For decades, Pungudutivu’s diaspora has taken pride in one fact: we never forgot our island. Millions of rupees are sent every year from Canada, London, and across Europe. Temples shine, annual functions continue, and donation lists grow longer.
And yet, ask an uncomfortable question: Why is Pungudutivu still poor?
This article will make many people angry. That is intentional. Because what we are doing now is not working.
The Illusion of Helping
Let us be honest. Most diaspora giving today is not development — it is emotional spending.
Money flows into:
- Temple renovations (again and again)
- Prize money for the same families
- Small handouts to elders
- One-off school donations with no follow-up
These actions feel good. They look good on posters and Facebook photos. But they do not create jobs, do not raise productivity, and do not prepare the next generation to survive without diaspora money.
We must ask: are we helping Pungudutivu — or comforting ourselves?
Creating Dependency, Not Dignity
A dangerous pattern has formed on the island.
Some families now plan their lives around donations. Children grow up believing that studying is optional because “money will come from abroad.” Work has slowly lost its dignity. Dependency has become normal.
This is not Tamil culture. This is not Tamil tradition. This is the result of bad incentives created by careless charity.
No society can develop when effort is disconnected from reward.
Welfare Societies Without Vision
Almost every country has a “Pungudutivu Welfare Society.” Each collects money. Each spends money. Almost none ask:
- What is our long-term plan?
- How many jobs did we create this year?
- How many families became independent?
Instead, we duplicate the same projects, donate to the same people, and celebrate the same achievements — while the island remains economically frozen.
This is not generosity. This is organised stagnation.
Temples Cannot Replace an Economy
Temples are important. They protect culture and identity. But let us say this clearly:
A temple cannot replace a livelihood.
When diaspora money prioritises buildings over businesses, rituals over skills, and ceremonies over capacity, the result is predictable: a beautiful island with no future.
Faith without economic thinking leads only to dependency.
The Real Cost of Our Failure
Every year we waste millions on projects that do not multiply value.
What could that money have done instead?
- Modern fishing cooperatives
- Cold storage and processing units
- Skill centres linked to real jobs
- Digital work hubs for youth
Instead, we chose comfort over courage.
A Different Path Is Possible
This is not a call to stop giving. It is a call to stop giving blindly.
Pungudutivu does not need more charity. It needs:
- Investment instead of donations
- Loans instead of handouts
- Accountability instead of emotion
- One unified development vision
Diaspora money must force productivity, not replace it.
A Challenge to the Diaspora
If you truly love Pungudutivu, ask yourself one question before donating:
“Will this make someone independent — or dependent?”
If the answer is dependency, have the courage to say no.
The future of Pungudutivu depends not on how much money we send, but how wisely we choose to spend it.
Comfort today will cost us dignity tomorrow.
The choice is ours.
