Theresa Villiers Member of Parliament for Chipping Barnet has released the following Pongal message.
"I would like to send my best wishes to all my constituents who are celebrating Pongal.
This annual festival is marked by Tamil people all around the world, including British Tamils here in Barnet. The origins of Pongal are a celebration taking place after the harvest is brought in. For many hundreds of years, Pongal has provided an opportunity to give thanks for the harvest and the benefits that nature provides to humanity.
Pongal is traditionally a time when families come together. I hope that all my Tamil constituents have had the chance to spend time with friends and family at this special time of the year. I wish you all a very Happy Thai Pongal!"
The word Pongal means ‘to overflow’ and refers to the traditional dish prepared from the new harvest of rice boiled in milk with sugar and which is a big part of the four day long festival.
