Chevalier Dr. S.A. Adaikalamuthu, PhD ( University of Jaffna
(Amuthu Pulavar),) a highly accomplished Tamil poet, writer
and educationist, a former teacher and Principal passed away
peacefully at Northwick Park Hospital in London , England on
Tuesday morn- ing February 23, 2010. He is the son of the Late
Sethupillai Saverimuthu and Getrudamma, and beloved husband
of the Late Theresa Adaikalamuthu and the affectionate brother
of the Late Sinnapunayagam, Gnanapoo Ramanathan and Alexis
Sebaratnam and the ever loving father of Bhanumathy, Inthumathy,
Kanthimathy, Sebastian Nehru, Rev. Dr. Joseph Chandrakanthan,
Jeyamathy, Dr. Vasanthakumar, Ilanchelian, Rubia and Amutharasan
and most loving grand father of Beulin, Marylin, Tyrone, Jonathan,
Bindu, Rajkanthan, Caroline, Prasha, Rajiv, Ryan, Mark, Rick,
Georgina, Winston, Jessica, Zeta, Shelica, Clinton, Shaun, Edith,
Cynthia, Emlyn, Shibon and Tresha and the great grand father of
Sophie, Isabella and Joani and loving father in law of Keerthisingam,
Samsonroy, Selvarajah, Murali Joachimpillai, Bibiana, Sumithra, Jolita
and the Late Judith.
March 9, 2010
Chevalier Dr. S.A. Adaikalamuthu, PhD ( University of Jaffna (Amuthu Pulavar),)
Amuthu Pulavar, veteran of Christian Tamil literature passes away
Chevalier Dr. S. Adaikala- muthu, Tamil pundit and poet from I ‘lavaalai, Jaffna, known by his pseudonym Amuthup-pulavar, passed away at the age of 92 in London, on Feb 23. Studied classi- cal Tamil at the prestigious Kaaviya Paadasaalai (School of Classics), which was functioning in the Arumuga Navalar School in Jaffna, Amuthup Pulavar was one of the few surviving authors of Christian Tamil literature of the traditional genre. Born in 1918 and beginning his poetic pursuits in 1938, his most known literary work was Madu Maathaa Kaaviyam, a poetic composition on the famous Catholic pilgrim centre at Madu in Mannaar. He was knighted (Chevalier) by the Late Pope John Paul II in Rome in 2004 and in the same year was awarded honorary doctorate by the University of Jaffna. Early this month he addressed a grand function arranged in London to facilitate him and to release the publication of 1600- paged complete works of him.
Amuthup Pulavar had his early education at St Henry ’s of I ‘lavaalai and at St. Patrick ’s of Jaffna. He was trained as a teacher at Kozhumpuththu ‘rai Teacher Training College. He became a Tamil Pundit, a title conferred by the Education Ministry of Ceylon, after studies at Kaaviya Paadasaalai. He was a student of late pro- fessors Kanapathipillai, Chelva- nayagam and Vidynanthan during his diploma days at the University of Peradeniya. Dr. Adaikalamuthu was the biographer of Nalloor Swamy Gnanapragasar (1975) and was the author of a book on the Origin and Development of Tamil Siddha Ayurveda Medical Practice in Eezham (1983). Both the publica- tions received the Sahitya Academy awards. In 1984, the retired teacher and school principal residing in I ‘lavaalai was forced to move to London. During early 20th century the Kaaviya Paadasaalai in Jaffna, having Chunnaakam Kumara- swamy Pulavar as its presiding teacher, was a prestigious seat for Tamil learning, looked upon with awe even by scholars in Tamil Nadu. It was the first school start- ed by natives of Jaffna to locally confer Tamil Pundit title. Ananda K Coomaraswamy, U V Saaminaatha Aiyar and the editors of the Madras Tamil Lexicon were some of the admirers of the school and the scholarship it gen- erated in those days.
