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"கூடி நின்றால் கோடி நன்மை! "

I have heard my mother saying this to me at least a million times while I was growing up to get me out of my "I, me, myself" world and to think big. The greater good, so to speak. I realised the truth of the statement finally at this ripe old age, far far away from my small town during our Basel Tamil Sangam Pongal event on Saturday, 17th January 2026. The entire BTS committee worked hard to plan this first event since we started the membership drive in December. There was the holiday season in the middle, some had back to back weddings in the family, a very dear member lost his father, there was sickness and travel and general day to day busy life, not to mention full time jobs. But dedication to the Sangam and the greater good of connecting people together and celebrating Pongal was driving all of us together to that one single goal! So firstly, I will thank the entire team and their family for the incredible support!

Our esteemed Chief guests were 

Mr. Raja Arumugam, UN Diplomat

Professor Kalyana Sundaram, Senior Scientist, EPFL

Mrs. Krishna Bhavani, Kalaniketan School of Dance

They very gracefully accepted our invitation and honoured us by attending our first event even though we are a fledgling Verein just about to spread our wings. Thanks to their inspiring speech and confidence in us to do more and fly high! We hope we will do you proud! BTS President, Ramya gave a powerful welcome speech and our very own Basel celebrity, Uthra Sankaran of Kavin Dance School, performed two beautiful Bharathanatyam pieces to begin the celebration and set the stage for the rest of the day. A special thanks to her generous spirit to give back to the community. Prabhu and Rekha managed the compering beautifully between them and to hear their azhagu Tamil was like "தேன் வந்து பாயுது காதினிலே"! 

After the formal beginnings, it was a free for all frenzy with a Kummi dance bringing all the women together, Uriyadi bringing all the kids together(Congrats Nila for breaking the pot!) and a beautiful photo corner (beautifully conceptualised and executed by Revathy) which brought all families together for a professional portrait! Santhosh and team put their Engineering degrees to good use to figure out the mechanics of hanging the pot from the very high ceiling! The atmosphere was like a family wedding where everyone knows each other and if not, they will leave knowing each other. And that connection was more important than anything else. The food arrived a bit later than we planned but Anjappar supported us well and everyone enjoyed the wonderful food and networked while working their way to a food coma! 

Whats any event without culturals and games! The kids and the adults (whos inner child is still around) set the stage on fire with dancing, singing, poetry, ... Sangeetha and Gopi managed the compering for this part of the event and steered the event efficiently. Favouritism is wrong but the two little boys, Viyaan and Varun, reciting Bharathiyars Achamillai Achamillai and Avvaiyaars Aathichoodi were my personal favourite. Kudos to the parents. Students of Kavin and Kalaniketan partcipated as well and enjoyed by all. After a coffee break, Vikram and Aishwarya took over conducting the games for the adults while Revathy and Vimal kept the children busy with suitable games. A special mention to BTS Committee Members Saranya and Krish who were the twin captains in charge of culturals and a dozen other things and pulled off everything effortlessly and always with a smile. A big thanks. BTS Vice President Justin rounded up the event with a thank you speech. Shafi, our in house Tech Genius, managed the Audio throughout the day in spite of a few glitches. 

If one thought, it was wind up time, one was wrong! Suvitha, Doctor by day and DJ by night, showed us how to end any event with a bang! Chairs were cleared, lights were dimmed and out came the kuthu songs and viral songs and nostalgic songs and everyones inner dancer came out in its true form to the dance floor! We could nt get enough of it and the energy was electrifying! And then, it was good bye time. And we could nt have done it without all the people pitching in to help! BTS thanks each one of you from the bottom our heart. For becoming members, for attending the event, being a beautiful audience and cheering the performers, actively participating in the events, volunteering, stepping in at the last minute to assist with the many behind the screen chaos, serving food, cleaning up,... The list goes on. The one thing that united us all together is Tamil and our most respectful salute to Tamil and all the Tamils.

வாழ்க தமிழ். வளர்க தமிழ் மக்கள்.

Subha

Secretary, Basel Tamil Sangam