Kirandeep Kaur, National Hockey Player Rants Upon Struggle Of Obtaining A Scholarship

There have always been contentious topics when it comes to education. Recently, a tweet from a Malaysian athlete and student spurred an intense debate among everyone.
On 8th September, Kirandeep Kaur, our national hockey player vented out her disappointments through her social media when her application to a private university was rejected despite achieving outstanding results in her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and matriculation.
Kirandeep claimed that despite being a national athlete and scoring 9As in her SPM, she was still unable to secure a scholarship.
“I got 3.88 for matrics despite the fact that I went to the junior world cup 3 weeks before the exam, yet it’s so difficult to enter any university. I feel so unappreciated – Kirandeep Kaur”
IMAGE CREDIT: TWITTER
The 19-year-old player remarked that her tweet was referring to applications for private universities.
This is because some netizens were confused since the results for public university placement from the University Central Unit (UPU) have yet to come out.
A Twitter user quoted her tweet noting, “But the UPU result hasn’t come out yet,”
The young lass replied, “Yes, you’re right. I was referring to the private entry.”
IMAGE CREDIT: THE STAR
The National Sports Council (NSC) has subsequently responded to Kirandeep’s tweet to clarify the issue as the story has sparked intense debate among everyone.
“NSC through the Malaysian Athlete Career and Education (MACE) always provides assistance for national athletes who wish to further their studies to the highest level,” NSC responded in Kirandeep’s tweet thread.
Further clarifying this issue, NSC revealed that her application to study medicine at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) through private entry was rejected because she did not qualify, as informed by her family.
The MACE review also found that Kirandeep Kaur, had directly submitted an application to the University Central Unit (UPU) and the placement results to the local university will only be known between 25-27 September, shared NSC through their Twitter.
“Currently, we have to wait for the placement result from UPU, and MACE is always ready to help Kirandeep if her application is rejected.”
Related:  UPU Results For SPM Students Will Be Out On 7th July 2023IMAGE CREDIT: TWITTER
However, on 10th September, the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) refuted allegations made by the national hockey player regarding problems in furthering her studies and obtaining a scholarship.
According to the source, the MHC said they have, together with the National Sports Council (NSC), national coach Nasihin Nubli Ibrahim and team manager Siti Amarina Ruhani, taken note of Kirandeep’s excellent result and also made arrangements regarding her study plans soon after she completed the 2021 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.
MHC also said that, together with the NSC, they were monitoring the progress of Kirandeep, with her acceptance to a matriculation programme in Gambang in May 2021 as the first step towards her furthering her studies.
“Besides continuing with her training allowance, Kirandeep was also given the flexibility and support in terms of training that was done online and also at the Gambang matriculation centre throughout her studies in Gambang from May 2021 until May 2022.”
“This (relaxation) included Kirandeep’s decision not to represent the national team in the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in South Korea (December 2021) and the Women’s Hockey Asian Cup (January 2022) because she wanted to focus on her matriculation studies,” MHC continued.
The MHC expressed dismay at Kirandeep’s statement on Twitter on Thursday (Sept 8), describing it as a serious matter considering that various efforts and assistance had already been provided to assist the player.
“The NSC, Youth and Sports Ministry and MOHE have a very detailed and comprehensive system to ensure that all athletes are given the opportunity to excel in sports and studies,” they stated.
Well, juggling her athlete life and education while still putting up spectacular performances in both is not an easy task. Let’s hope that immediate action will be taken soon to help her in her pursuit of an education.
What do you think about this issue? Let us know in the comment box below.
Source: [1,2]
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Filed Under Kirandeep KaurMACEMalaysian Athlete Career and EducationMalaysian Hockey ConfederationMHCNational Hockey PlayerNational PlayerNational Sports CouncilNSCUniversity Central UnitUPU


