Chief Minister M.K. Stalin addressing the Tamil diaspora in Cologne, Germany, on Sunday (August 31, 2025)
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Addressing the Tamil diaspora in Cologne, Germany, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday (August 31, 2025) urged them to extend any possible help to their motherland. He wanted them to either start small businesses in Tamil Nadu or promote business opportunities in the State.
“Even if it is small, please start your business in Tamil Nadu. If you are working for a major company, please motivate them to invest in Tamil Nadu by apprising them of the opportunities in the State. Please take care of your village. I request you to extend possible help to poor students in government schools,” Mr. Stalin appealed to the gathering.
The Chief Minister also called upon the Tamil diaspora to visit Tamil Nadu with their children at least once a year. Highlighting the State’s rich culture and history, and Keeladi and Porunai museums, among others, he requested them to teach their children about the same.
“The Dravidian model government and your Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin will always be there to support you at any time and under any circumstances,” Mr. Stalin emphasised. Referring to the ‘Verkalai Thedi’ programme, in which the Tamil Nadu government supports children from the Tamil diaspora across the world to visit the State, Mr. Stalin said their “love and tears resulted in the success of this programme.”
Investments
Recalling his visits to Japan, Singapore, Spain, the UAE, and the USA, Mr. Stalin said his government has got investment proposals from those countries, and they have created employment opportunities for many in the State. He said that his government was also implementing several programmes for the welfare of non-resident Tamils.
Since the assumption of his ‘Dravidian model’ of government in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Stalin said the State has been developing on all fronts. “We are growing rapidly in industrial development, in particular. You might have read about the development of Tamil Nadu in newspapers and on social media, or known about it through your relatives and friends,” he said.
The Chief Minister also hailed the Tamil community for spreading across the world and excelling through their talent and hardwork. Though international boundaries and the seas divided them, the Tamil language united them, he said. “When I see each of you having attained respectable positions, I am truly proud as someone from the Dravidian movement.”
Financial aid
Referring to the constitution of the Non Resident Tamils Welfare Board, Mr. Stalin said: “If the Tamil diaspora faces any problem, we rush to extend help.” A total of 524 students were rescued from Ukraine, 253 from Sudan, 126 from Israel, 220 from Bangladesh, and 119 from Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar, he recalled.
The Tamil Nadu government also extended an aid of ₹10 lakh to a family from Kancheepuram when a baby was unwell while en route from the U.S. to Chennai, and the flight had to land in Istanbul. The sum was provided to bring the baby to Chennai for medical treatment, he said. A man from Mayiladuthurai was provided ₹10 lakh for his medical treatment in Thailand.
The Tamil Nadu government provided a solatium of ₹5 lakh to families of each of the seven Tamils who were killed in a fire in Kuwait. It also provided a sum of ₹10 lakh for installing a ‘hero stone’ in Thailand in memory of the Tamils who perished during World War II, Mr. Stalin recalled.
Tamil Nadu’s Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa was among those present.
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Published – September 01, 2025 11:28 am IST