அன்னை பூபதி நினைவு நாள்

World Tamil Historical Society (WTHS) is organising a special commemoration to remember the heroic sacrifices made by the Tamil martyr Annai Poopathi. Annai Poopathi, or Poopathi Ganapathipillai, is revered as a symbol of courage, resistance, and selflessness among the Tamil people. The Annai Poopathi Memorial Day, will pay tribute to the selfless sacrifices made by Poopathi to save Tamils from the atrocities by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka. She began her hunger strike on 19 March 1988 and was martyred on 19 April 1988 after a 30-day hunger strike.

A Day to Remember

The event commemorates Annai Poopathi’s act of defiance which remains a source of inspiration for Tamils worldwide. On April 19, 1988, she ended her life after weeks of a hunger strike in which she demanded an end to the genocide against Tamils at the hands of the IPKF. Her legacy lives on in Tamil diaspora and WTHS is doing its part to keep her memory alive in the act of remembrance at this event.

WTHS is committed to keeping the Tamil people’s cultural legacy alive, and this day of remembrance is one small piece in that endeavor. The event is to honor Annai Poopathi’s life, transformation from a simple woman to a symbol of Tamil resistance, and how her sacrifice unified the Tamil community not just in Sri Lanka but all over the world as a symbol of Tamil pride.

Event Highlights

The memorial event planned by WTHS will include discussions, cultural programs, and reflections on Annai Poopathi’s contributions to Tamil history. Special guests will speak on her martyrdom, and the day will be dedicated to paying tribute to her bravery. Attendees will have the chance to reflect on the significance of her sacrifice in the struggle for Tamil rights and justice.

Furthermore, WTHS will highlight the historical context of her protest, offering educational insights into the political climate of the time, and its enduring impact on Tamil society. This event will not only serve as a day of remembrance but also as a call to action for future generations to stand up for justice.

Patriot’s Day

WTHS has been celebrating April 19th as Patriot’s Day, since 2006 as a mark of respect and in the memory of Annai Poopathi’s sacrifice. The WTHS’s April 19th event this year is planned to help in raising awareness, so that this sacrifice is remembered, and the memory of this young Tamil patriot inspires us all to continue with courage and conviction in our support of the Tamil cause.

The Annai Poopathi Tamil Cultural Centre of Norway, also named after this brave martyr, will be co-sponsoring the WTHS’s April 19th event, and we look forward to their support and participation.

WTHS will be joining all of you to pay our respects to Tamil martyr and patriot, Annai Poopathi on Patriot’s Day, April 19th.