Powerful Influences: Tamil Heritage Month
Tamil Heritage Month is observed every January in Canada. Since 2016, the month of January has been dedicated to the Tamil community in order to raise awareness and appreciation for all of the Tamil peoples achievements and contributions up to this point in day. The month of January is also the month in which Tamils across the world celebrate Thai Pongal, popularly known as the Tamil equivalent of Thanksgiving. Thai marks the first day of January in the Tamil Solar Calendar. Thai Pongal is celebrated from Jan 14 - 17 every year. During this time, the Tamil people express their thanks to the sun for shining its light on to Mother Earth. Throughout the rest of the first week of January, Tamils express thanks to everyone and everything who makes our lives not only livable but also delightful. They show their gratitude to farmers and cows in particular. The cow is seen as a divine representative in Hinduism, and as such, the farm animal is revered and protected. Furthermore, milk is an