The school attracted students from all parts of the island. Pulavarma ‘ni Periyathampip Pillai from Batticaloa was one of its first students passed out in 1902. Pa ‘ndithama ‘ni Kanapathippillai was the last student studied under Kumaraswamy Pulavar in 1921. Dr. Adaikalamuthu was a stu- dent of Pa ‘ndithama ‘ni Kanapathi- ppillai and Pulavar Ilamuraganar of Navaali (son of Somasundarap pulavar) in traditional norms of Tamil poetry. After the times of Kumara- swamy pulavar, the education department of the British govern- ment and later the governments of Ceylon and Sri Lanka took over examination procedure and con- ferment of the Pundit title. The Arumuga Navalar School, the trust of which was running the Kaaviya Paadasaalai, was taken over by the independent govern- ment of the island and it is reduced to an intermediary school today. Yet as long as Vidvan Subbaiah Pillai and Seetharama Sastri were alive, the Kaaviya Paadasaalai lingered as a separate entity functioning only in the weekends, coaching students for Pundit examinations even in the late decades of 20th century. We have no idea of its present status.
Elizabeth Nesamma Tharumalingam
Elizabeth Nesamma Tharuma- lingam was the eldest child of Senator Mudaliyar and Mrs. AB Rajendra in Colombo, Sri Lanka. She was educated at Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena. During the times when women were not educated beyond grade eight, Elizabeth was successful in pursuing a University BA degree in English at the University of Ceylon in 1945.
She excelled in her university career and graduat- ed in 1948 becoming the first woman graduate from Kotahena. She was offered a teaching posi- tion at Good Shepherd Convent in the same year. In 1949, Elizabeth married Mr V Tharumalingam, an accountant who eventually became an Advocate and Attorney at Law.
It was a grand wedding held at the historic St. Lucia ’s Cathedral, Kotahena. It was a renowned wedding attended by the then Governor General Sir Oliver Gunatillake and the Prime Minister DS Senanayake, who were the attesting witnesses. Mr. and Mrs. Tharumalingam were blessed with seven wonderful children who excelled in educa- tion and became doctors, an engi- neer, a lawyer, accountants and a teacher.
At Good Shepherd Convent, Elizabeth was a proud teacher who helped to mould the charac- ter of many children in a career that spanned over 30 years. In 1989, she migrated to Canada to join her children and was elected the first president of the Past Pupils Association of Good Sheppard Convent. She was a talented poet and her retired life in Canada was spent on exclusive contempla- tions of poetry.
Her poem ‘To my dear brother Jeyam, ‘ which was composed at the untimely death of her brother, was chosen to be included in the international library of poetry. She was also the author of ‘Random Gleanings ‘ (two compilations). Elizabeth had seventeen grandchildren, who have and who are also excelling in their careers and educations, and of whom she was greatly proud. In her later years, due to her gradually failing health, she died peacefully on 25th February 2010.
A Life Well Lived Nagaratnam (Siva) Sivalingam - 1940 to 2010
For Close to 45 years, Canada was home to Nagaratnam (Siva) Sivalingam. The Canada he left behind this week is drasti- cally different than the Canada to which he immigrated in 1966. At that time, he was a minority - there were very few people who looked like him, spoke like him, dressed like him, and prayed like him. He would be a transformative force in the Tamil community. He would go onto build a com- munity, the Tamil community, so that all of us can embrace the great things about Canada, while, proudly, hold- ing onto our roots and values. He was not just a pioneer; he was a community builder. Over the course of these four and a half decades, he built one institution after another, most of them stand- ing tall today as the servants of this community and as monuments to the enduring work of Mr. Sivalingam and his peers. Amongst his many achievements - he was the founding president of the Tamil Eelam Society of Canada (TESOC), an advocacy, turned, social service agency serving the community for over 30 years, a founding director of the Canadian Foundation for Tamil Refugee Rehabilitation (CAFTARR), a Registered Canadian Charity assisting refugees in Sri Lanka, and a founding trustee of the Hindu Temple Society of Canada, the largest Saiva Temple in North America.