Gautham Karthik’s Devarattam – An Action Packed Kampung Flick

Gautham Karthik appears to be taking a break from his string of comedy films, for an action packed kampung (village) story, Devarattam. The trailer of the film was released yesterday.
Directed by M Muthiah, the person behind the Vishal’s hit Marudhu, Devarattam will see Gautham play a lawyer who is also a thug in his village.
Manjima Mohan will be headlining Devarattam alongside Gautham. The actress is fondly remembered for her portrayal of Leela in the 2016 film Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada.
Manjima Mohan in Devarattam
Soori, Akalya Venkatesan, Ramdoss, Bose Venkat, Vinodhini Vaidyanathan, Rajkiran and Jagapathi Babu will be starring in Devarattam as well.
Of course, there is the mandatory dialogue championing the punishment of sexual harassers at the very end of the trailer. “Manna thottavana kooda vitralam, aana ponna thottavana vida koodathu” utters Gautham Karthik in rage. Hmm.. what about teaching men to respect women so that they don’t touch them in the first place?
Check out the trailer of Devarattam here. The film will release on the 1st of May.

https://youtu.be/D8bdMAb5IqcVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Devarattam Official Trailer | Gautham Karthik, Manjima Mohan | Muthaiya | Nivas K Prasanna (https://youtu.be/D8bdMAb5Iqc)

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Filed Under devarattamGautham Menonmanjima mohanSooriTrailer


WATCH: 3 Diverse #DontRushChallenge Videos We Loved

The #dontrushchallenge has been all the rage on Instagram during the movement control order. Here are 3 of these beautifully edited videos featuring Malaysians and Singaporeans that we absolutely loved!

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#dontrushchallenge • A creative mind is not a stereotyped mind; it works beyond mere sales. A creative mind is receptive, genuine yet calculated. A creative mind is nothing but creatively distinct based on collective strength. • We decided to jump on the #dontrushchallenge bandwagon to rouse things up a little. Yes, Covid-19 and all, time to reflect and re-prioritize but having a bit of fun with fellow #womenentrepreneurs is definitely timely. Whilst businesses may go through a bit of a lull period, it is important that entrepreneurs remain united and supportive of each other. It may not be the right time to #upyourgame but instead a time to instill and inculcate togetherness and comradeship. • Each of us have endeavored to don our products either primarily or in complementing our looks. Our message in participating in this challenge is very clear; stay safe, uplift each other in these uncertain times and most importantly don’t let anything weigh you down. The sun that sets today promises to rise again tomorrow. • Featuring brands; @hamsabeads @yashapalace @thasselzcollection @roovaalijuan @theofficialyuva @tara_authentic_official @cottonstories3 @hiranmayim @pattushastra ♡ Thanks @reubsvp from @ethnic.bazaar.my for the beautiful caption. Song credit : Happy Cover by Conor Maynard • #dontrushchallenge #dontrushchallengemalaysia #dontrushchallengeindia #womenentrepreneurs #stayhomestaysafe #weareinthistogether #malaysianindianonlinesellers #sareesofinstagram #sareepact #accessories #sareesandaccessories #unity #indianfashion
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It is amazing to see how so many people can be so creative despite these difficult times! Well done all.
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Filed Under cottonstories3hamsabeadshiranmayimpattushastraroovaalijuantara_authentic_officialthasselzcollectiontheofficialyuvayashapalace


Kadhal Solle; A Song That Is Perfect For Serenading Your Special Ones!

In conjunction with yesterday’s Valentine’s Day, Kadhal Solle; an official music video from the album Yenathuyireh was officially released on Shaibha Vision YouTube channel.
Music by Sundrra, the song was sung by Kumaresh Kamalakannan and Datin Sri Shaila V. The lyrics to this Yuwaji melody tune are certainly tender and sweet but the accompanying music video starring Yuvaraj Krishnasamy, Darishini Muthu, Karthik Mohan, and Nirmala Tharmarajan bring the tune into the tear-jerker status of great love songs.
This romantic tune is sure to remind you and yours what you really mean to each other.
Be warned: You might have this catchy song stuck in your head for weeks!

