In Singapore, an individual of Indian descent, serving as a minister, has underscored the significance of the Tamil language as a native tongue, highlighting the necessity of acquainting children with one of the four sanctioned languages in the affluent city-state.

The educational framework in Singapore promotes native languages as secondary mediums of instruction in schools, encompassing not only Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, and other prominent Indian dialects but also Tamil, Malay, and Chinese (Mandarin).

It is imperative to ensure that our progeny are consistently immersed in the Tamil language, remarked Indranee Rajah, a minister within the Prime Minister’s Office. She asserted that Tamil serves as a conduit that unifies all Tamil-speaking individuals.

Rajah emphasized that language should be imbibed as a dynamic experience, contending that it cannot be merely absorbed through theoretical study but must be actively employed. Whether through television, social platforms, or printed media, as long as the language is being heard, comprehended, and utilized from a tender age, its vitality can be preserved, Rajah articulated, as reported by the weekly publication Tabla! on Friday.

In order to uphold the esteemed heritage of the Tamil language in Singapore, the Tamil Language Council (TLC) has orchestrated the Tamil Language Festival (TLF) for the past 18 years. Rajah inaugurated this year’s TLF last Saturday. She had previously stressed the importance of each generation maintaining a connection with their native language, thereby preserving their cultural inheritance and identity.

Under the overarching theme of Capabilities, the TLC’s endeavors this year span from March 30 to April 28, encompassing 47 diverse programs. The chosen theme aims to inspire the development of inventive initiatives while leveraging our collective proficiencies, elucidated TLC’s chairperson S Manogaran.

A majority exceeding 65 percent of the programs have been orchestrated by the younger demographic, fostering heightened engagement with the Tamil language among the youth through artistic, cultural, and literary ventures. Many of today’s youth are discovering a newfound purpose in learning and utilizing Tamil; a considerable portion of the programs is tailored to cater to them, as stated by Manogaran in Tabla!