In between building these institutions, he repre- sented the interests of Tamil Canadians at numerous municipal, provincial and fed- eral community service meet- ings, including, the South Asian Consultative Committee (Toronto Police Services), Canadian Immigration and Citizenship forums, and City of Toronto and York Region Race Relations and anti-racism con- ferences. Mr. Sivalingam was a strong believer in the religious and spiritual development of the Saiva community in Canada. He was one of the founding trustees of the Hindu Temple Society of Canada, and has served in the past as the president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary. Mr. Sivalingam was the Vice President of the World Saiva Council (Canada Branch) and the Chair of the Federation of Ontario Saiva Organizations. Mr. Sivalingam was also actively involved in the estab- lishment of the Canada Saivite Council for Spiritual Care in Healthcare.
The honorary title of “Arudpani Arulaalar ” (Provider of Divine Duties) was conferred upon him by the trustees, priests, volun- teers and devotees of the Hindu Temple Society of Canada in January 2000. These achievements and accolades fail to capture the true spirit of the man. He was a simple and hum- ble human being. He never made his point by shouting, but convinced them with his sheer honesty, sense of fair- ness, and determination. He was simply motivated by doing the right thing, day in and day out. He is often seen wearing his trademark Vesti and National at many functions in Toronto, be it on the coldest day in February or a warm summer ’s night. He unequivocally believed in the Tamil people, not just in Canada, but around the world. He supported the rights of Tamils in Sri Lanka to live in peace, dignity and with agency. To this end, he pas- sionately defended and worked towards their free- dom. In Canada, he ensured that Tamils could live in dignity and equality.
He consistently defended the rights of Tamils with every level of govern- ment and at every juncture. He has always been a strong and salient force, and a focal point in the community. He made great efforts to ensure that people worked together - not for their own good, but for that of the community. He was always a true Canadian. He believed in Canadian values of democra- cy, transparency, peace and justice. He believed in a just society - the type of society he would help build. He lived, and helped define this just society - a society and com- munity in which we can all take pride. He was engaged at every level of civil society and took his responsibility as a regular citizen to heart. He would vote at every election. He would go to endless meet- ings to understand the issues from different viewpoints.
He encouraged his children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces to give back to this community and country in every possible way. Mr. Sivalingam was born to a family of six, heralding from the academically and cultural- ly rich Town of Elavalai, Jaffna. He pursued his studies at St. Henry ’s College Elavalai, and Mahajana College in Tellipallai. He studied architecture in England and at the St. George Campus of the University of Toronto. Mr. Sivalingam was married to Jegajenany Sivalingam for 39 years. They have two daughters, Sivajini and Harini, and three grand- children, Ganatheeban, Priyatharshini, and Bairavi. Professionally, he practiced as an architect at several major Canadian firms, prior to start- ing his own firm. He retired in 2008. Mr. Sivalingam is the recip- ient of numerous awards to recognize his contributions and achievements, including Thamilar Thagaval Award for community service in February 1992, Thamilar Thagaval Man of the Decades Award, February 2000, Jaffna St. Patricks College Alumni Association Award for promo- tion of Religion, July 2000, and the Canadian Tamil Youth Development Centre (CanTYD) Lifetime Achievement Award, November 2003.
