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Tamil GECs ring in the New Year
MUMBAI: As the state of Tamil Nadu and Tamilians across the country gear up to celebrate the New Year or the ‘Varsha Pirappu’, channels have lined up a slew of entertainment shows bypassing the usual shows. The New Year falling on a Monday has given some of them the chance to also start the special programming from Sunday itself. Here is what three leading GECs plan to showcase on 14 April 2014.
Raj TV
The morning will be freshened up with a chat show with Vishal and Lakshmi, from Naan Sigappu Manithan at 8:30 am followed by a ‘Patti Mandram’ with Piraosoodan, famous lyricist. This will be followed by a Kamal Haasan and Rajnikanth movie Ninaithale Inikkum. An interview with actress Ramya, of Damaal Dumeel fame is also scheduled at 2:30 pm. Then is the mega show ‘Rajavin Sangeetha Thirunal’, which is a concert conducted by Ilayaraja that was shot on 5 April in Madurai and Raj TV has the exclusive telecast rights.
Star Vijay
The day kicks off with a ‘Patti Mandram’ on the topic ‘who sacrifices most for the family’s welfare-men or women’. The speakers include Sivakasi Ramachandran, Mohana Sundaram, Sumathi, Manikandan, Uma Maheswari, TS Prema and the moderator is Arivoli. This is followed by a chat show with Vishal and Lakshmi. The afternoon time will see ‘Maan Karate – Making’ that will feature some promising actors. The movies that will be telecast include Kalyana Samayal Saadham on 13 April, Irandaam Ulagam, Ivan Vera Maadri and Kamal Haasan starrer Viswaroopam on 14 April.
Zee Tamizh
The celebrations will begin on 13 April with ‘Superstar Challenge’ at 3:00 pm which is an international Tamil singing competition held at Singapore. This will be followed by the movie Endrendrum Punnagai at 5:00 pm. The New Year shows will begin on Monday morning with ‘Balu Mahendravin Kanavu Pattarai’ which is a tribute to filmmaker Balu Mahendra. Up next will be a chat show with upcoming star Sivakarthikeyan. The afternoon will see the premiere of Jaggubhai starring Sarath Kumar and Shreya Saran. The evening will have a chat show with cast and crew of Vaaya Moodi Pesalam. A comedy show Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga will be on at 5:00 pm and the end event will be a special musical event Innisai Thamizh featuring prominent singers from Tamil industry.
Jaya TV
The channel has done an exclusive interview with Tamil superstar Rajnikanth on his movie Kochadaiiyaan at 10:00 am. The movie Vallinum is to premiere on the channel at 2:00 pm.
Looks like the broadcasters down South are ready to serve the best in entertainment to the viewers on the occasion of the Tamil New Year.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
