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Vijay’s got a date with the Tamil “Varusha Pirappu”
MUMBAI: Come 13 April and Vijay TV has lined up an array of programs, all dedicated to the Tamil “Varusha Pirappu” (Tamil New Year). Vijay is all set to enthrall viewers with a cruise through time with Meena, the Kollywood superstar.
This unique exclusive 3- hour television show will feature Meena accompanied by many more Kollywood stars including playback singers like Manicka Vinayagam, Tippu, Srilekha, actors – Arun Kumar, Pandiarajan, Alphonsa, Sibiraj and comedians – Santhanam, Lollu Sabha team.This star studded programme will be aired at 10 am.
The concept is essentially traveling through time and exploring each era in a chronological manner. Meena who is a fairy hosting this travel through history will begin by entering the era of the great Tamil sage Thiruvalluvar. She will talk to him about his life experiences and zap up some entertainment to bring zing to his life. Thus the entertainment is in the form of Thirukural in the form of rap and in a remixed version performed by eminent fusion musician Paul Jacob, Chinnaponnu and Dr. Gunasekaran. It also features popular traditional folk musicians like Vijayalakshmi, Navaneetha Krishnan. Finally, Meena will dance to the tunes of a popular medley. Meena’s time machine promises Tamil New Year to be a day filled with excitement.
Other exclusive programmes include a special Hello Tamizha at 8 am, with leading actor Vijay, a debate at 9 am, hosted by Dindigul Leoni the renowned mediator who steers a debate with comic interjections and witty anecdotes. This space will offer some serious laughter.
A special episode of Kelvigal Aayiram hosted by popular film actress Rohini, featuring a big-ticket celebrity will be aired at 1 pm.
The evening will witness a special event being aired, an event that impressed audiences in Singapore. The event features current rage music director Vidyasagar with a string of popular playback singers including Srinivas, Karthik, Udit Narayan and Sujatha at 8 pm.
An action packed day for ” Simply South.”
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.
