Of Interest – 2024
Photos & Videos
News & Announcements
November
Food Bank Contributions
1.Sai Dham Food Bank: We raised a total of $700, which includes a $200 cash contribution from Kannan and Sathya, and $500 worth of food items purchased by VPal Annan. The $500 in food items consists of a $300 contribution from CNS and a $200 contribution from VPal Annan. Thanks to VPal Annan and Chittu Aachi for purchasing all the items for the food bank.
2.The Compass Food Bank & Outreach Centre: CNS contributed $200, while Arun Annan and Sakunthala Aachi contributed $1,000 to this food bank. Thanks to Arun Annan for referring this food bank to CNS.
Bhajan
Our November CNS bhajan for 2024 was conducted by Suppiah Annan and Meena aachi at their house on November 17th 2024. Around 20 members attended the bhajan. Bhajan was started around 6:30 and wrapped up by 7:30. Potluck dinner was served. Thank you from CNS to Suppiah Annan and Meena aachi's family for hosting the November month Bhajan
Diwali
The CNS hosted its fifth event of the year, a Diwali celebration, on November 10, 2024, at the SVBF Hall. The function saw an enthusiastic turnout, with around 150 participants joining the festivities.
The event commenced at 11:30 AM with a heartfelt prayer song by Navya, setting a spiritual tone for the day. This was followed by the President's welcome speech, during which an update from the Education Committee was shared.
A highlight of the event was the medley dance performance featuring participants of all ages, from kids to adults. This was followed by several individual performances by our talented CNS children.
Adding to the fun, a game inspired by the UK-based "1% Club" was conducted by Kannan Muthiah. The game featured two teams, Men vs. Women, with the Women's team emerging victorious by a margin of 20 points.
The Social Committee organized a sumptuous potluck lunch with a menu that included parupu, sambar, vathakulambu, appalam, payasam, and more. This delicious spread was well-received by everyone.
The event wrapped up around 3 PM, concluding a day filled with enjoyment and community bonding. Overall, the Diwali function was a great success, marked by fun and festive cheer.
Kantha Sashti Kavadi Festival
On Thursday, November 7th, 2024, during the evening hours, the SVBF temple hosted the colorful and spiritually uplifting Kantha Shasti Kavadi Festival and procession. This annual event, organized by Arun Annan and Sakunthala Aachi, celebrates Kantha Shasti day, dedicated to Lord Muruga. Despite it being a weekday, approximately 150 people attended the event.
Participants carried 14 kavadis and 14 paal kudams in devotion to Lord Muruga. Among these, 11 kavadis and 9 paal kudams were carried by Nagarathars. The kavadis were filled with offerings such as milk, yogurt, coconut water, honey, rose water, sandal powder, turmeric powder and panchamirtham.
The air was filled with the melodious singing of Lord Murugan songs as devotees participated in the Kavadi/Paal Kudam procession, followed by the Abhishekham and Chariot Procession. The evening concluded with a delightful and hot dinner served by the SVBF temple to all the devotees.
We extend our gratitude to everyone who attended the event and received blessings from Lord Muruga.
Vetri Vel Muruganuku...Arrogara...
October
Bhajan
Our October CNS bhajan for 2024 was conducted by Dr.Kannan and Valli Achi at their house on October 6th 2024. Around 20 people attended the bhajan. Bhajan was started with the kids and then followed by Adults. Potluck lunch was served. Thank you from CNS to Dr.Kannan and Valli Achi family for hosting the October month Bhajan.
September
Bhajan
Our September CNS bhajan for 2024 was conducted by Arunkumar and Karthika at their house on the auspicious day, Ganesha Chaturthi on September 7th 2024. Around 12 families attended the bhajan. Bhajan was started with the kids and then followed by Adults. Potluck dinner was served. Host had painted Pillayar picture as a return gift for all the families which was very thoughtful. Thank you from CNS to Arunkumar and Karthika family for hosting the September month Bhajan.To view photos and videos from Bhajan click here.
