Celebrating 75 years of community service and social cohesion, the Tamils Representative Council (TRC) brought together Ministers, Members of Parliament, community leaders, youth volunteers and representatives from its 42 affiliate organisations for its Platinum Jubilee gala dinner on Sept 19 at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.
The evening’s festivities kicked off on a high note when Prime Minister Lawrence Wong took to the stage with Senior Minister of State for Transport and Law Murali Pillai, and Minister of State for Culture, Community, Youth and Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash, joining musicians in playing traditional Indian drums.
Addressing the gathering, PM Wong stressed that when everyone works together, the Tamil community flourishes and Singapore grows stronger.
He added that no matter how far one progresses in life, remaining deeply rooted in cultural identity and connected to the community is essential, noting that individuals become stronger when giving back to the community that supported them along the way.
Highlighting that a rooted culture is vital for society, PM Wong noted: “When we understand our heritage, when we know the values we stand for, and have a clear sense of who we are, we have greater confidence to engage the world around us.”
He commended community organisations such as the TRC for playing an indispensable role in helping new generations of Singapore Tamils understand their cultural heritage, stay connected to their community, and take pride in both their Tamil and Singaporean identities.
Pointing to the Indian Engagement and Development Initiative, also known as INEI, PM Wong remarked that the committee operates in the very same way TRC brought organisations together 75 years ago.
He recalled that Tamil organisations back then, which had operated separately along religious lines, came together under one roof. He emphasised that this unification did not mean those groups had to give up their unique identities, but rather served as a model for collective strength.
A key highlight of the celebratory evening was the launch of a commemorative digital e-book chronicling TRC’s 75-year history, alongside the unveiling of the council’s refreshed website.
Organising Committee Chairman Mr Mohamed Bilal noted that the milestone celebration event was six months in the making. He highlighted that since its establishment, TRC has served as a strong bridge connecting diverse organisations across Singapore’s Tamil community, bringing together groups with varying noble objectives on the founding principle of “unity in diversity.”
Underscoring the significance of the occasion, TRC President Mr V. Pandiyan said: “Seventy-five years is not merely a measure of time. It is a measure of trust. Our history deserves to be remembered. Our future demands to be imagined.”
Outlining forward-looking plans, Mr Pandiyan shared that TRC is currently drawing up plans to organise an extended ‘Tamils Festival’ next year in close partnership with its 42 affiliate organisations.
Affiliate leaders also expressed strong support for the council’s historical role and future direction.
President of the Life Literary Association (LLA), Ella. Krishnamurthy highlighted that many diverse organisations with different objectives work in a coordinated manner under TRC’s umbrella. He shared that LLA focuses on promoting moral values from classical Sangam literature to students and parents, adding that TRC’s platform allows for effective collaboration and community upliftment.
Mr Raja Mohammed, President of the Singapore Kadayanallur Muslim League, noted that with Tamil standing as one of Singapore’s official languages, TRC will continue to play a pivotal role in contributing to its growth and stability. He added that both organisations share a mutually supportive relationship and regularly participate in each other’s activities.
Echoing these sentiments, Nagapattinam Sangam Secretary Mr Salahuddin Basheer described TRC as an important organisation with a long and rich legacy in Singapore’s Tamil community. “Working alongside such a large organisation to help Tamil people provides great support for us,” Mr Basheer said, adding that the contributions of organisations like TRC remain essential in safeguarding Tamil culture and heritage in Singapore’s multiracial environment.
