In conjunction with Tamil Language Festival 2011, Tamils Representative Council (TRC) organised a forum "Progress with Tamil" on Saturday 9 April 2011 at The Grassroots Club to create awareness amongst Tamil pupils on the importance of developing Tamil language skills. The forum was supported by Tamil Language Council (TLC), Tamil Language Learning & Promotion Committee (TLLPC) and Cantonment Primary School.

The forum aims to emphasize the importance of spoken Tamil and explore ways to encourage and increase the usage of the language. The forum also served as a stage to launch the involvement of our Community leaders in encouraging the use of the language as a fun and modern language and that our students or youths should not shy away or be afraid in using the language.

More than 500 students from various schools from Primary 5 & 6, Sec 1 & 2 participated in this interactive forum and benefited from it. The students’ involvement and presence served as a springboard for them to speak the language and use it in their everyday life. About 150 Teachers, Parents and Community Leaders were also present. This year we also had about 20 Junior College students participating in the event.

Guest Speakers were Mr T Raja Segar, CEO of Singapore Indian Development Association, Dr Annitha Annathurai, Consultant Emergency Physican, Department of Emergency Medicine of Singapore General Hospital and Mr S Gunasegaran, New Media Trainer of Temasek Polytechnic. Highlight of the event was the number of students clamouring to ask questions and willing to speak in Tamil. About 16 students with best question were presented with cash vouchers.

In addition to the Forum, we also wish to highlight that Apple Inc and Adobe Inc supported the event by setting up display booths to showcase their latest gadgets and offering their products at discounted rates. This was done to create an awareness that Technology and the Tamil Language can go hand in hand.

 

Vasantham News