Message
K Shanmugam
Minister for Law
Minister for Foreign Affairs
NUS Tamil Language Society (NUSTLS) has helped to promote the Tamil language, writing
and culture in Singapore. From humble roots in March 1975, the Society has since expanded its scope.
Its successful projects include the annual Tamil Peravai journal, the biennial Sangae Muzhangu, the
Saadhana ‘A’-Level Tuition Project. NUSTLS also successfully hosted the First World Tamil University
Youth Conference last year.
In today’s globalised and highly inter-connected world, it is easy to lose one’s roots and traditions.
Active organisations like NUSTLS are vital in ensuring that the Indian community in Singapore not only
maintains and strengthens its traditions, but also innovates and adapts to the changes taking place all
around us.
NUSTLS however does more than focusing on the Tamil language, and helping to promote
bilingualism in Singapore. It serves as an important platform for Singapore’s Indian community,
particularly for the youth, to come together to discuss ideas and exchange views, on how they want to see
the community develop over the coming years.
The Society also serves a key role in building social cohesion, both within the Indian community
and with other races. Initiatives such as the Saadhana project, Sangae Muzhangu and others, are excellent
examples of how the NUSTLS has helped to develop the capabilities of the community, but also helped
to strengthen inter-race relations in Singapore.
I am heartened to see that the Sangae Muzhangu has grown to be not only the key Tamil stage
production among tertiary students in Singapore, but also an important fixture in Singapore’s increasingly
vibrant arts scene.
I wish the Sangae Muzhangu 2013 success, and all the very best.