வல்வைக்கடலோடிகள் ஆவணவெளியீட்டு விழாவில் “வல்வெட்டித்துறையின் சமூகச்சிற்பி” என விருதுவழங்கி மதிப்பளிக்கப்பட்டவர் “மணியண்ணா” என அன்புடன் அழைக்கப்படும் திருவாளர் தாமோதரம்பிள்ளை மணிவாசகர் அவர்கள். இவர் வங்கக்கடல் கடந்த எமது புர தான “ஏட்டி” வழி கடல்வணிகத்தை காலத்திற்கு ஏற்றவாறு நவீனமயப்படுத்திய உலகம் சுற்றும் “கடலோடிகள்” வாழ்வாக மாற்றிய பெரும்தகையாளர் ஆவார். இச்செயற்பாட்டின் மூலம் வல்வெட்டித்துறையின்; சமூக பொருளாதார மற்றும் பண்பாட்டில் குறிப்பிடக் கூடிய மாற்றங்களை ஏற்படுத்திய மேதையாக மேற்குறி த்த பட்டத்திற்கு இவர் உரியவராகின்றார்.
ஆவண வெளியீட்டு விழாவின் மூலம் உலகளாவிய வல்வெட்டித்துறை மக்களிற்கு அவர் வழங்கிய செய்தி கீழே தரப்படுகின்றது.
Sent: Sunday, December 11, 2011 6:41:19 AM / Subject: Re: Fw: Fwd: Award
Dear Siva,
Thank you for sending the list of AWARD RECIPIENTS and I am proud to be one of them. I wish to thank you and the committee involved in selecting me as an AWARD RECIPIENT.
I am also happy and proud to be requested by you to extend a message to be released on this occasion. I consider this occasion of the BOOK RELEASE is itself a significant and meritorious event where the people who are behind this effort of compiling the book and the relevant photos with facts and figures are to be commended, admired and encouraged.
My efforts in reviving the history of the shipping industry surrounding the glorious name of VALVETTITHURAI should be actually considered minor when compared to the mighty efforts of our predecessors who built and sailed the ships not only around Ceylon , India, Burma but even to the extent of the US.
My efforts again are to be considered minor when compared to the extent of the younger generation whose courage and strength in volunteering to enter into a career and field of Merchant shipping which was new compared to the employment in the Government Service, Doctor , Engineer or Accountant which were the only known careers available in the Fiftees and Sixtees. The credit must go to those who accepted the career and jobs offered by me at no cost and I am thankful to them for earning the good name for me.
Now today we, our village, the name of VALVETTITHURAI and the present inhabitants living there are all on the cross roads of the future for reasons and happenings of the recent past of a few years which none of us could have avoided or averted.
But once again I wish to repeat the policy which I advocated in the Sixties. The basic policy is to strengthen our people Economically and Academically . This is what we tried in the Sixties and SeventIes much against the violence and consequent losses.
This is what my Friends CATHAMUTHU MOHANADAS, CAPT. AMBALAVANAR and several others tried to help.
I would like to wind up faster by concluding that we have to look at ways of supporting EDUCATION , EMPLYOMENT Locally in Valvettithurai and also abroad.and EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES so that every person associated with the name of VALVETTITHURAI become FINANCIALLY stronger and useful for the community of the future.
I welcome suggestions from people who have achieved in establishing themselves abroad whether in Canada or other countries to think of the unfortunate families and people left behind in our own land of VALVETTITHURAI and around in the North and the East and suffering financially and some handicapped with loss of limb and health.
There are a lot of ways of sponsoring education or career enhancement or offering qualifications in various field like Nursing, Computer fields, X”Ray technology, Physiothrapy, and endless career opportunities which we can extend to the youth still trying to survive in the North and East of Sri Lanka.
I would appreciate the formation of a committee of people in Canada, and every country like Norway , Australia, etc where our people have migrated and collect a list of deserving candidates who need help in Education and Career with their achievements so far.
May I now conclude and await useful proposals and suggestions which we can study and see ways of implementations.
Sincerely and Humbly
THAMOTHERAM PILLAI MANIVASAGER