Dear TNF Family,

As I conclude my term as President, I want to take a heartfelt moment to express my deepest gratitude to our current Board, our generous donors, and our dedicated partners. Your unwavering support over the past two years has been the foundation of all that we've achieved—thank you for standing by us and believing in our mission.

I also extend my warmest congratulations to the newly elected team. I wish you great success as you step into this new chapter of leadership. May you lead with purpose, passion, and fresh vision that continues to move TNF forward.

As we transition leadership, I’d like to reflect on a few milestones that we’ve accomplished together during this incredible term:

Youth Engagement:
Youth empowerment was at the heart of our mission. I’m proud to share that we successfully hosted two National Youth Conferences, with special thanks to the outstanding work of our Austin Chapter team.

Bylaw Amendments for Local Impact:
We revised our bylaws to allow fundraising for local community needs. This shift has enabled us to be more responsive and impactful at the grassroots level.

Strengthening Brand Awareness & Global Reach:
TNF’s visibility soared both nationally and internationally, particularly in Tamil Nadu. The TNF 50 Convention delivered powerful programs across chapters, with standout moments like Ilayaraja’s concert and Mr. Rajinikanth’s live address—both of which drew global attention and united the Tamil community.

Commitment to Transparency:
Our dedication to integrity and accountability was recognized with a prestigious 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, a testament to our ethical stewardship of donor contributions.

Golden Jubilee Membership Drive:
We welcomed over 400 new life members during this period, a strong affirmation of the community’s confidence in our long-term vision.

Chennai Chapter Expansion:
The formation of a seasoned and respected trustee team in Chennai marks a significant step in expanding our impact across Tamil Nadu.

Operational Excellence through Technology:
With the successful implementation of Salesforce, we have strengthened our internal systems—enhancing efficiency and providing greater transparency to our donors and partners.

Revenue Growth through Strategic Partnerships:
We diversified our revenue streams by building partnerships with enterprises and corporate sponsors, ensuring financial sustainability and long-term growth.

A Memorable TNF 51 Convention:
The cruise-based TNF 51 Convention was a resounding success—beautifully planned and flawlessly executed. Our sincere thanks to Mrs. Meena and Mr. Ramesh for their exceptional leadership in making this event truly unforgettable.

Serving TNF for the past two decades has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I look forward with optimism as the next generation of leaders continues this important journey.

Thank you once again for your trust, your support, and your unwavering belief in TNF’s mission.

With deepest appreciation,
Veera Venugopal
President, TNF USA

• Celebrating 51 Years of TNF: Over 150 TNF patrons embarked on a memorable cruise from Long Beach, CA to Ensenada, Mexico, marking the 51st TNF Convention after a successful Golden Jubilee year. The convention began with TNF President Mr. Veera Venugopal welcoming all the attendees.

• Distinguished Guest: Dr. Shylendra Babu, Retd. IPS and newly appointed TNF Chennai Chairman, joined the convention, engaging in insightful discussions with attendees about TNF’s future.

• Convention Coordination: Congratulations to Convention Coordinator Mrs. Meena Natesan who led the planning/organizing, and Mr. Ramesh Sankar who supported the efforts. Thanks to Mrs. Gita & Mr. Kris Pradeep of M/S Gita Travels, long-time TNF members who assisted with travel arrangements and logistics onboard.

• Youth Engagement:

  • Icebreaker: Led by Ishita Mannar from the Young Adults & Emerging Professionals Committee with the help of young adults engaging the audience in an interactive bingo networking activity.

  • Youth/Young Adults Meet & Greet: Hosted by Siddarth Mohan from the Young Adults & Emerging Professionals Committee, fostering strong connections and camaraderie that helped the youngsters come together quickly and spend the next two days together.

• Entertainment & Community Bonding:

  • Impromptu comedy session by our patron from Virginia Mr. Ramprasad Gurunathan entertained everyone with laughter preparing them to head out for the sit-in dinner 

  • Light Music entertainment featuring Tamil hits, led by Mrs. Subha Rajesh (Bay Area) filled the air with music from three generations of film music

  • Inspiring speech by Mr. Gunasekaran, Editor-in-Chief, Sun News who was visiting Chicago and joined TNF51 upon hearing about it.

  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner featured delicious Indian ethnic cuisine tailored specially for TNF patrons—widely enjoyed and appreciated throughout the convention

• General Body Meeting:

  • Early morning General Body Meeting with annual reports and Q&A

  • Speech by Dr. Shylendra Babu on charity and giving

  • Mr. Mainivannan Periakaruppan was sworn in as the new President of TNF along with the new board members.

  • Our outgoing Board Members Mr Murugan Kannan and Mrs. Seetha Krishnan were felicitated for their remarkable contributions to the success of the organization.

• Exploration & Farewell:

  • Attendees explored the scenic Ensenada, Mexico

  • Informal farewell gathering wrapped up the event on a warm and memorable note

• Looking Ahead:
  The convention concluded with renewed energy and commitment towards TNF’s mission. We look forward to seeing everyone at TNF52!

Development, he spearheaded the computerization of project monitoring systems to enable real-time tracking of developmental works. As Director of Sericulture, he played a vital role in promoting silk production. His tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Commercial Taxes (Enforcement) provided him with significant experience in tax administration. He also served as District Collector in Sivagangai and Pudukkottai districts.

Post-retirement, Dr. Shanmugam is actively involved in research and policy work at the Madras School of Economics and advises the HCL Foundation on the design and implementation of development projects under CSR initiatives.

He has been appointed as a Trustee of the Tamil Nadu Foundation (TNF) effective from September 2024.

This exciting initiative offers students a meaningful way to stay intellectually active during the summer while connecting with TNF’s mission and values. Featuring thought-provoking prompts crafted by our young adult leaders, the contest encourages participants to explore important topics, sharpen their writing skills, and think critically about the world around them.

What makes this contest truly special is the personalized feedback students will receive from a college essay writing perspective — from peers who have recently navigated the college admissions process. This unique perspective provides valuable insights to help students grow as writers and thinkers.

And yes—fabulous cash prizes await the winners!

"I used to think owning an iPhone was a right—until I met children who came to school not just for education, but for essentials like a hot meal or a clean uniform. Now, I see my iPhone as a privilege."

This is just one of many voices shaped by firsthand experiences on the ground. Inspired to create lasting impact, these young changemakers partnered with the TNF Board to launch TAYMAI—Tamil American Youth Making An Impact—a grant initiative that empowers interns to bring their innovative ideas to life.

What makes TAYMAI truly special is that it is entirely youth-led. From submitting proposals to participating in pitch-style interviews, interns present their ideas to a panel of second-generation Tamil Americans. The Young Adults & Emerging Professionals (YAEP) Committee then carefully evaluates each project to select the three most compelling proposals for grant awards.

A big kudos to Hrishi Kousik, who led the program this year, his mentor Shanthi Bhaskar, and all the YAEP Committee members who contributed their time and talent to this impactful process.

The evaluation process considered several factors, including impact, sustainability, and feasibility . In addition to their written proposals, each candidate participated in interviews with a panel of young adults. One panelist expressed a sentiment shared by many: "If we could select all the ideas, we would — each proposal carries immense merit and addresses a critical need in a meaningful way."

Congratulations to this year’s winners! We look forward to sharing the success stories once these inspiring projects come to life.

Each winner will receive $1,000 in funding to implement their project. 
 

Vilaiyadalam Vaanga
Aditya Chandran Arvind – Austin, TX

Art & Expression for At-Risk Youth
Anoushka Vishwanathan – Waxhaw, NC

Steps to Success
Samyuktha Selvam – Miami, FL