Noelnadesan's Blog

Dr Noel Nadesan, Melbourne, Australia

A two-day Tamil Diaspora event organised by the Tamil Nadu government was held in Chennai on 11–12 December 2025, bringing together more than 5,000 participants from around 70 countries. The event marked one of the largest global gatherings of the Tamil diaspora in recent years.

Representing Australia, the Secretary and the President of the Australian Tamil Literary Society, Mr Sriskantharaja, attended the event at the invitation of the state government. In addition to members of the Tamil Nadu diaspora, only two participants of Sri Lankan Tamil origin were present from Australia.

The programme ran smoothly over two days, reflecting careful planning and coordination by the organisers. The event coincided with the Pongal season, creating a festive atmosphere. Participants actively engaged in discussions and networking, and members of the diaspora were formally recognised for their contributions in their respective countries.

The gathering also had a strong economic focus. Officials highlighted the role of such events in strengthening the service economy, tourism, and international engagement. Tamil Nadu, already known for its medical tourism and education sectors, is expected to benefit further as many attendees travelled with their families and planned extended stays in the state.

As part of its environmental initiatives, the Tamil Nadu government presented an electric double-decker vehicle to representatives of the American Tamil diaspora to promote eco-friendly transport solutions. Several memoranda of understanding were also signed with businesses and universities, signalling future collaboration.

The choice of December, with its relatively mild weather, was seen as conducive to international travel. The event underscored Tamil Nadu’s growing engagement with its global diaspora and its broader economic ambitions, as the state continues to record growth of over 11 per cent.