The President’s Message
Dear Readers
The senior Tamils society of Peel is going to be 10 years old in April 2009 Once we turn back into the pages of our history we are proud to say that we have achieved many things during this ten year period and the society is fast growing. We started with 75 members in 1999 and now we have achieved the figure of 675. As the President of the Senior Tamils society of Peel I am happy to pen a welcome message in our web page.
Many all over the world may have the chance to read and enjoy the contents of this web a page. I would start my message with two verses from Thirukural written by Thiruvalluvar in Tamil, long before the birth of Christ. The first one refers to “learning” and the second one refers to “Social work”.
“The wealth which never declines
Is not riches but learning.” - verse 400

“Success will come of itself
To the hard social worker” - verse 1024
Building knowledge and helping the society are two major activities that bring in merits and happiness in life. When you become a senior along with your retirement you carry a wealth of knowledge, experience and skills. We have come into this world empty handed. We acquire wealth, Knowledge and experience as we progress in life. We share them with others. An when we bid good bye from this world we leave all what we acquired.
The younger generations in the Asian culture respect the seniors and seek their advice. This may vary from culture to culture but is predominant in Tamil culture. We as seniors should not think that we know everything in life and achieved every aspect in life. What we have learned is only a handful of sand and we have to learn is the size of the world so goes a Tamil saying.
I am proud to put on record that we established an Office and Wellness, Recreational Center last year, with a library and training and indoor games facilities for members to expand their knowledge. These are few of our many steps we have in our vision. A sub committee by the name “Annaiyar Anni” (Mother’s front) too was formed mainly for women members. We also started a monthly Pot Luck lunch meeting for members to share views, exhibit talents and build awareness on Health and community issues. Our targeted figure of the membership for the year 2010 is 1000. I am sure that with the help of members we could easily achieve this figure.
In this year the greatest achievement of the society is the obtaining of two grants, one, the second grant from Ontario Trillium Foundation for Environment projects covering two years and New Horizon grant from Service Canada “ to over come loneliness and developing skills”. We thank the donors. This is not an achievement of an individual. It is the results of a united effort. All members should know that we have committed ourselves to certain objectives in obtaining the grant with details of budget. Hence it is the duty of Board of Directors and members to ensure that the grant is used effectively. Each and every member of the Board with the help of members of the society should work as a team to achieve the objectives within the targeted time frame. There is no room for personal issues. There is no room for ineffective criticisms, by which valuable time is wasted. Constructive views are welcome. As such, each and every board member or member should be well aware of the objectives. The image of the society mainly depends on how we effectively achieve the objectives that will be beneficial to our seniors and Canada. We should preserve the image of the society that was built through the efforts of many.
We organize three cultural events annually to exhibit the skills of seniors with a flavour of multiculturalism. We also annually publish an annual magazine “ Muthuvenil” to exhibit the senior’s creative skills. Six annual Walk a Thons were staged as fund raising events to support the hospitals in Peel region and those affected by Human rights violations in Sri Lanka.
We have partnership with other ethnic associations and community agencies. Cultural and social integration, building awareness, are some of the many issues the Tamil Seniors should seriously consider for the progress of the society. Let us not live as frogs in the well. Let us march together with hands together with a Vision to establish a Tamil Senior’s home in few years’ time. I hope that you will continue to be so industrious in your efforts and I wish you all every success in the future.

Pon Kulendiren
President
Senior Tamils Society of Peel