Celebrating Tamil Heritage Month 2024
Lavanya Kanapathypillai, Biomedical Scientist, Cellular Pathology, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Tamil Heritage Month is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the invaluable contributions of Tamil Biomedical Scientists and laboratory professionals. Tamil is a Dravidian language that's been around for over 2000 years, spoken in places like Sri Lanka, Southern India, Singapore, and by diaspora Tamils. This month offers a unique occasion to embrace our rich cultural heritage and acknowledge the exceptional work of those who operate at the heart of healthcare. This celebration recognises our past and helps shape a more inclusive and promising future for Biomedical Scientists.
Sonia Justinsuthakaran, Biomedical Scientist, Blood Transfusion & Haematology, Charing Cross Hospital
Tamil Heritage Month to me is a way to mark the existence of the Tamil language, culture and people. As one of the oldest languages in the world, I think it is important to remember how special our mother-tongue is and to share a little bit of our culture wherever we go. Whether it's with our colleagues at work, our partner or our children, we have to make sure that with a rich culture like Tamil, we have to keep it alive for as long as we can and enable our future to do so too.
Alagammai Nachiappan, Biomedical Scientist, Biochemistry, Royal Sussex County Hospital.
I work as a Biomedical Scientist in clinical biochemistry at University Hospital Sussex NHS Trust. I am an Indian Tamil who has migrated to the UK and am very pleased to witness Tamil Heritage Month being celebrated at the IBMS. From a young age, I developed a passion for Tamil by reading Thirukural, which describes the art of living sensibly, and poems by Bharathiyar. One of my favourite poems by Bharathiyar is “achamillai achamillai,” which asserts that an individual should not fear under any circumstances. My passion for Tamil has played a key role in my growth and development, contributing to my successful life.
Mathumitha Kumareshan, Final year student - Coventry University
Tamil Heritage Month holds great meaning for me as it is a moment to celebrate the rich history, culture, resilience, and strength of Tamil communities worldwide. It serves to foster a sense of unity and belonging within the global Tamil diaspora. Moreover, this month allows us to reflect on and appreciate the diverse contributions of Tamils, showcasing the enduring spirit that unites us across borders.