Venkat Raman
Auckland, December 29, 2020
The Fendalton Waimairi Community Board of the Christchurch City Council recently honoured Canterbury Indian Tamil Association President Vijaykumar Nainamalai (popularly known as Vijay) for his services to the community, demonstrating his willingness to go extra lengths to comfort grieving families.
He received the Award at an event held in Christchurch on November 25, 2020. Indian Newslink apologies for the delay in filing this report received the same night.
Promoting Tamil language
A Citation issued at the event said that Vijay has been instrumental in promoting Tamil language in the Canterbury region, thereby creating a bond between the resident Tamil families.
It said that he has also be conducting Tamil language classes for children every Saturday.
While these services are on an ongoing basis, Vijay was praised for his thoughtfulness and spontaneous magnanimity in times of need.
Spontaneous and Generous
“Vijay assisted in organising the repatriation of two Indian nationals who died late 2019. He even put himself as a debtor on the funeral home’s contact despite the fact that he did not know the deceased personally. He communicated with the Indian High Commissioner’s office in Wellington and set up a ‘Give A Little Page’ for repatriation costs. While one of the families was in New Zealand, Vijay visited them every night, providing them with food and comfort. His support during this very difficult time helped relieve some of the grief and anxiety of the members of the deceased family,” the Citation said.
Support during Covid pandemic
As well establishing the Canterbury Indian Tamil Association in April 2019 to provide wider support services to the community, he organised $50 Countdown vouchers for students and families affected by Covid-19. So far, he has provided vouchers for 40 families.
“Vijay’s selfless, compassionate acts and generosity towards the members of the Indian Tamil community is much appreciated by all our community members,” the Citation said.
Hope to the Community
Vijay said that he shares the Award with the members of the Executive Committee, members and volunteers of the Association.
“I strongly believe that we have given a strong hope to our Tamil people in the Canterbury region that a strong and dedicated team of Tamil Sangam is here with them for any help and support,” he said and added that his strong message to the Tamil community in New Zealand is that ‘true dedication and commitment of voluntary services will not go unnoticed in this country.’
The above Report has been sponsored by