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Filed Under Darishini MuthuDatin Sri Shaila VKadhal SolleKarthik MohanKumaresh KamalakannanNirmala TharmarajanSundrraYenathuyirehYuvaraj Krishnasamy


Cobra; Vikram Single-Handedly Carries The Film Despite Weak Post-Production

If you’re yet to watch Vikram’s latest film, I urge you to skip this review article for the time being and come back when you’ve watched it.
With much hype for the most-anticipated movie bearing the title, Cobra – Ajay Gnanamuthu has failed to do justice to this film. Cobra is all about Vikram (Madhi) who plays a genius Mathematician role and travels across the world to commit assassinations while romancing his girl back in Chennai.
When Interpol officers involved in the investigation went ahead and nabbed him, the tale moves into various places and multiple emotions that suit his roles. But, will the officers be able to find out the mystery that took place around the murders?
Starring Chiyaan Vikram, Srinidhi Shetty, Irfan Pathan, and Roshan Mathew, the brand new film seems to have mixed reactions from the audiences.
Image Credit: SKNewsHub
Let’s talk about the positive note which can be found in the film.
Talking about the performances, Vikram’s terrific performance doesn’t need a special mention because whatever  role he is donning, he gives his best, and that is what he is known for. From Kasi to Mahaan, he is just a true gem in this film industry. A special mention of the brilliant assassination scenes and the theories that they have to play along in the story was unique indeed.
The director somehow tried to convey too much of information in a single movie with a duration of 3 hours but misfired to connect with the audience. A confusing screenplay tests your patience as there’s too much information that needs to be absorbed for an overwritten and thematically outdated thriller.
Related:  Chiyaan Vikram Tweets An Intriguing Update About "Thangalaan"Image Credit: ZeeTamil
To be honest, a better climax would have saved the film maybe…different people have different perspectives and the writer is not stopping movie goers or Vikram fans from watching Cobra. After all, it’s sure worth the watch because of Vikram’s insane performances.
On the music front, AR Rahman has never disappointed us at any cost. Every scene in the film was heavy with Isai Puyal’s pulsating score.
With all this being said, Cobra could have done better in terms of screen play, direction, and also post-production. There was a lot of expectations for the film, as the trailer promised that the movie dealt with something new that would be interesting to watch. Let’s hope Chiyaan’s following line-up of movies with Pa Ranjith will finally bring justice to his hard work.
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Filed Under ajay gnanamuthuAR RahmanChiyaan vikramcobrairfan pathanRoshan MathewSrinidhi Shetty


Thevissha Naidu Vignesvaran Impressively Sets a National Record at the Age of 3

“Children are the most learning-hungry beings in the world.”
Sometimes, the things that young kids do make us wonder if the impossible can also be possible. Having that said, one of our little ones has shattered and stamped a remarkable feat.
Thevissha Naidu Vignesvaran, a three and a half-year-old toddler, achieved a mind-blowing feat by engraving her name into the Malaysia Book of Records for being the “Fastest To Name All Asian Countries By A Preschooler”, reciting it in just 38.11 seconds. (Impressive, isn’t it?)
This brilliant kid marked her entry in the National Book on April 10 at Matrix International School; she is also schooled at this international school.
IMAGE CREDIT: ENTAMIZH VANNAGAL
According to Entamizh Vannangal, this is not the only amazing feat she can do; Thevissa is also able to name 9 solar planets in 6 seconds, 14 states of Malaysia in 10 seconds, naming our 10 prime ministers, reciting Rukun Tetangga and Negaraku Song, naming 51 Asian countries, and more
Matrix Global Schools has congratulates Thevissha for her wonderful achievement
“What an incredible achievement and memory to be able to remember all the 48 Asian countries at such a tender age. Warmest congratulations to Thevissha and her parents!”

