Dear Donors and Patrons,

As spring arrives, many chapters have already begun planning their activities. I encourage you all to volunteer, participate, and invite your friends to get involved in your local chapter’s events. Take pride in sharing the impact you’ve made and encourage others to join us as TNF patrons. The strength of an organization lies in its membership, so if you haven't yet become a life member, I encourage you to consider doing so today.

A big thank you to everyone who participated in the voting for the proposed bylaw changes. Your support was invaluable, and we are pleased to announce that the proposed changes have been successfully passed and updated.

I am also delighted to share that we have successfully concluded the election of our new board members who will take charge during TNF51. A special thanks to Dr. Mala Balakumar from Glen Head, NY, who served as the election officer. Thanks to all who nominated candidates for the open positions. Please join me in congratulating the new board members. With your support, I am confident that the new board will take TNF to even greater heights.

Please welcome the new board members:

• Mr. Mani Periakaruppan – Dublin, OH, President

• Mr. Siva Moopanar – Naperville, IL, VP Chapters

• Mr. Ramesh Sankar – Miami, FL, VP Projects

• Mr. Annadurai Murugesan – Troy, MI, VP Membership

• Mrs. Meena Natesan – San Ramon, CA, Secretary

• Mrs. Mala Gopal – Houston, TX, Joint Secretary

• Mr. Prabhakar SanthaKrishnan – Dublin, OH, Treasurer

• Mr. Gynanasabai S. Muthupalaniappan – Middletown, DE, Joint Treasurer

• Mr. Arunachalam Arunachalam – Austin, TX, General Director

• Mr. Muruganandan Palanisamy – Frisco, TX, General Director

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Thiru Rajarethinam, Chairman of TNF Chennai, for his unwavering support and encouragement in helping us make a meaningful difference in the lives of many underprivileged individuals. During his tenure, TNF has experienced significant growth, and he has truly built a legacy that we will cherish for years to come.

Warm regards,
Veera Venugopal
President, TNF USA

Thiru. S. Rajarethinam I.A.S. (Retd.) (1979 Batch), holding a Master’s in Economics and a Bachelor of Law, retired from service upon superannuation in November 2007. He later served as Secretary to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on reemployment until May 2011. Over his distinguished 40-year career, he held several key positions, including District Collector, Inspector General of Registration, Commissioner of Collegiate Education, and Secretary to the Government in various departments such as Housing and Urban Development, Tourism, Environment and Forests, Public Works, and Commercial Taxes. He played a pivotal role in initiating numerous reforms, implementing people-friendly measures, and contributing to developmental and eco-friendly projects.

After his retirement and reemployment, he became a Trustee at the Tamil Nadu Foundation (TNF), where he focused on executing educational and humanitarian projects across the state. He has served as the Chairman of TNF since 2017, and his tenure will conclude in March 2025, marking a record of eight consecutive years of service. Additionally, he served as a Trustee at the Sundaram Medical Foundation, funded by the TVS Companies. His dedication to aiding the underprivileged and deserving in areas such as skill development, education, health, and hygiene is evident through his efforts to raise awareness and empower communities.

His significant contributions during various calamity relief efforts, including flood relief (2015, 2024), Gaja relief, and COVID-19 support, are noteworthy. In recognition of his exceptional service, the Tamil Nadu Foundation, USA, awarded him the “Service Excellence Award” at the Atlanta Convention in 2019.

The TNF South Florida Chapter hosted a highly successful Valentine’s Day Charity Gala on February 22, 2025, bringing the community together for an unforgettable evening of entertainment and philanthropy. The event featured lively performances, touching moments, and generous contributions from attendees and donors, highlighting the Chapter’s commitment to supporting education and community welfare in Tamil Nadu.

The gala underscored the significant impact of the Chapter’s work in several schools across the Salem District, including:

• Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Mecheri

• Government Boys Higher Secondary School, JariKondalampatti

• Government Higher Secondary School, Neikarapatty

• Government Tribal Residential Higher Secondary School, Arunuthumalai

Special attention was given to the Youth LOVES Club of the South Florida Chapter, whose efforts have been instrumental in supporting impactful initiatives, such as the Feminine Hygiene Project at the Government Tribal Residential Higher Secondary School in Arunuthumalai. The Chapter also launched the Youth Club Incubator Program, designed to empower young entrepreneurs with the resources and mentorship needed to transform their business ideas into successful ventures.

Several patrons from the South Florida Chapter sponsor initiatives across these schools. Notably, Mrs. Renuka Palanisamy sponsors the Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Mecheri, and Mr. Arul Murugan sponsors the Government Tribal Residential Higher Secondary School in Arunuthumalai. Mrs. Malathi Palaniappa and Mr. Madhu Chandrashekar also support the ABC Project at a government school in the Nagapattinam District.

Proceeds from the gala will support key initiatives in Tamil Nadu, including:

1. Providing sweaters for students at the Government Tribal Residential Higher Secondary School, Arunuthumalai

2. Supporting the Female Hygiene Project, offering essential menstrual wellness support

3. Advancing the Talking Pen Project, which enhances educational accessibility

Thanks to the ongoing generosity of our supporters, these initiatives will have a lasting impact on students’ education and overall well-being, helping them to succeed and thrive.

The TNF Bay Area Chapter’s Spring Soirée on March 15 was a memorable evening filled with generosity, delicious food, and lively entertainment, raising approximately $32K to expand the nutritional breakfast supplement project to more schools and students!

Around 230 guests were treated to inspiring words from Mr. M. R. Rangaswami (Founder of Indiaspora, CEF, & Sand Hill Group), exquisite wines from V5 Vineyards, a mouthwatering dinner from Annachi Kadai, and vibrant entertainment by the local Tamil Light Music band, Jazzmine.

The chapter expresses sincere gratitude to all attendees, donors, and sponsors who contributed to the success of the event. We look forward to our next gathering in the Fall — stay tuned for updates on Facebook and Instagram! (@tnf_bayarea)