During his ongoing visit to the United States, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin made a heartfelt appeal to non-resident Tamils to reconnect with their roots by visiting Tamil Nadu with their children at least once a year. Addressing a gathering organized by Chicago-based Tamil associations on September 7, Stalin expressed gratitude for the community’s love and support, emphasizing the importance of Tamil identity and heritage.
“Our biggest identity is that we are the children of Mother Tamil,” Stalin stated, underscoring the deep cultural connection shared by Tamils worldwide. He highlighted his government’s efforts to support Tamil people across the globe through the Department of Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils, which aims to strengthen ties between the diaspora and their homeland.
Stalin urged the attendees to bring their children to Tamil Nadu and educate them about the region’s rich history and cultural heritage. He specifically encouraged visits to significant archaeological sites such as Sivakalai, Korkai, and Porunai, as well as the Keeladi museum, which showcases evidence of a literate, urbanized Tamil civilization dating back 4,000 years.
“The only request I put to you is this: Come with your children to Tamil Nadu at least once a year. Show them the sky, the museum, which is a symbol of our history. Take them to Sivakalai, Korkai, and Porunai. Do whatever you can for Tamil Nadu,” Stalin urged, adding, “Tell your wards that one of our family members is the Chief Minister here, and he is Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin.”
Referring to the archaeological findings in Keeladi, located in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga district, Stalin reiterated the importance of recognizing Tamil Nadu’s ancient history. He called for the history of the Indian subcontinent to be rewritten to reflect the region’s advanced civilization and literacy, which existed thousands of years ago.
Stalin also highlighted the Tamil Nadu government’s cultural initiative, the ‘Vergalai Thedi Thittam’ (In Pursuit of Roots Scheme), which offers young Tamils living abroad a guided tour of archaeological sites and places of cultural significance in Tamil Nadu. The program, launched in Singapore on May 24, 2023, recently helped a participant from Myanmar reconnect with her extended family in the state.
The Chief Minister emphasized the unity and talent of the Tamil diaspora, urging them to live in harmony and avoid divisions. “You have come up to these higher positions by your talent. Tamils are not frogs that live in the well. You are a sign that the Tamils will live in the face of talent,” he said.
Stalin also pointed to his government’s initiatives to support non-resident Tamils, including the establishment of a welfare board and the observance of January 12 as Diaspora Day. He reiterated that his administration, rooted in the Dravidian Model, serves as a protective shield for Tamils worldwide, aiming to unify them beyond caste and religious differences.
The Chief Minister’s visit to the US, which began on August 27, has focused on attracting investments to Tamil Nadu.