Vanakkam Thai Pongal
Helen Edward, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Kingston and Surbiton:
"We celebrate Tamil Harvest Festival at Church House, Westminster with 90m Tamils around the world, here in London and Kingston and Surbiton. We celebrate with you and thank you for the valuable skills contribution especially in medicine and science and the cultural heritage you have brought to Britain which we have shared with you tonight on the stage with beautiful dancers and their costumes. At the same time we remember the recent atrocities and the continued campaign for human rights, justice and retribution and pray for a future of peace, respect and the right for self-determination . We support the valuable work on the APPG Tamil Community chaired by Elliot Colburn MP for Carshalton. We continue to make this case and renew our support for the UN resolutions and diplomacy at this important festive celebration of Tamil values . We wish you peace and prosperity. Pongalo Pongal!"
"It was a privilege to be invited to the New Malden Pongal community celebration last Sunday, to wear a saree and a bindi spot, to eat Pongal, watch the traditional dance and to meet our local Tamil Community leaders."
Tamil Heritage Month Celebrations:
As part of Tamil Heritage Month, the Kingston Borough and New Malden community hosted a colourful cultural community event aimed at celebrating the rich heritage of the Tamil people, highlighting the contributions of the Tamil diaspora to British society and local community, fostering a greater understanding of Tamil history, traditions, and achievements.
Tamil Remembrance:
In addition to celebrating cultural heritage and festivals, Tamil communities will observe moments of reflection during Tamil Remembrance. This solemn occasion serves as a reminder of the challenges and sacrifices faced by the Tamil community, emphasising the importance of justice, reconciliation, and a collective commitment to addressing historical injustices.
In a recent All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Westminster debate, Members of Parliament including Elliot Colburn Conservative MP Carshalton (Chair) and Paul Scully Conservative MP Sutton gathered to discuss the pressing issue of Tamil Persecution and Justice, coinciding with the November Remembrance Ceremony at Excel where Conservative MPs Elliot Colburn and Bob Blackman and Candidate Helen Edward spoke to a large audience ahead of this month's observance of Tamil Heritage and the traditional January festival of Thai Pongal. The debate underscored the importance of international attention and collective efforts to address the challenges faced by the Tamil community.
The APPG debate, available for viewing here, brought together lawmakers, community leaders, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to delve into the issues surrounding Tamil persecution and the pursuit of justice. The discussions shed light on the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to address the historical and ongoing challenges faced by the Tamil population.
Helen Edward said,
" The recent APPG debate in the House of Commons underscores the urgency of addressing Tamil persecution and seeking justice. As we celebrate Tamil Heritage Month and Thai Pongal, it is crucial to recognize the resilience of the Tamil community and advocate for their rights."
