Chelva Kanaganayakam

Dear Sir:

I am writing to bring to your notice a factual error in the news item that relates to the Iyal Viruthu ceremony that took place on 3rd June in Toronto to honor Mr. Tarcisius. This event was organized entirely by the Tamil Literary Garden and has no connection whatsoever with the Centre for South Asian Studies, University of Toronto. I shall be thankful if you would make note of this correction.

Sincerely,

Chelva Kanaganayakam
President/ Tamil Literary Garden

ckanagan@chass.utoronto.ca

ஜோசப் நெல்சன்

I wish to bring to your attention the following facts:

TMB Tamilnadu Mercantile Bank Ltd., was established in the 1920s as NADAR BANK in Tuticorin and is one of the foremost private banks in India. Ask about its service to its customers in the Tuticorin belt, compared to other banks especially nationalised banks.It has nearly 200 Branches throughout the country.

You have ridiculed the Nadar community as only todday tappers …what is there to be ashamed of in that? They didn’t beg or robbed anybody! In my view, even if a person is doing a scavenging job, he is superior than the wealthiest businessman in the nation who is cheating the govt.,its employees etc.

In my view, if people are classified in this manner: People with good and higher qualities are higher castes and vice versa. SC/ST people will become higher castes and vice versa.

The words in your letter: “If you donot allow us inside your temple or educational institutions, we will build our own and use them”….these words only show the growing confidence and self respect of Nadars!

You were lamenting about the Nadar tag in christian nadar names. I agree that that should be avoided. But there are savarimuthupillais and anthonysamy pillais as well! May be in southern districts that too in rural areas old people may be feeling proud in attaching Nadar tag to their names. New generation is not interested in such things as in any other community.

I will send your letter to Daily thanthi, Rani & Devi weeklies etc (to my friends) and ask them to publish a befitting reply.

You & thinnai will feel for long for your dubious letter.

I am also sending this to Nadar associations and prepare adequate responses

sijenelson@yahoo.co.in

(தயவு செய்து கடிதங்களை தமிழில் எழுதுமாறு கேட்டுக் கொள்கிறோம். – திண்ணை குழு)