He is a patron to a number of organi- zations, a volunteer at many other organizations, and is a member of several organiza- tions, including the Canadian Tamil Congress. He died peacefully on March 2, 2010, at Centennary Hospital in Scarborough, sur- rounded by his siblings, chil- dren and his beloved wife with the sounds of Aum Nama Shivaya echoing in the back- ground. May his soul attain freedom and may we all take inspiration from a life well lived. —Aum—
September 14, 2009
US Tamils mourn passing of Senator Kennedy
“The loss of Sen. Kennedy is particularly grave for Tamils at this time when hope is hard to fi nd. Tamil Americans take comfort always in his inspiring words “…the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.””, says a recent media release by The US Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC), on mourning the passing away of the United States Senator from Massachusettes, Sen. Edward Kennedy. It added, “Our members from Massachusetts who were his constituents and supported him in many elections are particularly fi lled with sadness at his loss.” The media release further said: Sen. Kennedy for many years carried the torch of tolerance, an appreciation for diversity and an understanding of the need for the respect for democracy and human rights not just here in the US, but also in the rest of the world. Standing for these values has been particularly important during the all-or-nothing periods of the Cold War and its successor, the War on Terror, when fear and hatred of the ‘other’ threatened to overwhelm these core American beliefs. According to Sen. Kennedy, “Ultimately, America’s answer to the intolerant man is diversity, the very diversity which our heritage of religious freedom has inspired.” These are important words both for America and many confl ict-ridden parts of the world, including Sri Lanka. We echo Amnesty International USA’s statement that “the world has lost an active supporter of human rights around the globe, especially in the United States. He worked tirelessly on behalf of people whose voices were never heard, whose plights were hidden from view and whose well-being was ignored… From advancing reforms on immigrant detention, to championing healthcare as a right for all Americans, to pushing for torture victims’ relief, to pressing for humanitarian aid for refugees around the world including the most recent confl ict in Sri Lanka, to defending the rule of law, Senator Kennedy always knew and acted to end the misery of those who were suffering… [The Kennedy family legacy of helping the disempowered remains vital and vibrant.” The 300,000 Tamils interred indefi - nitely in 21st century concentration camps in Sri Lanka will miss Sen. Kennedy’s concern, as will all Tamil Americans. President John F. Kennedy (R), is pictured with his brothers, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and Senator Edward M. Kennedy (C), outside the Oval Offi ce at the White House in this picture taken on August 28, 1963. U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, a towering fi gure in the Democratic Party who took the helm of one of America’s most fabled political families after two older brothers were assassinated, died on August 26, 2009 at age 77, his family said.
Late US Senator’s Memoir Talks of Personal, Public Tragedies
In his much anticipated autobiography, the late U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy discusses his public and personal tragedies, including the 1969 car accident that killed a female passenger. The New York Times says it has obtained a copy of the memoir, True Compass, which is scheduled to be released on September 14. The veteran lawmaker died August 25 at the age of 77, after a year-long battle with brain cancer. In July 1969, Kennedy drove off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island, off the Massachusetts coast. He managed to escape, but his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne was found dead in the submerged car. The Times says Kennedy writes that he was dazed and panicked in the minutes and hours after the accident, but called his actions “inexcusable.” He did not report the accident until after Kopechne’s body was discovered the next morning. He said he made “terrible decisions” that night that haunted him the rest of his life. Kennedy pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident. In the book, he also candidly discusses his years of “self-destructive drinking,” especially after the 1968 assassination of his brother, Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Edward Kennedy says Robert grieved so deeply over the 1963 assassination of their older brother, President John F. Kennedy, that it nearly became a “tragedy within a tragedy.” The younger Kennedy says he always accepted the fi ndings of a special investigation into the late president’s murder, which concluded the accused assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, acted alone. Edward Kennedy was buried Saturday, August 29th near his older brothers at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington. Much of the material in the book comes from hours of recordings for an oral history project he was doing with the University of Virginia since 2004, as well as fi ve decades of notes taken by Senator Kennedy.
