Kolomthotin Yaalpaanamata

In spite of races, religions or skin colour we all are children of mother Sri Lanka. One may be from south or north but we all have a bond which keeps all of us together. So Leo club of University of Moratuwa decided to reinvigorate this friendship. As an innovative idea we decided to celebrate Thaippongal festival in a different manner.

With the rising of Thaippongal sun on 15th January 2016, we reached Jaffna with the message of fraternity. There was a heartwarming welcome from our Tamil friends at Jaffna. We celebrated a perfect Thaippongal day there. They showed us to draw “kolam” arts with colored rice. So we joined with them and designed colourful “kolam” arts. We worshiped a Kovil and experienced about their rituals. Then all of us were treated with “Pongal Rice” which can waters our mouths by a glance of remembrance. And also we did not forget to meet the Leos of Leo club of Manipay Parish and wish them a happy pongal. At the time of pongal sun says goodbye, Leos who participated for the event had a cluster of blissful moments to remember by experiencing the real thaippongal for the first time in their lives.

On the second day of our journey we decided to share the happiness in our hearts with those who are in need. War is one of bad memories every Sri Lankan has. Many children lost their parents due to this calamitous war. Muthuthamby Children’s Home in Jaffna is a place where such children live. They lost their parents love, living place and everything because of the war. These little children might have a dream to prepare Pongal rice with their parents, draw “Kolam” arts on their home garden. So festival season is not a happy time for them. We UoM Leos decided to bloom some smiling faces there in this season. We visited them day after ThaiPongal to blossom their dreams. Leo club of Manipay Parish was also joined with us to share love. We spend a whole day with them singing, dancing and having spellbinding chats with them. We distributed books among the children and could give them a carom board which was a requirement of the children’s home. At the end, it was hard to leave those smiling faces and shinning eyes.

 We were able to experience the joy and exuberance that occur when hearts come together. Indeed these festivals are sacred moments that help us to establish love and unity and nourish our relationships.