Theresa Villiers has issued the following statement to mark the start of the festival of Pongal:
“I would like to wish all my British Tamil constiutents a very Happy Thai Pongal.
I know that this festival has great spiritual and cultural importance to the Tamil community in the UK and around the world.
This annual event celebrates the harvest. Thanks is given to the Sun and Mother Nature for providing a bountiful harvest. Celebrated over four days, Pongal marks the beginning of the Tamil month called Thai, which is considered an auspicious month.
Pongal is also the name of the dish made and eaten during this festival. It is a mixture of boiled sweet rice. It is derived from the Tamil word pongu, which means “to boil over”.
I have a number of Pongal related events in my diary this year including co-hosting a celebration in Parliament, alongside my colleague Steve Baker MP.
This event will also be an opportunity to mark Tamil Heritage Month and praise the contribution made by the community in the UK.
The Tamil community plays a hugely positive part in our society, our economy and our public services in the UK. Tamil doctors and nurses are a core part of our NHS and I know that they will all be working immensely hard as the NHS grapples with its busiest winter ever. I give them my sincere thanks for all that they do.
Pongal coincides with a number of other Hindu festivals including Uttarayan Sankranti, and Bihu. I send my best wishes to everyone who is celebrating this week!
