Never forget your identity, roots, Stalin tells diaspora

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday called upon the Tamil diaspora, which gathered in Chennai from all over the world for the World Tamil Diaspora Day 2026 celebrations, to never forget their Tamil identity and roots. Delegates, including Ministers from over 70 countries, participated in the celebrations held at the Chennai Trade Centre campus.

Listing the steps his government has taken for the welfare of Tamils living abroad, Mr. Stalin said the objective is to ensure their welfare wherever they live. Recalling his recent request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils, even as Constitutional reforms were underway in that country, Mr. Stalin hoped that the Government of India would act accordingly.

“My request to you all is that you should never forget your identity and roots. Do not forget your ties,” Mr. Stalin said. Hailing the Tamil language, Mr. Stalin said it did not discriminate against anyone on the basis of caste or religion and was a unifying factor. Pointing out the contributions of the Dravidian movement in inculcating the Tamil identity, he said it had helped Tamil Nadu emerge as a unique State in the country.

Malaysia’s Deputy Minister M. Kula Segaran welcomed the steps taken by the Tamil Nadu government to bring together the Tamil diaspora worldwide.

He called on the State government to establish a high-level committee to implement measures to support the Tamil diaspora. He also pointed out that certification of workers in the State would help them increase their salary while seeking employment abroad