August
Summer Picnic
The CNS picnic was held on August 10th at Meadowvale Conservation Area in Mississauga. The event was attended by over 100 members, with many new families joining us. It was beautifully planned and organized by Sathiyamoorthy & Kavitha and Ramkannappan & Indumathi families. The picnic started with the men taking over the barbeque station. Everyone had lots of fun playing games like cricket, tic-tac-toe, hula hoop, and water-passing game to burn off the calories. All that hard work made us hungry, and we were treated to a sumptuous and delicious potluck lunch. It was such a beautiful day with excellent weather conditions, which allowed everyone to have a relaxed and joyful time. Finally, it was the ladies turn to take over the coffee counter, where everyone was served hot coffee, tea, and milk accompanied by samosas and snacks. The picnic committee had planned and organised everything well. We would like to thank Sathiyamoorthy & Kavitha and Ramkannappan & Indumathi families for all their effort in making the picnic a great success. The picnic concluded with a vote of thanks from the president and appreciation to Alagappan & Umaiyal and Venkatachalam & Nithya families for volunteering to host the picnic next year. Finally, we would like to thank our Social Committee, volunteers, and all our members who joined the event and made it memorable.
Bhajan
Our August CNS bhajan for 2024 was conducted by Nagasubramaniam and Meenakshi family at their house on August 3rd 2024. Around 20 people attended the bhajan. Bhajan was started with the kids and then followed by Adults. Potluck dinner was served. Thank you from CNS to Nagasubramanian and Meenakshi family for hosting the August month Bhajan.To view a video snippet from the bhajan click here.
July
NSNA Retreat 2024
The NSNA Retreat 2024 was a vibrant and engaging event. Here are some of the memorable moments:
- Attendance and Dates: Around 20+ families from Canada participated in the NSNA retreat. The retreat spanned three days, from July 4th to July 7th, 2024.
- Elegant Saree: On July 5th, the ladies adorned a common saree that had been specially ordered for the Canada region. Witnessing everyone in the same saree created a beautiful sense of unity and cultural pride.
- Cultural Programs: The Canadian region showcased its talent through two captivating cultural programs:
- Drama: Directed by VPal Annan, with an intriguing and hilarious storyline unfolded on stage!
- Short Film: Directed by Sathya Kannan, packed a powerful message.
- Vaanga Pesalam Talk Show and Chettinad Beats Musical Show: VPal Annan took the stage as the host of the Vaanga Pesalam talk show, which brought many engaging conversations. He also co-hosted The Chettinad Beats musical show, with everyone tapping their feet and swaying to the rhythm.
- Volunteering Service: The Canada region stepped up by volunteering to serve snacks on July 6th, 2024. Community spirit at its best!
It was a humbling experience to see that the retreat was well-organized and filled with activities, programs, and delicious food. These gatherings created lasting memories and strengthened bonds within the community.
June
Bhajan
Our June CNS bhajan for 2024 was conducted by Ganesh, Subathra and Annamalai Annan, Banu aachis family at their house on June 22nd 2024. Over 17 families attended the bhajan. Bhajan was started with the kids and then followed by adults. Potluck dinner was served. Thank you from CNS to Ganesh, Subathra and Annamalai Annan, Banu aachis family for hosting the CNS June Month Bhajan. Thanks to Subi Annan for leading the bhajan.To view a video snippet from the bhajan click here.
May
Mother's Day, Father's Day & Tamil New year
We had our Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Tamil New Year function on May 12th (on the actual Mother's Day) at the SVBF hall with 125 attendees. The function started off with the Tamil Thai Vazhthu followed by President's speech. A PowerPoint slide was presented with the committee updates regarding marriage assistance, membership fee and CNS contact database. To access the presentation click here.
Social Committee had arranged a skit involving lots of kids. The concept was about Avvaiyar's experience when she visited Canada in 2024. Followed by the skit, there were a variety of individual performances where kids showcased their talents.
