Tamil People in India and Sri Lanka

The Indian subcontinent is a peninsular region south of the Himalayas and Kuen Lun mountain ranges and east of the Indus River. There are many diverse ethnic groups among the people of the Indian subcontinent, such as: Aryan, Dravidian and Tibeto - Burman. Today, the Aryans constitute around 72 per cent of the Indian people. Most of them lived at North India. Dravidian people lived at South India, while Tibeto - Burman people lived at North-East India.

Tamils is one of the Dravidian people in India. Another Dravidian people were Brahui people, Malayali people, Telugu people, Kanadiga people and Tuluva people. Tamils mostly found in Tamil Nadu, parts of Kerala, and parts of Sri Lanka (North- East Sri Lanka). About 85% of Tamils are Hindu. But, there are also significant member of Roman Catholics and Protestants (mainly Methodists). While the Muslims are mainly Sunni followers. Tamil Culture has long tradition of tolerance in religious freedom.

In India, most of Tamils lived at Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Tamil Nadu is the seventh most populous state in India (population of about 62 million). While Kerala one of the most densely populated states in India (ranks 12th). Although Tamil Nadu has historically been one of the agricultural states, but today, Tamil Nadu is the most industrialised state in India. Also Tamil Nadu produces the highest number of engineering graduates in India. While Kerala, is one of the most literate, healthiest, and gender-equitable regions in India. Kerala's per capita GDP is significantly higher than the all India average. The service sector along with the agricultural and fishing industries dominate Kerala's economy.

Most of Sri Lankan Tamil people lived at North - East area of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan Tamils are culturally, linguistically, and religiously related to the Indian Tamils. Majority of the Sri Lankan Tamil people earn their livelihood as farmers, fishers and professionals in the civil and business sectors. But,the conflict between Tamils and Sinhalese has resulted in economic and social repercussions affecting people throughout the country. Inflation and the cost of living also rose significantly. Since the beginning of the civil war in 1983, many Sri Lankan Tamils have left the country for destinations such as India, Canada, and Europe. In the past, Sri Lankan Tamil society values education highly. But, today, Sri Lankan Tamils, economically marginalized by discrimination in employment and higher education and brutalized by state repression.