The Bhopal Tamil Association celebrated Pongal with fervour and festivity by observing religious rituals and bonhomie at the Career College Auditorium, BHEl here on Sunday. Home Minister Babulal Gaur was the chief guest of the programme.
The Pongal celebrations included a number of cultural programmes, including bharat natyam and group dance performance by kids.
Home Minister Babulal Gaur said, “I would like to extend my warmest wishes to the Tamil community who are celebrating Pongal.I believe this year’s festivities will be a worthy reflection of the pride felt by Bhopal Tamilian, who make such a great contribution to city’s cultural, social and economic life.”
M Raji, President, Bhopal Tamil Association, said that Pongal is a festival to greet the Sun and welcome him into the lives of people as it liberated them from the extremes of winter. It was not only limited to Tamils, but celebrated in different parts of the country under different names. He urged everyone to develop a spirit of unity and patience. It is an opportunity for younger generation to know about the Pongal celebration with cultural events.
General Secretary of Bhopal Tamil Association A Swami Durai said that hundreds of South Indian families stay in Bhopal and other parts of the State for the past several decades. “Apart from individual celebrations of Pongal, we also organise Tamil New year function every year. It makes us feel at home though we are far away from our native places,” he added.
The festival marked the culmination of a successful harvest and new crop was sown at the start of the season. Pongal festival marks the traditional renewal of links between humans, the deities and nature and the unity of people in worship and thanksgiving for blessings received, with abundant hope for success in the future.
“Pongal is the name of a dish, after which the festival is named,” he said, adding that the dish is prepared by mixing rice with jaggery which is the traditional delicacy of the region. It is also called ‘Tamilghar Thirusal’.
The guest of honour were M Selvendran, MD of MP State Electronics Development Corporation ltd, senior IAS officer M Sibi Chakkravarthy, IPS officer Jayadevan and P Sasikala, HOD in Makhanlal Chaturvedi Unversity.
The Special Guest was P Raju ,Director of Western Group, Shri Ramanatham Sasthri , Priest of Kanchi Mutt, and G Selvam, Director of VIET.
Tamilians, present at the programme, shared their feelings about residing in Bhopal for years. The program also included awards and certificates followed by lunch.