Well done Thevissha and best wishes for your next adventure lil’one!
Source: [1]
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Filed Under Malaysia Book of Recordmalaysian achievementMalaysian National RecordNational RecordThevissha Naidu Vignesvaran


5 Celebrity Warriors Who Fought Cancer and Won The Fatal Illness

One of the most difficult battles one may encounter is the fight against cancer. It’s because cancer severely weakens your mental and physical health. It takes tremendous courage to endure the arduous and tumultuous process of medications and treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and more.
Consequently, we can call them brave warriors as they have endured this arduous and painful path for some time. However, cancer itself is a big weight but being in the spotlight while fighting this dreadful cancer is daunting.
In light of India’s National Cancer Awareness Day, it is only fair to commemorate those who went through the battle with this deadly disease and came out as winners.
Here is a list of Indian celebrities who defeated the horrendous cancer:
Mamta Mohandas
Mamta Mohandas survived cancer not once but twice.
The actress and singer from the Malayalam industry, have acted in several Tamil movies such as Enemy, Sivappathigaram, Guru En Aalu and Jana Gana Mana, Mamta was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2009. It’s a type of cancer that affects the body’s lymph nodes. She was in her 20s and very new to the film industry as well. It was the beginning of a 7-year-long battle with the disease for the actress. Mamta had a relapse in 2013 following a failed bone marrow transplant.
IMAGE CREDIT: ONEINDIA MALAYALAM
Following that, in 2016, she moved to the United States of America to undergo continual treatment. She was one of the first to be part of a clinical trial for FDA approved drug called nivolumab (Opdivo) for the treatment of patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
In 2019, when the world of social media was hooked to the #10-year challenge, Mamta too participated in it, reflecting on her journey with cancer.
“As it’s WORLD CANCER DAY, I had decided that my #10yearchallenge will have to wait until today “I GOT CANCER… CANCER DIDN’T GET ME” (sic),” she began her Instagram post.

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Gautami Tadimalla
Who doesn’t know this brilliant actress?
Gautami is an Indian actress, social worker, costume designer, and politician who has predominantly worked in Tamil and Telugu entertainment industries while also working in several Malayalam, Hindi, and Kannada films. She is one of the leading South Indian female actors from 1987 to 1998 who were ruling the industry back then.
IMAGE CREDIT: THE HINDU
Gautami faced cancer at the age of 35 and ever since it has been a long road to recovery for her. “My fight with cancer changed my outlook towards life. I don’t take it for granted anymore. Every single day counts and we must live it to the fullest. Making small changes in our daily routine actually adds value to life,” she says.
When Gautami was diagnosed, her daughter was just five years old. “She has played a pivotal role in fighting cancer,” says Gautami, adding, “This is what I have been spreading the word about.”
“I realised that after I thought life was over, there was life again. It’s with that thought that I and a close circle of friends have started Life Again Foundation,” says Gautami, who now actively works through a network of volunteers and NGOs across cities in helping cancer patients.
Our motto is to lend a helping hand in whichever way possible to cancer fighters. It really takes courage to fight against something which you don’t know whether you will conquer- Gautami Tadimalla
Manisha Koirala
Mudhalvan fame actress is also one of the brave warriors who fought cancer.
Monisha Koirala is an actress from the Tamil and Hindi film Industries who gave blockbuster movies such as Mudhalvan, Indian, Alavandhan, Bombay and Mapillai (New). In 2012, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when she was 42 years old. After a long fight, she was declared cancer-free in 2015.
IMAGE CREDIT: ZEE5
Monisha had also undergone treatment in the US. Back in 2018, speaking to a news portal, Manisha shared that the diagnosis and the treatment changed her as a person.
She also added, “We need to spread awareness of the disease, and all the stories that are filled with hope need to be told and retold. Let’s be kind to ourselves and to the world. I’d pray for everyone’s health and well-being. Thank you.”

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During her treatment, she went through psychological breakdowns. Since she survived the disease, she started supporting various NGOs and organizations that help cancer patients. She launched her autobiography – Healed: How Cancer Gave Me A New Life -on 8th January 2018 in Mumbai. In addition, she opened up about her ordeal with cancer and emerging as a survivor in her book.
Sanjay Dutt
KGF 2 star, Sanjay Dutt is also a cancer survivor.
Sanjay Dutt is an Indian actor who primarily works in Hindi cinema and is very famous for his role in KGF 2. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in August 2020.
Two months later, Sanjay shared a health update saying he has come out victorious in his battle with the deadly disease. While Sanjay was undergoing treatment for cancer, doctors told him that there was a 50-50 per cent chance.

