Thai Pongal is more than a festival; it is a heartfelt expression of gratitude deeply rooted in Tamil culture. Celebrated at the beginning of the Tamil month of Thai, the festival honours the sun, nature, and the agricultural labour that sustains life. Traditionally observed by farming communities, Thai Pongal has grown into a cultural celebration that unites families and communities in thanksgiving and hope for abundance in the year ahead.

Children are not dependent beings (unless they are born with physical and/or mental challenges). they are made to be so by us adults. They come to us with blazing neurons and an eagerness to explore, learn, re-learn; enthusiasm and curiosity are their middle names. We the adults thwart that energy.

The New Year is a natural moment for reflection and renewal, and for many people it also marks a desire to eat more mindfully. Choosing plant-based meals at the start of the year can be a positive and realistic step towards better health, increased energy, and a lighter environmental footprint. Rather than focusing on restriction, plant-based eating encourages abundance-of Colour, flavour, and nourishment.

Dr. Nisha Fernando has dedicated her career to treating young people and families affected by drug addiction. With years of experience in the field, she has seen first-hand how easily adolescents fall into destructive habits due to their developing brains and vulnerability to peer pressure. Her work highlights not only the personal toll of addiction but also its wider impact on families, communities, and the economy.