Singapore Tamil Youth Conference 2016 Manifesto NUSTLS Singapore Tamil Youth Conference 2016 Manif | Page 69

Issue 11: Tamil Diaspora and Identity
2. How far does the Diaspora among our Singapore Indian community influence our
Tamil identity?
• The identity is becoming more diversified as there are more Indian communities in
Singapore. Although some youths felt that increasing diversity is diluting the Tamil
identity, others felt that this diversity compels the Tamil community to hold on to our
identity stronger.
• Influence of the increasingly diversified Indian community may not be as pronounced on
the younger Indian generation as it is on their parents, especially since many of their
parents have moved over to Singapore.
• There seems to be some tension between various Indian languages e.g. Tamil and Hindi.
This is greatly attributed to the North-South divide in India, and the sheer number of
Hindi-speaking North Indians (expatriates) in Singapore. The youths share their concern of
Hindi taking the place of Tamil as one of the four official languages.
3. What is the state of the Tamil Diaspora identity?
• There is an apparent gap between the new Tamil migrants and the current Tamil citizens
in Singapore. Accent, cultural practices, lifestyles are just some factors that differentiate
these two groups from each other. Some youths felt that the caste system is not
pronounced among the local Tamils but the new Tami migrants are reviving the caste
system in Singapore.
• The current HDB system in Singapore splits up the Tamils and forces them to adapt with
the majority. Some youths acknowledge that multiculturalism is important, while others
feel that there is no environment for the Tamil identity to be felt in Singapore. Also, some
youths feel that in Singapore, there is a need to prioritise the Singaporean identity over
the Tamil identity.
• Traditions are not properly passed down. Even though the traditions are still in practice
today, in future, some youths are concerned that their kids may or may not pass down
these traditions. E.g. Pongal celebrations.
• Most youths do acknowledge that the Tamil pioneers have set the base very strong, by
stepping up as Tamil community leaders and encouraging other Tamils to take up
citizenship in the past. They also acknowledge that retaining the Tamil identity and
language is in their hands and that they should tap on the privilege accorded by their
pioneers. E.g. Tamils in Australia and America are struggling to speak Tamil, but in
Singapore, there is Tamil everywhere (books, shopping malls, public transport etc.).
Issue 11: Tamil Diaspora and Identity
PAGE 69