Potluck lunch and snacks were served. Secretary conducted a fun filled game with small kids followed by Vote of thanks. On behalf of CNS, we would like to thank every volunteer who helped during the skit, arranging food, cleaning and wrapping up.
Bhajan
Our May CNS bhajan for 2024 was conducted by Lakshmanan and Soundaram's family at their house on May 18th 2024. Over 18 families attended the bhajan. Many Murugan songs were sung as the month Vaikaasi is celebrated as Lord Murugan's birth anniversary. Potluck dinner was served. Thank you from CNS to Lakshmanan and Soundaram's family for hosting the CNS May Month Bhajan. Thanks to Subi Annan for leading the bhajan.
April
Bhajan
Our April CNS bhajan for 2024 was conducted by Vairam and Swedha's family at their house on April 27, 2024. Over 11 families attended the bhajan. Many Murugan songs were sung as the month April is dedicated to Lord Murugan. Potluck dinner was served. Thank you from CNS to Vairam and Swedha's family for hosting the CNS April Month Bhajan. Thanks to Annamalai Annan for leading the bhajan.
CNS Food Bank Donation
Happy Tamil New year to everyone. We are happy to inform you that CNS donated $300 worth of nonperishable items to SaiDham Food Bank yesterday (April 13, 2024). Thanks to Vpal Annan for recommending this food bank, purchasing and bringing all the items to the food bank. Thanks everyone for your generous contribution to Yelam. Without your support, we would not be able to donate the funds to a good cause. In addition to CNS funds, Vpal Annan also donated his funds to the food bank.
Murugan Thirukalyanam
Murugan Thirukalyanam went very well on April 13th 2024 at SVBF temple. Around 90 CNS members attended the event. Thirupuzhal Anbargal started the event by singing Thirupuzhal songs. The Temple priest performed all the rituals for Thirukalyanam. CNS members and temple devotees carried all the seer varisai items followed by Oonjal Seva and Pallaku Utsavam. CNS members sang a few murugan songs during the event. Thanks to Arun Annan and Sakunthala aachi for purchasing and bringing all the Vashtrams (Sarees, Veshti, and Thundu) from India. Thanks to Vpal Annan & Chittu aachi for purchasing Maalai, Seeru items & flowers. Thanks to Sindhu & Vijay for purchasing and bringing all the fruits to the temple. Thanks to every one of you for sponsoring all the items to this event including Annadhanam sponsorship ($500). Since we get sponsors for all the items, we can spend the entire CNS funds for good causes such as education assistance, marriage assistance, and humanitarian assistance. Thanks for your continued support and cooperation.
March
Bhajan
CNS Bhajan for the month of March was conducted by Sethuraman and Nirmala's family at their house on 10th March, 2024. Over 14 families attended the bhajan. Potluck dinner was served. Thank you from CNS to Sethuraman and Nirmala's family for hosting CNS March Month Bhajan. Thanks to Annamalai Annan for leading the bhajan.
February
Bhajan
Our first CNS bhajan for the year 2024 was conducted by Adaikappan and Devaki's family at their house on 24th February, 2024. Over 10 families attended the bhajan. Potluck dinner was served. Thank you from CNS to Adaikappan and Devaki's family for hosting CNS February Month Bhajan. Thanks to V. Pal Annan for leading the bhajan.
January
Murugan Abhishekam
Thank you to the CNS Members for making Murugan Abhishekam a grand success. We had around 100 people attending the event and many people contributed generously for this function. Thanks to all who generously contributed various item for the Abhishekam. Many thanks to V. Pal for arranging the Murugan abhishekam with the temple and handling all the logistics, including Prasadham distribution and Photography. Thanks to all the volunteers for packing the Prasadham in containers for distribution to all. Thanks to all the people for preparing the Abhishekam items prior to the function at the temple. We would like to acknowledge everyone's efforts for making this function a great success. Once again, thanks to all CNS members for attending this event and making it a grand success.