When Sanjay defeated cancer, he posted a statement on Instagram expressing joy while making the announcement. “The last few weeks were very difficult time for my family and me. But like they say, God gives the hardest battles to his strongest soldiers. And today, on the occasion of my kids’ birthday, I am happy to come out victorious from this battle and be able to give them the best gift I can-the health and well-being of our family,”
Sonali Bendre
Only with 2 movies in Tamil, this Bollywood actress captured the hearts of many.
Sonali Bendre, is an actress who acted in the romantic Tamil movie, Kadhalar Dhinam back in 1999 and gave massive hits in the Bollywood film industry.
In 2018, Sonali Bendre was diagnosed with metastatic cancer, had a 30% chance of survival and the actress spent several months at a hospital in New York for treatment. She revealed that during her treatment her husband and son supported him throughout and helped her gain all the willpower and strength to fight the disease.
IMAGE CREDIT: INEXTLIVE
On National Cancer Survivors Day 2021, Sonali revisited her cancer battle and shared a motivational post on her social media handles. She shared a before and after picture of herself and wrote, “How time flies… today when I look back, I see strength, I see weakness but most importantly I see the will to not let the C-word define how my life will be after it… You create the life you choose. The journey is what you make of it… so remember to take #One Day At A Time and to #Switch On The Sunshine.”

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Cancer is a word, not a sentence. Cancer is NOT a death sentence. It’s just one word in your sentence; one part of your life.
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Filed Under #One Day At A TimecancerFatal IllnessGautami TadimallaHodgkin lymphomaKadhalar DhinamMamta MohandasManisha KoiralaMudhalvanNational Cancer Awareness DaySanjay DuttSonali BendreUnited States of America


Aruvi Review: An Extremely Hilarious Giant Middle Finger To Society

Aruvi is a fascinating film. One that would certainly put debutant writer-director Arun Prabhu on the map. Except this man clearly doesn’t give a shit about the map or my stupid opinions or having Vijay do a backflip and burst into song. He also clearly doesn’t care about making money because this movie is going to make peanuts. But you know what? Aruvi is exactly the movie Indian cinema needs right now.
The film opens in a thrilling fashion, with an interrogation scene. The reporters claim that the subject in question is a terrorist. We will soon find out that she’s definitely not a terrorist. We will also find out that this isn’t a crime thriller as the opening scene might suggest, but a satire.

But first, we’re met with a series of flashbacks. It is here that the film starts to feel different — not in terms of plot but rather the way it is shot and edited. Or at the very least, it is something we’re not accustomed to seeing in Indian cinema. Aruvi, for the most part, emits an arthouse vibe, playing like a Sundance thumbsucker. It’s a risky move. And for that risk alone, this movie deserves some applaud.
The flashback sequences feature weird shaky cam shots, edited in a way that it plays like a jagged dream. But Arun Prabhu doesn’t make these choices for the heck of it, but with purpose and conviction. It’s clear that Aruvi isn’t exactly level headed and the choppy flashback sequences highlight just that.
In these sequences, we learn about her past and the love she has for her family, particularly her dad. In one scene, we see young Aruvi scolding her dad for smoking a cigarette (I wonder if all daughters do that because my sister does that too). Aruvi’s dad drops the cigarette, but not before taking one last lungful. This scene is important, because it marks Aruvi’s dad’s love for her. It will also mark how it all goes to shit, later.

