Tamil farmers get a helping hand from their brethren in the USA
- Members of the Tamil diaspora in Washington DC organized a ‘Moi Virunthu’
- It is a feast served in exchange for monetary help
- The feast was organised to raise money for the drought-like situation and farmer problems in Tamil Nadu
FollowPennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC, USA turned into a rural village in Tamil Nadu on Saturday, July 29. The only sign that people were still in the United States was the government buildings on both sides of the road.
Members of the Tamil diaspora in the capital of USA organized a ‘Moi Virunthu’. It is a feast served in exchange for monetary help.
The feast was marked by a full course ‘saapaadu’, artists performing folk dance and people playing ‘pallanguzhi’ a traditional ancient Tamil mancala game and trying to spin a top with a string.
The Hindu reports that the reason to organise such a feast was to raise money for the restoration of water bodies and farming in Tamil Nadu.
The movement started when members from the Tamil Sangam of Greater Washington and Tamil schools wanted to help the farmers who are protesting in New Delhi for loan waivers and other demands. They collaborated with AIMS India Foundation in Virginia, US, that is working on projects to rejuvenate the lakes and water bodies in Tamil Nadu.
Mahendran Perisamy, an organiser, told The Hindu that, “We had already held several events in support of issues in Tamil Nadu. We organised signature campaigns during Jallikattu protests. When we learnt about the issues of droughts and the farmers’ protests, we decided to contribute.”
Close to 1,200 people registered for the fest. The fest was also an opportunity to showcase Tamil culture, food and traditions to people from other countries.
