Tamil Brilliance Across Borders
Honouring Global Tamil Excellence: Tamil Diaspora Day Awards 2025: In 2025, the Tamil Nadu government honoured exceptional Tamils around the world through the Tamil Diaspora Day Awards. This prestigious annual event recognises individuals from education, science, business, medicine, literature, and social activism who embody Tamil identity and values globally. These awards aren’t just tokens of appreciation—they are proof that Tamil pride travels beyond state and national borders.
From Harvard classrooms to Singapore hospitals, these honourees carry the Tamil legacy forward. They not only represent excellence but also bridge global communities through language and culture.
Tamil Mamani and Cultural Icons
The highest honour, the Tamil Mamani Award, was given to Dr. Vijay Janakiraman, who played a crucial role in establishing the Tamil Chair at Harvard University. His efforts ensured that Tamil, one of the world’s oldest classical languages, found a place in global academic discourse.
From Sri Lanka, Krishnakanthan Sandeep received the Best Cultural Ambassador Award for promoting Tamil music, literature, and heritage—especially among diaspora communities. These recognitions showcase how Tamil voices contribute to world culture from every corner of the globe.
Celebrating Leadership in Education, Business, and Social Change
Rajaram Ramasubban, Registrar of National University of Singapore, was recognised for his inclusive academic leadership and his promotion of Tamil in higher education spaces abroad. Meanwhile, S. Kamalakannan translated Periyar’s philosophy into Japanese, bringing Tamil Nadu’s social reform legacy to East Asia.
On the social front, Sridevi Sivanandam was honoured for empowering women through literacy and entrepreneurship under the Pudhumai Thamizhachi Trust. Her work reflects a powerful Tamil feminist voice rooted in community upliftment.
In the business world, Lakshmanan Somasundaram of Tecton Engineering LLC received acclaim for representing Tamil leadership in the Middle East’s construction sector, blending enterprise with employment creation.
Science, Medicine, and Ancient Philosophy
From South Korea, Dr. S. Arokiyaraj was awarded in the Science & Technology category for his research in biotechnology and dedication to mentoring Tamil students abroad. In medicine, Dr. Gangadhara Sundar of Singapore was celebrated for his expertise in ophthalmology and contributions to medical education.
To honour Tamil philosophical heritage, six distinguished individuals received the Kaniyan Poongundranar Awards, named after the ancient Tamil poet who advocated global humanism. These awards keep ancient wisdom alive in the modern world.
STATIC GK SNAPSHOT FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS
| Category | Awardee/Highlight |
| Tamil Mamani Award | Dr. Vijay Janakiraman – Harvard Tamil Chair |
| Cultural Ambassador | Krishnakanthan Sandeep – Sri Lanka |
| Education | Rajaram Ramasubban – NUS Singapore |
| Social Development | S. Kamalakannan – Japanese translation of Periyar’s life |
| Women Empowerment | Sridevi Sivanandam – Pudhumai Thamizhachi Trust |
| Business | Lakshmanan Somasundaram – Tecton Engineering LLC |
| Science & Technology | Dr. S. Arokiyaraj – Sejong University, South Korea |
| Medicine | Dr. Gangadhara Sundar – NUS Singapore |
| Cultural Heritage | Kaniyan Poongundranar Awards – 6 recipients for literature & philosophy |
