Issue 11 : Tamil Diaspora and Identity
Issue 11 : Tamil Diaspora and Identity
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Post-Panel Discussion
How can we strengthen the identity of the Tamil Diasporas locally and / or worldwide ?
Recommendation 1 : Cultural Exchange Programmes in University
• Professors from the South Asian Department can collaborate with different Tamil educational institutes worldwide e . g . Mauritius , Sri Lanka to organise a cultural exchange programme .
• Conclude the cultural exchange programme with a drama or video production , showcasing the Tamil cultures in both countries . This enable sharing of experiences with regards to the variable Tamil diasporas and promotes understanding of one ’ s Tamil identity in a wholesome manner .
• This programme can be extended to pre-university students as well , where it can be made compulsory as a segment of their curriculum .
Recommendation 3 : Creation of an International Book
• This book will consist of the various Tamil slangs and modifications used across the world . It should be a ground-up initiative starting with Tamils in Singapore and slowly extending to our fellow Tamil diasporas in Sri Lanka , Mauritius etc .
• Apart from being made available in hardcopy , certain lines in this book can be read and recorded by Tamils from different diasporas to showcase the richness of the Tamil identity . These recordings can be uploaded on social media platforms for greater reach .
Recommendation 4 : Improvement of Tri-University Camp
• The current tri-university camp brings together the NUS Tamil Language Society , NTU Tamil Literary Society and SMU Tamizha .
• Apart from just conducting bonding activities , this camp could reach out to polytechnics and ITEs to form a network of Tamil youths .
• Tamil Language Council can tap on this network to create youth-oriented cultural events at theTamil Language Festival annually .
Recommendation 5 : Theatre in Curriculum
• Incorporate Tamil theatre as part of the curriculum in secondary schools and beyond . Apart from exposing students to the nuances of theatre , they will learn more about the Tamil language and its rich literature .
• These theatrical experiences can be brought together by a local Tamil Film Festival , which will bridge Tamil students from various institutions together and hopefully , strengthen the Tamil identity .