contributions in UK has been recognised by By Her Majesty The Queen, the Government, the Parliament and especially the Fellow Citizens of United Kingdom. It has been the most important and proud moments in our lives. The Economic and Political contributions by the European Tamils is a significant mile stone. It not only boosts the next generation it also helps and motivate the world wide Tamil Community and specially the people of our mother land. As Diaspora community we will never forget the people in our mother land. We will continue to support, encourage, motivate and empower the community so that they have a better quality of life and freedom and peace.

W

Cllr Paul Sathianesan

Councillor Paul Sathianesan is the first Tamil appointed by the British Refugee Council to advice and look after the Tamils in the UK and since then he has received great respect from wider community in the UK and Internationally.

8

30

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

Political situations in Sri Lanka made Students, youths and adults more active. The democratic freedom and issues in Sri Lanka helped them to become members of the British Political parties later they have affiliated as Tamil groups to UK political parties such as Tamils for Labour and Tamils for Tories. Tamils put their names forward as candidates in Local, National and European, London GLA & Mayoral elections as individuals and as party members.

We are proud to have Tamils in Mayoral & Civic office in the past from Newham, Southwark, Lewisham, Kingston upon Thames and Nottingham. Currently we have councillors elected in London Boroughs of Newham, Redbridge, Merton, Kingston, Croydon, Southwark, Brent, Harrow and Tendering District council. The current elected members have become role models and community leaders in their respected areas and to our community.

Sports Tamils love their sports whether it is Cricket, Football, Volleyball, Netball and the Athletics also champion in martial arts such as karate and Taekwondo. They have variety of many traditional sports as part of their culture at back home but here in UK they are heavily involved in the above sports.

European Tamils_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 15:55 Page 31

These sports events are organised by the Clubs, Alumni Associations, Charities, Community/Village Organisations, Leagues and Tamil Schools Sports Associations.

There is an annual Festival of Cricket and Festival of Sports on Bank holiday weekends, which include netball, volleyball, football and children sports and family entertainment. Charity matches, Clubs and League matches played by many young Tamils and they become champions. In many London boroughs Tamils have their own clubs and teams. They not only play between them selves, also they play with the wider community. This engagement also helps in healthy integration. Saturday Tamil Schools which was set up to teach Tamil language is also involved the children in sports activities. Martial Arts is one of the very popular sports for young gals, boys including children its help to promote the healthy living.

Art & Culture The Tamil Classical Dance is very popularly known as “Bharatha Natiyam”. It is taught by very talented and professional teachers across the UK, mainly in London. There are several teachers that run their classes on weekends in their homes, community and church halls, local schools also in the Hindu Temples. They not only learn the Traditional dance they also learn Fusion, Bollywood and Ballet. In Newham, Tamil dance is taught in local schools.

Tamil dancers are looking forward to perform in the 2012 Olympic’s opening, closing and welcoming ceremonies.

Dance Lab, a Newham based dance group won the Inter

European Tamil Dance championship.

Dr Ann David describes the Bharat Natyam dance learned by Tamil girls and how its re-emergence in temples has significance for those eager to preserve links with their cultural and religious heritage.

Girls and Boys learn music Vocal Karnatic classical music, film and pop songs. Eastern Instruments such as Miruthangam, Thabela, Morsing, Violin, Veena, Flute and western music Guitar, Organ and Piano. They take upper grades in examinations and also they have a graduation ceremony known as “Arangetram” organised by the families.

There are many poets and writers immerging within the community in the UK. Ms.Meena Kandasamy from Canterbury University and Ms.Mouli Selvarajah from Luton are such very talented young writers. We have very popular writer Mr. A. Sivanandan, who is also a political activist, writer, founding Editor of Race & Class and the Director of the Institute of Race Relations.

Tamil media also play a vital role with in the community and we have five Tamil television channels- Sun TV, Vije TV, Raj TV, Dan TV from South India and Deepam TV, GTV from the UK and also First Audio online TV. There are Tamil Radios Sunrise (Sooriyothayam), IBC, TBC, London Tamil FM, London Tamil radio, Letchiyam FM,1 Tamil FM. Tamil publications Puthinam Tamil publishes twice a month, Kalai kathir publishes weekly, London kural (Tamil) and Tamil Guardian are in English. Several internet web pages representing political, cultural, art and history of Tamils such as Tamil net, Thesam, Lankasri- also exist.