For reasons that I will not spoil, Aruvi is forced to drop out of college, is ostracized by her family and ends up living on welfare with a transgender woman who becomes her closest friend. One thing leads to another and Aruvi ends up on a reality TV show called Solvadhellam Sathyam — yes, the name is purposely ridiculous — and the movie reaches its climax. And holy shit are these sequences bloody BRILLIANT.
It is here that all the characters really get a chance to shine. What these actors do, especially Aditi Balan as Aruvi and Lakshmi Gopalaswamy as the reality show host, is incredible. It takes a certain level of charisma and personality to maintain a straight face while saying (and doing) ridiculous things. Think General Hux (Domhall Gleeson) in The Last Jedi and everybody in Kill Bill.
The best part is, none of the comedy is slapstick. The Solvadhellam Sathyam sequences have some of the wittiest, incredibly smart dialogues written of the year. And not just for a Tamil movie, but all year, period. It isn’t shy and really goes balls deep with its dark humour. Like any great dark comedy, there are numerous moments throughout this movie that made me feel unsure if I should laugh. Am I an asshole for laughing? Should I even be laughing?
Like that one teenager who repeatedly asks how a transgender can engage in a foursome with three other men. This isn’t written in mean taste. It is probably something that most of us have wondered as a teenager, only to search “transgender foursome” on Redtube and regretting our decision immediately after (unless you’re into that, which is cool too).
There is that ONE scene involving three characters doing improv. I swear to God, I laughed so hard, I can skip abs exercises for the next five months. Which is great for me, because I never do abs exercises anyway.
It is during the reality show sequences where we peel the layers and understand what this movie is about. Aruvi is an extremely feminist movie. It is a middle finger to our patriarchal, oppressive society. It is a middle finger to men; It is a middle finger to the women who support the very same social construct that oppresses them; It is a middle finger to the media too. It is a middle finger we all bloody deserve. And the movie should’ve ended there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgYYxs_d_boVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Aruvi – Official Trailer | Arun Prabu | Bindhu Malini, Vedanth | Dream Warrior Pictures (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgYYxs_d_bo)

But then the movie continues and I can’t for the life of me figure out why. Did Arun Prabhu get pressured by the producers? Because while the epilogue of the film is brilliantly acted, it feels like it belongs in a completely different movie. It is here that Aruvi goes from being an inspired, well-written satire to a movie that gets on its knees and begs for attention.
Hey you! Yes you, hot stuff. Like my article? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Also, don’t forget to share it with your buds.
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Filed Under Aruvi


When A Lead Singer Saves The Day

The windy Saturday evening saw people mulling about the foyer of the PJ Civic Centre. No, it wasn’t a wedding dinner or an arangetram, we were all gathered there for Raaghav Productions’ show, A Tribute to SPB by SP Charan and Swagatha.
Image Credits: Barathan Amuthan
SPB Charan
SPB Charan is no stranger to the Tamil music fraternity. Most might attribute that to his initials. In actual fact, Charan is a successful singer, producer and cinematographer in his own right.
Charan kicked the show off with his rendition of a SPB favourite, Illaya Nila before gracing us with an upbeat version of Nilaave Vaa. He then tells the audience that the next song isn’t an SPB number, but he was asked to sing it by the organizers, and starts belting out Kaadhal Sadugudu to a thunderous applause.
To say that Charan did a fantastic job that night would be an understatement. He blew us away with his renditions of songs like Kaadhalil Geetham Ondru, Mandram Vantha Thendralluku, Ennai Kaanavileye, Mun Paniya and Thanga Thamarai Magale. At times, he sounded exactly like his father, and other times, he was distinctly Charan. His rich, creamy voice is one that almost feels unreal, and the audience was captivated by his breathtaking vocal capabilities.
Image Credits: Barathan Amuthan
Swagatha
Swagatha may be relatively new to the industry, but she took to the stage like a fish to water. Not only did she inject an element of youth to the show, she did justice to the songs she sang with Charan as well as her solo performances.
Thankfully, she isn’t one of those singers who constantly hit the high notes and sound like Minnie Mouse dancing on hot coals. Swagatha’s voice is soulful and honeyed, yet soothing.
Swagatha Krishna | Image Credits: Barathan Amuthan
Starting of strong with her rendition of Sid Sriram’s Adiye, Swagatha cruised into a duet with Charan of a crowd favourite, En Veetu Thottathil. Her version of Chinna Chinna Aasai was mellifluous, and in tandem with the band that did the reggae beat justice. She then toned things down with a medley of Nila Kaigirathu, Kannuku Mai Azhagu, Netru Illatha Maatram and finishing up with Thoda Thoda Malarnthathu.
The audience was left in awe after her performance of A R Rahman’s Konjam Nilavu, her high notes were all on point.
Swagatha Krishna | Image Credits: Barathan Amuthan
Responding to a ridiculous request by the host, Swagatha even sang a kuthu version of Munbe Vaa! The girl certainly does have swag!
Charan’s duet with Swagatha for the song Sundari Kannal was so beautiful that it may have given SP Bala and Janaki a run for their money.
The Other Highlight: The Band!
The band accompanying Charan and Swagatha was a 7 piece Malaysian ensemble. This consisted of The Banditz, a local pop/jazz band, with bassist Jeffrey Anthony, keyboardist Siddarth, guitarist Kevin and drummer Gustine. The quartet joined forces with three more talented musicians just for this show, famed keyboardist, Thiagu, flautist Sesatre Bansuri and percussionist Lock Up Mathan.
Flutist, Sesathre Bansuri | Image Credits: Barathan Amuthan
The musicians performed brilliantly. The Banditz are certainly a breath of fresh air. They were probably the highlight of the night, if not for Charan and Swagatha. Flautist Sesatre stunned the audience with his flute interlude and left us speechless when he was told to take the stage for two minutes while Swagatha sorted herself out.

