Tamil paper in Singapore celebrate 75th anniversary
Hundreds of Indian-origin people joined President S R Nathan in celebrating the 75th anniversary of Tamil Murasu, a daily newspaper promoting the language in Singapore
Speaking at a gala concert held for the celebration this evening, Tamil Murasu editor Murugaian Nirmala assured that the newspaper would continue to preserve the Tamil language in Singapore, where it is fourth official language along with Malay, Chinese and English.
The newspaper as one of the oldest Tamil dailies in the world has come a long way to be a trusted source of information for Singapore Indians, she said. Singapore President S R Nathan was also present on the occasion.Tamil Murasu has daily coverage of Singapore and India with a special focus on South Indians.
Its circulation has grown to 13,000 copies on weekdays and 20,000 copies on weekends from just a nominal 200 copies in the initial days when it was launched in 1935 by Thamizhavel G Sarangapani, an Singapore Indian pioneer.
The newspaper then served the early Indian migrant population with news and information on Singapore and the Indian sub-continent.
"From its modest beginnings, Tamil Murasu has evolved with the times and is more than just a newspaper. Three-quarters of a century later, the newspaper remains relevant to its readership," added R Theyvendran, President of Singapore's Tamils Representative Council and Chairman of Concert Organising Committee. The event was attended by at least 1,600 Indian-origin people.
"With its eye focused on its core mission of serving the needs of the Indian Community within the context of multi-ethnic Singapore, I am sure that Tamil Murasu will continue to prosper as the 'voice of the Community' for years to come," he said, in a speech to the community at the concern.
Recalling early days of Tamils in Singapore, he highlighted the Tamils community work and contribution to the city state, starting from the colonial times in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
"They arrived as labourers to construct public housing, buildings and roads. They worked in the colonial British government, or as spice merchants and moneylenders as well as in other sectors," said Theyvendran of the Tamils immigrants to Singapore.
"Through all these, they have contributed to the economic foundation of our nation," he added."Today, the Tamil presence is found in all aspects of Singapore life – the Government and private sectors and politics to name a few.
And the community is doing its part towards fostering multi-racial harmony," he told the community at the concert which was also attended by Singapore ministers from the Tamil community