Ahilan Foundation

Ahilan foundation is a charity organisation and was established 2 years ago to help the children and elderly who needs assistance. Ahilan foundation is looking after 11 elderly people in Thirukovil-batticaloa and 15 boys in Batticaloa

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

31

Walthamstaw temple_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 16:39 Page 32

Sree Karpaga Vinayagar Temple, Walthamstaw ■ Maheswaran Marisamy fter a process of discussion between the founder Mr. Muruguppillai Gopalakrishnan and Priest Sivasri Sellappa Pattar and it was decided that the Hindus in the East London must have to have a Lord Ganesh Temple. At that time there was only one Ganesh temple in the UK which was built in Wimbledon.

It was actually a joint effort of these two men that this temple was created. On 9 September 2000, God Ganesh, God Shiva, Goddess Menadshi, God Muruga, Goddess Valli, Theivanai and Navagragas were temporally established in a small room at Bedford Road.

Initially the residents at Bedford Road were not happy about this temple, but with the strong support of the devotees, the Local Authority approved the plan and granted to build the temple.

The design work which started in 2000 provided a main shrine and the other separate shrines associated with the deities were God Shiva, Goddess Menadshi, God Krishna, Goddess Lakshimi, God Hanuman, God Balamurugan, God Murugan with Goddess Valli, Theivanai, God Iyappan, God Sunthareswarar, Goddess Menadshi, God Nadarajar, Goddess Parvathy, God Prathoshanayagar, Goddess Sagunthaladevi, God Vairavar, Navagragas and Vasantha Mandapam. All these shrines were specially built by the supervision of Sivasri Balakumar, who is an expert in the building temples in the Western countries.

On 2 September 2001 more than 1000 devotees participated in the heath taking ceremony. At the conclusion of the morning ceremony for the deities, a Maheswara puja was performed enabling the devotees to partake in the lunch organised for the occasion. In the evening “Thirukkalyanam” was held to celebrate the event.

This God Ganesh Temple has its place amongst the Hindu Temples all over the world. The vision, dedication, courage and indomitable spirit of Hindu com-

A

32

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

munity in the UK- a priceless and everlasting legacy is seen through the establishment of a magnificent temple like this.

This unique temple will transcend time barriers to remain as an icon symbolising the contribution of Hindu community to a multicultural society.

At present besides the annual Vasantha Navarathiri and Mahotsavam, all other religious days are celebrated.

The spiritual committee has also undertaken to run the following programs: l Conducting Hinduism classes and teach Pannisai l Organising religious and spiritual lectures and workshops l An elderly association formed and have their needs fulfilled l Encouraging and arranging bhjanan session at the temple by interested devotee groups Hinduism class for the children have commenced in 2008 and is conducted every Tuesday evenings.

Also, whenever a natural disaster occurred in Sri Lanka or anywhere else, the temple has always helped the sufferers by sending food, clothes and funds.

Other Hindu Temples for British Tamils in the UK l Tividale Tirupathy Balaji Temple, Address: Dudley Road East Tividale Birmingham B69 3DU Tel: 012 1544 2256. l High Gate Hill Murugan Temple, Address: 200A Archway Road London N6 5BA Tel: 020 8348 9835 l London Murugan Temple, Address: 78 Church Road E12 London Tel: 020 8542 7482 l London Sivan Kovil, Address: 4A Clarendon Rise

Walthamstaw temple_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 16:40 Page 33

Lewisham London SE13 5ES Tel: 020 8318 9844 l London Sri Murugan Temple, Address: 78 Church Road Manor Park London E12 6AF, Tel: 020 8478 8433 l Shree Ganapathy Temple, Address: 125 - 133 Effra Road Wimbledon London SW19 8PU Tel: 020 8542 7482, 020 8542 4141 l Shree Karpaga Venayagar Kovil, Address: 2 - 4 Bedford Road Walthamstow London E17 4PX Tel: 020 8527 3819 l Shree Marupuram Maha Pathrakali Amman Kovil, Address: 271 Forest Road Walthamstow London E17 6HD Tel: 020 8531 0872 l Shri Kanaga Thurgai Amman, Address: 5 Chapel Road London W13 9AE Tel: 020 8810 0835 l Sivayogam London Muthumari Amman Kovil, Address: 180 - 186 Upper Tooting Road Tooting London SW17 7EJ Tel: 020 8767 9881 l Sri Mahalakshmi / Sri Siva Vishnu Temple, Address: 272 High Street North Manor Park London E12 6SA Tel: 020 8552 5082 l Sivayogam Muthumariyamman Temple, 180-186 Upper Tooting Road, Tooting, London SW17 7EJ. Telephone: 020 8767 9881, Fax: 020 8767 2337, Email: info@sivayogam.co.uk

