Indian-origin minister Indrani Rajah highlights the importance of Tamil as a mother tongue in Singapore, advocating for its early exposure to children. She underscores the need for active usage and constant exposure to keep the language vibrant. The Tamil Language Festival, launched by Rajah, celebrates Tamil culture and heritage, fostering connections and pride within the community.
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#Singaporenews #Singapore #Tamillanguage #Tamil #TamilLanguageFestival #IndraneeRajah #SingaporeTamil #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews
~HT.99~PR.152~ED.155~
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NewsTranscript
00:00 In Singapore, the significance of Tamil is rising day by day.
00:06 Now it has been given the title of "mother tongue" by an Indian origin minister stressing
00:12 its role as one of the state's four official languages.
00:16 Indrani Raja, a minister in the Prime Minister's office, is now proposing the need for children
00:21 to be exposed to Tamil language from a young age, emphasising its value as a cultural link
00:27 among Tamil people.
00:29 Raja emphasises that Tamil language should not be merely studied but actively used as
00:34 a living lesson advocating for constant exposure through various mediums like television, social
00:39 media and even print.
00:42 She believes that this approach will keep the language vibrant and alive within the
00:46 community.
00:48 The Tamil Language Council (TLC) in Singapore has been actively pushing the Tamil language
00:53 in the state.
00:54 Recently, it has been organising Tamil Language Festival TLF for the last 18 years aiming
00:59 to uphold the rich legacy of this language.
01:03 The TLF was launched by Raja and it serves as a platform to celebrate Tamil language
01:08 and culture, fostering a sense of connection with heritage and identity among the generations.
01:14 This year's festival-themed capability spans from March 30 to April 28, featuring 47 diverse
01:19 programmes aimed at inspiring innovation and harnessing collective strength within the
01:24 Tamil community.
01:25 The Minister's advocacy for Tamil language now echoes broader effects to preserve the
01:29 linguistic diversity and cultural heritage in Singapore.
01:33 By nurturing linguistic connection and promoting cultural engagement, initiatives like the
01:37 Tamil Language Festival contribute to foster a sense of belonging and pride within the
01:42 Tamil community and enriching the multicultural fabric of Singaporean society.
01:48 For the unaware, the Tamil community constitutes the largest portion of the South Indian population
01:53 in Singapore.
01:54 Originating from Tamil Nadu, the South Indians and Northern Sri Lankan, many Tamils migrated
01:59 to Singapore in the 19th century for employment and trade opportunities.
02:03 Recently, Tamils comprise approximately 5% of Singapore's total population and it is
02:09 constantly rising, with the majority practising Hinduism alongside Christian and Muslim adherents.
02:16 Through initiatives like the Tamil Language Festival and now these proposals, Singapore
02:19 continues to celebrate its linguistic diversity and promote cultural understanding and appreciation
02:25 among its diverse population.
02:34 (electronic music)