Brain Cancer May Not Always Mean Death
By Carol Pearson The recent death of Senator Edward Kennedy made many people more aware of brain cancer, in particular malignant gliomas, the aggressive form of brain cancer that ended Senator Kennedy’s life. Malignant gliomas are the most common type of brain cancer. Few patients survive more than a year and a half after diagnosis. At Duke University, Dr. John Sampson says the poor outcome is partly due to the many different types of cells in brain cancers. “While one cell may be susceptible to chemotherapy and another susceptible to radiation, there may be a third cell that is susceptible to neither of those standard therapies,” Dr. Sampson said. Some doctors hold out hope, if not for a cure, for a longer life. VOA reported earlier that Dr. Marcus Bredel at Northwestern University has identifi ed certain genes that may help some patients survive longer, and other genes within the tumor that resist treatment and continue growing. “We were able to predict the survival of glioblastoma (brain cancer) patients in a couple of populations across the United States,” he said. Twenty-four-year old P. J. Lukac is one of the researchers. He has glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain cancer. “When I started in the lab it was a very surreal experience because they talk about uniform fatality, they talk about inevitable recurrences of the cancer, and that kind of just hits you,” Lukac said. But he is also hopeful. “I think in my lifetime we will see glioblastoma become a chronic and manageable disease,” he added. Surgery is still the preferred option to remove as much of the tumor as possible. But a new treatment involves using fi ber-optic laser probes placed inside the brain tumor. With a burning hot laser, doctors can destroy cancerous tissue they may not be able to reach during conventional surgery. Doctors Gene Barnett and Steven Jones use fi ber optic lasers at the Cleveland Clinic. “This [the procedure] allows us to steer the laser in different directions, to treat larger areas of tumor and protect normal brain,” Dr. Barnett said. “We can monitor the temperature rise in the tumor second by second while we’re scanning the patient. And better than that, we can see where we are killing the tumor,” explained Dr. Jones. “The beauty of the system, is that it allows us to turn off the laser just when the heat wave would reach the Brain Cancer May Not Always Mean Death P. J. Lukac There are many types of cells in brain cancer, which could hamper treatment con- Bar- ex- Senator Edward Kennedy (February 22, 1932 – August 25, 2009) In this Nov. 17, 2008 fifi le photo, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy returns to Capitol Hill in Washington, after having brain surgery. point where it would cause harm to normal tissue,” Dr. Barnett said. Vaccines are also in clinical trials. The vaccines could help the body’s immune system attack the brain cancer cells. “There are studies to date with our vaccine. It appears patients are surviving at least twice as long as we expected,” Dr. Sampson said. Ryan DeGrand receives a vaccine once a month for his brain cancer. He has now survived fi ve years. “The vaccine to me … is a way for me to stay the way that I am today,” he said. Researchers are also experimenting with drugs to choke off the blood supply to brain cancers. Initial studies show they can shrink the tumors by up to 60 percent. Many doctors say using several treatments in combination soon after diagnosis will probably be the best way to fi ght brain cancer. ` [voa news]
President Obama Remembers Senator Kennedy as Colleague, Mentor, Friend
U.S. President Barack Obama delivered a eulogy for Senator Ted Kennedy Saturday Aug 29th, honoring one of his mentors not only as a political champion, but as a man of personal fortitude and compassion. Speaking at a Catholic service in Boston, in the northeastern U.S. state of Massachusetts, Mr. Obama said Kennedy became the “greatest legislator of our time” by seeking compromise. He also praised his “spirit of resilience” which allowed him to overcome pain and tragedy, and his much-publicized personal failings. Kennedy was the patriarch of America’s most famous political family, and his funeral drew many members of the Washington elite. Former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush attended, with more than 60 current and former U.S. Senators. Kennedy’s casket is being fl own to Washington, DC, to be driven by motorcade past the U.S. Capitol, before proceeding to Arlington National Cemetery. He is to be buried there near the graves of his assas- sinated brothers, President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy. Edward “Ted” Kennedy died on Aug 25th at the age of 77 from brain cancer. Serving for 47 years as a Democrat in the Senate, Kennedy was known as the “liberal lion”, taking positions that often angered his conservative counterparts. But lawmakers who worked with him have praised his ability to reach across party lines on important issues like civil rights, health care and education. His funeral follows several days of memorials during which Kennedy’s fellow Democrats, along with Republicans united in paying him tribute. Former political foe and personal friend, Republican Senator Orrin Hatch said he had battled Kennedy for 33 years, and “enjoyed every minute of it. Vice President Joe Biden said Kennedy changed the way Americans look at those who are different from them, with greater tolerance for those differences. Tributes also have come from other world leaders, highlighting Kennedy’s dedication to human rights and his work to end apartheid in South Africa. