By Suchitra Srinivas
With 65 regional Tamil Sangams, including 6 from Canada and 3 more to join soon, FeTNA is a strong organization of the Tamil diaspora in the region. Besides providing the cultural connection FeTNA’s philanthropy needs a mention.
FeTNA through its 40 different committees works for different causes and these committees are well represented by volunteers from different Tamil Sangams and this diversity of representation makes the reach of the organization far and wide.
“FeTNA in its journey in the first 30 years was engaged in organizing cultural events and offering a platform to the Tamil Diaspora to come together. They were always standing ready to raise their voice for issues that would affect the diaspora. The last five years saw a focus shift. More active charity work is taking over. Especially charity being extended to the motherland. Last year for TN Corona relief alone we could raise about $2 million jointly with all other Tamil organizations like TNF, ATEA, Indiaspora, IITMAANA, and others,” said Bala Swaminathan, the incoming president of FeTNA.
Focus on Thaai Tamil Palli in helping the schools improve their infrastructure and facilities gathered momentum. “We have been able to fund and help 20 Tamil medium schools in the state. FeTNA has set up a special committee to look into this need and has successfully donated more than $ 100,000,” said Bala.
In yet another effort FeTNA committee that looked into women’s education identified that lack of toilet facilities kept the girl children out of schools in remote places in the state. “To address this we have built toilets for schools in Srivilliputhur in Tamil Nadu. Even adding one toilet in these places could transform the lives of so many girls,” said Bala.
FeTNA has also helped Payir.org, an NGO that helps in teaching kids in the poor setting who would alternatively take to illegal choices.
Bala added that FeTNa’s reach and efforts are so deep and involved that generating funds for worthy causes seems to sell well. “We are receiving more charity requests now and the challenge is to find legitimate projects. We have created a task force – the FeTNA Mother India committee with members in India for this. Eminent personalities like VGP Santosam, and Balakrishnan IAS are part of this team, said Bala.
Caldwell Velnambi, President, FeTNA
