Minister Mr. S. Iswaran, representatives of NLB, NAC and NHB, writers and friends, a very good morning to all of you.

 

Tamil Poet Bharathy dreamt of ‘honey-like’ Tamil Language to spread all over the world. Now his dream has come true as Tamils are living in almost every country.

 

But could we say that of Singapore Tamil Literature? We could say that the three-day First World Tamil Writers Conference organised by our Association of Singapore Tamil Writers with the strong support of National Arts Council and our community merchants has created an awareness among foreign Tamil writers and readers about Singapore Tamil Literature.

 

Some of our writers are writing for E-zines. But its readership is very small. Moreover there is no guarantee that the works will always be there in the E-Zines. But by this TDH project our writings will always be found on the internet so that whoever wants to read them can do so whenever they wish; discuss and debate about them.

 

We cannot say that the TDH project will affect sales. As of now Tamil writers are publishing their own works and they get back part of their investment through book-launches. Sales through book-shops is very minimal. So this project will not affect sales but at the same time more people will get a chance to read them.

 

Today the younger generation do not buy books to read, Instead they are sitting in front of their computers and browsing the internet. So there is a chance that Singapore Tamil Literature might reach them through this project.

 

Therefore all writers should support this project. And I for my part pledge to give my three books to be uploaded on TDH project. My Association will also readily make available all its publications for this project. By that note I would like to end my speech. Thank You.