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown did not attend the funeral, but wrote in Boston Globe that Kennedy is being mourned as a “great internationalist” who inspired social progress in every country. [voa news]
July 8, 2009
Former Governor General of Canada passes away
The Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc became Governor General of Canada on February 8, 1995, following a long and distinguished career of public service. An Acadian born in Memramcook, New Brunswick in 1927, he was the first Governor General from the Maritimes. He earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education at ‘Université St-Joseph, Memramcook and studied French Civilization at l’Université de Paris. He also holds a number of honorary degrees. Mr. LeBlanc spent nine years as a teacher. He quickly developed strong beliefs about the important role educators play in our society, which he continues to hold today. In 1960, he turned to journalism, working as a correspondent for Radio-Canada. This led to Mr. LeBlanc serving as Press Secretary to Prime Ministers Lester B. Pearson and Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Mr. LeBlanc was elected to the House of Commons in 1972, representing the riding of Westmorland-Kent in New Brunswick. He was a cabinet minister from 1974 to 1979 and 1980 to 1984. As Canada’s longest-serving fisheries minister, Mr. LeBlanc won a lasting reputation as a friend of the fishermen. He helped to establish Canada’s 200-mile fishing limit and to shape the International Law of the Sea. Under his leadership, conservation and resource management encouraged strong growth in the fishing industry during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Mr. LeBlanc became a Senator in 1984 and was appointed Speaker of the Senate in 1993. The Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc passed away on June 24, 2009.
Tributes flow for Australian Tamil doctor killed in car crash
Hundreds of Australians have paid tribute to Dr Naguarebun “Ruban” Armugam, a Tamil paediatrician tragically killed last week in a tragic road accident in Australia on 22 June. The 32-yearold Paediatrician was commemorated Monday at a moving funeral as tributes from politicians, colleagues, former patients and members of the community marked a week of mourning. Armugan, described in the Daily Telegraph as a “genuine life saver”, was killed whilst returning from a gruelling weekend shift where he had saved the life of a child at Dubbo Base Hospital, 5 hours away from his home in Sydney. Politicians from all sides of Australian politics expressed their condolences, with National MP Mark Coulton highlighting the contribution that Dr Arumugam to the people of western New South Wales in parliament days after his death. “I would like to acknowledge my sadness for his wife (…) parents, and his brother” Coulton added, describing in detail Ruban’s efforts in saving a premature baby and diagnosing a child with leukaemia only hours before his car veered off the road in the rural town of Mudgee. Doctor Rubans death has ignited national debate over the long hours faced by medical practitioners, with Parliamentary Secretary for Health Mark Butler saying the tragedy highlighted the long hours, intense travel and dangers doctors faced in “helping others maintain their health and well being”. “He was extremely busy at Dubbo Hospital but despite the business and stress of the jobs, he was always a kind and humane person to his colleagues and his patients”, said colleague Dr Nadanachandran at the funeral, sentiments echoed by dozens of former patients who called up the hospital and voiced their despair after hearing the news. A champion for the rights of Tamils in Sri Lanka’s North East, Ruban was described as an “inspirational figure” by the members of the youth Diaspora, who have labelled him a “role model of dedication and humanity”. Arriving from Sri Lanka in the early nineties, Arumugam graduated from the University of New South Wales in 2002, before completing his Paediatric residence at Westmead Children’s Hospital in 2008. Ruban was on the last week of his secondment at Dubbo, and was known for his exceptional skills, compassion and modesty.