"Culture is a strong link to promote humanism that would ensure global peace and any type of inter-cultural activity should be encouraged and promoted."

These were the words of His Excellency Mr Malay Mishra, the Indian High Commissioner, while extending his Pongal greetings in pure Tamil to a packed audience in the National Theatre on Wednesday during a ceremony to mark Pongal Day. 

The occasion also saw the release of the first ever Pongal souvenir in Seychelles for the newly registered Seychelles Tamil Mandram (STM).

"Tamil dates back to several centuries and it covers all the finer aspects of sculpture, architecture and temple building to science, higher mathematics and modern technology.  The Tamil Mandram should be in the forefront to bring out the best in their culture to be fused with other cultures in Seychelles.  The Indian High Commission's help and support is always there to bring out the best immortal literary works in Tamil to the knowledge of the non-Tamil speaking global community," H.E. Mishra said.

Ombudsman Bernadin Renaud, while accepting the Pongal souvenir from H.E. Mishra, traced his parental links with Tamil culture which has greatly influenced the Seychellois community in many aspects of everyday life. 

He said although this culture with an age-long tradition had many valuable inputs to other cultures, it had not been taken well to the grassroots level here and he wished the newly formed Tamil Mandram do its best to make the people here understand and appreciate the finer points of this renowned global culture.

In his address the chairman of the STM, Mr Natesan, outlined the aims and objectives of the STM. 

In his review of the Pongal souvenir, Mr V. T. Pandian commented on the historic importance of the first ever Pongal souvenir which should be preserved for posterity.

The highlight of the evening was a 90-minute cultural show which drew rounds of applause from the audience. In addition to the songs and dances the FUSION – covering nine different patterns of dance – carried the entire admirers with them. 

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