l Eelapateesvarar Aalayam, Address: Ealing Road Wembley Middlesex HA0 4AU Tel: 020 8902 3238 l Shri Sithi Vinayagar Temple, Address: Int.Siddhashram Shakti Centre, Palmerston Road Wealdstone Harrow Middlesex HA3 7RW Tel: 020 8424 9998 l Sivaskanthagiri Murugan Kovil, Address: R/0 13 - 15 Thornton Road Thoronton Heath Croydon Surrey CR7 6BD Tel: 020 8684 0747 l Shree Sakthy Ghanapathy Temple, Address: 21 Brigstock Road Croydon Surrey CR7 7JJ Tel: 020 8689 3466 l Sri Raja Rajeswary Amman Temple, Address: Dell Lane Stoneleigh Surrey KT17 2NE Tel: 020 8393 8147 l Sri Venkateshwara Temple, Dudley Road East, Tividale, West Midlands, B69 3DU. Tel: 0121 544 2256. l Sri Ganapathy Temple - Address: 125 - 133 Effra Road Wimbledon London SW19 8PU. Tel: 020 8542 7482, 020 8542 4141 (This is not an exhaustive list)

($

#% ) "! # %& % $ # !) "!%# &% "!$ ! ' #) $& $$

"# % $%

The Harrow Police & Community Consultative Group !# !

" !

$ #' # ! !! & ! % #

! $!# ! ! % " # &&&

!

#

#

! $

& ! ! !" # !% $

# # '"

" '# $ # $

#

!

# "

!

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

33

Sasi_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 15:57 Page 34

Cultural values shouldn't be forgotten in the chase of success â&#x2013; Kartik.S .Raval asi Sivaganesh came to London in 1992 from Jaffna, Sri Lanka. This was the time when UK was witnessing a growing in-flow of Tamils from various parts of the world and hence the competition was also getting stiff within the community and the larger British society.

Sasi studied BA/BSC at Brunel University in 2001 and then joined Wilson Financial. Though she was enjoying the work, entrepreneurship was always in the blood as she craved to start something of her own. And so she did.

In 2006, Sasi with the help of her husband (Arun) formed Affno Financial and in no more than five years it has established its roots strongly into financial services, mortgage, house and life insurance. She has achieved this in a time span that would be required to only stabilise a new company.

Moreover, with economy being haunted by inflation in the past few years, she has successfully managed to keep her business immune to it. Today Affno Financial provides services to more than 1,000 clients in London but Sasi aims to expand her client database around the UK in the coming years and also expand the services by providing commercial insurance.

Not too many women in the community present in Britain have been able to reach a milestone that Sasi has already, that too with lots of fuel still in store. However, with feet on the ground Sasi feels if her journey so far motivates any woman in the community, that itself would be her greatest achievement. She also reveals that her

S

Sasi Sivaganesh

Although we are far away from our cultural roots and soil of inheritance, I feel it is necessary and part of our responsibility to keep a tab on what is happening back home and always remain a part of it, no matter the situation is good or bad.

8 34

Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar - 2011

brother, Keith's success and knowledge in the field of Finance helped her establish the business rapidly than it would otherwise have.

Though Sasi has lived in London since 19 years, she still maintains a close proximity with her native land and especially with her culture. Also, a lot has been spoken about the children today in various communities being totally detached from their culture. Many parents complain that kids are not interested in knowing about their cultural roots. But, Sasi has a different stand as she comments, â&#x20AC;&#x153;One cannot blame the children if they are not motivated to learn their cultural values. If they grow up here in this environment, how can the parents expect them to be as culturally bound like them. It is rather the duty of the parents to not just chase success but take time out to inculcate the cultural ethos and values by teaching native language, performing religious rituals and whenever possible take them back home for a visit in order to show their children what exactly unites the entire community together. This is significant as this young generation will have the responsibility of taking our community and culture ahead in the coming years.â&#x20AC;? Sasi takes her kid to the temples often and also to Sri Lanka whenever she gets a chance. With music being an integral part of Tamil community, she also wishes to teach her kid Miruthangam.

Vizz_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 15:33 Page 1

Back-Cover_A4 Temp 28/02/2011 17:57 Page 2