Message From our Founder
Hello, My name is Ragee Arasaratnam and I am the founder of Senthamarai Creative Writers Association Canada (SCWAC) and the Chief Executive Officer of Tamil Entertainment Television Inc. (TET HD). After my late husband Kanakaraj Arasaratnam, I have made it a prime purpose to dedicate my time and efforts towards my community. As a mother of two boys, I was able to understand the importance of mental health in adolescents and the growing population. I commit myself with my print and digital mediums to provide a platform to serve human soul. Striving to work with the multicultural communities, I found great satisfaction in embracing various cultures, and their ways of life by working with them to understand their roots. I am deeply rooted in spirituality, where I believe that each day is an opportunity awaiting to be seized. With all the efforts that I set forth, my goal is to be remembered for my initiatives and purpose of serving for the greater good.
Board Members
About Our Board Members
Rajeswary Arasaratnam
President & Founder
* My name is Rajeswary Arasaratnam and I am the president and founder of Senthamarai Publications Ltd Tamil Entertainment Television (TET HD TV), and Senthamarai Creative Writers Association of Canada (SCWAC),
* I immigrated to Canada in 1988 and has been running a community newspaper since 1994 called Thamilars Senthamarai Publications. My husband and I passionately ran our newspaper together as a team. When he tragically passed away in 2009, I continued running it independently with our dream in mind. I had to gather the strength on my own to care for my two children as well as run our beloved company.
* As I learned to balance my new life, I founded my Television company Tamil Entertainment Television Inc. (TET HD TV). 2010 This is the first Tamil North American High-Definition channel that is broadcasted on Bell and Rogers. I am also the devoted producer of most of our shows and ensure the best quality content is created for our audience.
* As the television company began doing well, I felt compelled to work on my lifelong passion of giving back to my community. That is how I noticed the need to revive my non-profit organization Senthamarai Creative Writers Association of Canada (SCWAC) 2007 to expand beyond helping writers to helping the community at large.
* My non-profit is focused on building community, resilience, and growing talents. I spearheaded efforts to deliver food to seniors during the pandemic, run workshops for people to reduce their social isolation, and showcase their talents and life stories.
* The SCWAC also produces content via workshops and shows that cater to youth, seniors, women and others to address issues related to mental health, public health, careers, public debates and showcasing art, cultural, and spiritual talents in Canada.
* For example, I have developed shows on mental health where doctors, psychologists, and social workers share information and resources during the pandemic, shows for seniors such as talent shows and documentaries of their lives, shows streaming health-related yoga classes, singing and dancing competitions, educational shows that teach Tamil to children, meaningful shows for holidays such as International Women’s Day, Father’s Day, Mother’s, Canada Day and more.
* This summer in 2022, with the help of a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, I hosted a large free outdoor event for the general public in Scarborough as a part of our Youth Singing competition finale.
Recognitions & Awards
* Excellence in Editorial Concept -2005 (Senthamarai Publication)
National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada
* Excellence in Editorial Concept -2015 (Senthamarai Publication)
National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada
* Canadian Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce - 2016 (Senthamarai Publication )
25 years of business success among Best Tamil Media Entrepreneurs in Canada
* Canada 150 Medal - 2017(Senthamarai Publication and Tamil Entertainment Television)
Chen, Shaun - M.P.
* Covid 19 Humanitarian Service Medal -2021 (Senthamarai Publication and Tamil Entertainment Television)
Chen, Shaun - M.P.
* Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal - 2022
Chen, Shaun - M.P.
* Community/Media/ Human Rights for her Outstanding and Distinguished Services for Tamil Entertainment Television - TET- 2022
* National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada
Christella Pathmanathan
Executive Director
Christella Pathmanathan is a Case Manager at the Canadian Mental health Association in Toronto. She is a loving wife and proud mother of two boys. Christella has been a part of an array organizations and facilities over the past 20 years, some of which include but are not limited to “Community Progress” CMHA Social Recreation Group, “Pathway” CMHA - Social Support Program and the Tamil Cultural and Academic Society of Durham. Christella takes great pleasure in helping many people she loves through times that have brought them great joy. She gets excited when she can help somebody towards a positive outlook, and an overall better future for themselves. Christella believes that in life, there are options you are faced with that help to bring you to a better situation and make you feel better about yourself. Through her commitments in mental health organizations, Christella seeks fulfillment in assisting individuals through exciting times and keeps them going through the times when they feel they can't push on anymore. By being a part of Senthamarai Creative Writer’s Association, Christella wishes to break down barriers and stigma in the community by providing her assistance to those that seek it most.
Ravinendran Kanagasabai
Managing Director
Father of two girls and husband to his lovely wife, Ravi currently resides in Pickering Ontario after immigrating to Canada in 1988. Ravi was employed under the Mahaweli Devalopment Board in DHS&Co., as a technician for over 10 years. Due to war in his homeland, Ravi left his life in Sri Lanka behind and took on a life in Canada. After some time in Canada, Ravi developed an interest in writing and joined with Senthamarai Publications and community reporter in 1994. Being a part of the Tamil Writers Association Canada, Ravi endured in ventures that came his way while forming his writing pieces as he bridged his passion with Senthamarai Creative Writers Association Canada. In his spare time Ravi enjoys the company of his family and takes part in writing short stories that gets published on Senthamarai Publications. Ravi has a creative element to his imagination that he seeks to bring to life with his writing.
Denoshaa Jeyatheswaran
Secretary
Denoshaa Jey developed a desire for creative writing through her university years where she found herself more involved in writer’s craft workshops; developing a deep love for poetry. Denoshaa is a Bachelor of Health Science Honorary graduate who completed her post-graduate education in Vancouver, British Columbia. Whilst pursuing a full-time career as an eye care professional, she shares her career platform as a freelance writer and social media manager who helps professionals and start-up companies build an audience. As Denoshaa grew up under the care of her grandparents, she holds a personal attachment towards helping seniors and underprivileged in the community. When Denoshaa is not immersed in her passion for science and writing, she finds solace in instrumental music.
Vaishnavi Sivapalan
Treasurer
Vaishnavi Sivapalan is Real Estate Law Clerk for a lawyer who has been practicing for over 40 years in Peel Region. At a very young age, Vaishnavi knew she was a fighter and always wanted to stand up for people which inspired her to become a lawyer. She completed her undergrad at Ontario Tech University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree – majoring in Criminology and Justice Studies and a minor in Forensic Psychology. Being very career driven, Vaishnavi began working at a law firm at the age of 20 and realized her true passion was real estate. Through the world of real estate, Vaishnavi interacted with many individuals who inspired her to give back to her community. With her drive to defend individuals and stamina to help others, she took on an outlet at Senthamarai Creative Writer’s Association. During her free time, Vaishnavi expands her creativity by exploring art, décor and interior design.
Rahulan Ratnasingam
Board Member
Rahulan is an experienced editor with a demonstrated history of working in the broadcast media industry. Rahulan is skilled in Broadcasting, Video, Music Videos, Videographer and Live Video Streaming with a strong urge to work with Digital Media Arts. Rahulan graduated from Seneca College in Applied Arts and Technology where he became aware of his interests in digital media – developing experience of over 10 years. With his skill in the digital field, he joined Senthamarai Creative Writers Association Canada where he was able to enhance his video, music and broadcasting outlets. Rahulan has an ear for music and eye for detail which has allowed him to excel in various elements in the media world. During his time off, Rahulan enjoys exploring videos of music artists around the world to expand his creativity and videographer channels.