We are all citizens of the world. It is our responsibility to take care of the planet, its people and its resources.
Recently I delivered a special address at the round table discussion on promoting self-reliance for Sri Lankan Tamils in Rehabilitation camps and host communities. The theme of the round table was Transforming lives from Camps to Communities: A Forum for Self-Reliance Initiatives.
This was jointly organized by the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Mr. Naveen Kolathur, Co-Chair Supply Chain Management Committee (SICCI) delivered the welcome address. An overview of the round table and initiatives of UNHCR was presented by Mr. Satchithananda Valan, Head of Field Office, UNHCR along with the Chennai Field Office Team. The keynote address was delivered by Mr. B Krishnamoorthy, IOFS, Commissioner or Rehabilitation and Welfare of NRT & Special Secretary / Project Director of TIDCO (Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited). The CEO of StartupTN, Mr. Sivarajah Ramanathan delivered a special address providing all support to the initiatives of UNHCR.
The round table was packed with high profile people across industries and organizations. We had dignitaries representing, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN International Children Education Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Women, Sanitation First, World Bank, Culinary Experts from the hospitality industry and various other educational Institutions.
The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. R K Radhakrishnan, fondly called as RK, is a Sr Associate Editor of Frontline and an Expert on refugee Integration, forced migration and mental health.
Quoting the words of the World Bank representative, “The driving force to help the refugees should not be pity, but humanity”. Thanks to Dr. RK, I learnt about the non-refoulment principle which protects migrants from not been sent back to origin countries where they might suffer persecution.
In my address, as the chair of Employability and Skilling committee, I emphasised the importance of the three Rs of Rehabilitation, which is Reformation, Resilience and Respect. The social reformation of the refugees by up-skilling and cross-skilling them is very vital to help them move out of their camps. I was amazed by a couple of success stories of refugees, making big in India. It is not possible with out opportunities to learn. The Tamil Nadu Government is very supportive of educating the Sri Lankan Tamils who are more than 60000 in India.
Education and employability skills, leads to Resilience. The ability to recover from difficulties and failures a critical skill for getting employment or being an entrepreneur. This will lead to earning respect. The transformation from camps to communities is the transition from Reformation to Respect.
I am humbled to receive a memento from UNCHR and SICCI which was a painting done by one of the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees. The creative and innovative mindset of this community has led to many small enterprises in the food and artifact industries.
A coffee table book titled ‘Sangamam’, launched during the Tamil Diaspora Day was presented during this event. The book talks about the rich Tamil culture, the history of migration of Tamils to other countries and their entrepreneurial spirit.
I would like to thank Mr Vinod Solomon, the General Secretary of SICCI and Mr Jayanth Reddy for having me at the round table and the entire team for their continuous support in all the activities of the Employability and Skilling Committee.
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