Poonjolai Annual Issue 2013 | Page 27

??????? ???????? ???? ???? ?? ??, ???????? ? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ?? I am proud of Missouri Tamil School Hi! My name is Vivika Pandian. This past summer, 2013, my family went to India. I had lots of fun playing with cousins and visiting my family. About half way in the trip, my family went on a temple tour. We went to Thiruvanamalaai and Thirupati. On the way back home we stopped by at a Poompukar Beach. Before my cousins and I started to play in the water, we visited a museum right in front of the beach. It was a museum dedicated to Kankakee and Kovalan. I asked my cousin what was inside the museum because I didn’t know at first, and she told me it is about Kanakee story. Then, I went inside the museum. I saw sculptures and carvings in the wall about the story of Kovalan and Kanakee. I asked my cousin if it was the story about them, and she said yes. Then, I told her that I already knew the story and I was the one who ended up explaining the story to her because I knew it very well which I learned from Tamil School. She asked me how I knew the story, and I told her that in America I go to a Tamil School that teaches Tamil history as well as grammar. My family was amazed because I was an Indian girl who lived in America, who knew the story of Kovalan and Kankakee, Ilango Adigal and Silpathikaram. From going to Tamil School for many years, I learned a lot. Also I am so proud that I can explain more detail to my family members. Thanks to all Tamil school teachers who made difference in my life. Poonjolai 2013 | www.MissouriTamilSangam.org 25