Lock Up Mathan handled the percussion and tabla so well, that he played both instruments at the same time during En Veetu Thottathil. His solo during Kaatukuyilu Manasukkulle brought back all of those Thalapathi memories and we were left thirsty for more Rajinikanth by the end of it. Absolutely brilliant.
Related:  "Thennisai Thendral Deva" A Masterpiece Musical Breeze Down Memory LaneLocal singer Shaktieswar Shanmugam joined the duo on stage for a few songs. This youngster introduced himself adorably before singing Chikku Bukku and Humma Humma with Swagatha. Shakti performed with Charan for the songs Ennai Kaanavileye and Kadhalikkum Penin, in both of which he made us proud. The young singer has a very bright future ahead of him.
Singer Shakti With Swagatha Image Credits: Barathan Amuthan
Hosts Made Bearable By Charan
The hosts for the night were Nizam and Jana. While they may be fantastic human beings, they aren’t very good at hosting events like these. Nizam comes across as a wedding-dinner-in-the-house-porch emcee, whereas Jana had a limited vocabulary consisting of two lines “Wow, wow, wow” and “What a beautiful voice!”
Luckily, Charan is quite a witty chap. His laser sharp one liners in response to the hosts sometimes silly questions provided us with the mirthful relief we needed to get through the night. One particularly comedic moment was during the concert that consisted of rearranged songs, Jana asks Swagatha, “Can you please sing a melodious song in another genre of music?” To which Charan replies, “Didn’t we just do that?” The audience roared an applause, and yet the hosts were oblivious.

The timing of the hosts felt a little odd too. A confused Charan declared to the audience at one point, “I have no idea why they just came on stage,”
Charan is a man of a few words, but a keen observer. His banter with the mediocre hosts made the evening enjoyable and glossed over the faults in the show. Charan really held the concert together, never once hinting at annoyance even though he was forced to leech on to band member Jeffrey’s hotspot to download lyrics to one of the songs.
We Embarrass Ourselves, Yet Again.
The audience that attended the show could be divided into two groups. One group understands punctuality and were seated within 15 minutes of the doors being opened. The other group have zero respect for the performers on stage and shamelessly waltz in ONE HOUR after the show had begun.
This obviously irked Charan himself. He delayed performing his third song because people were will walking in and fumbling to locate their seats in the darkness. He even joked that perhaps next time we should start the show at 9pm, because of these latecomers.
Image Credits: Barathan Amuthan
We don’t blame him. Not only is it distracting for the performer, but it is also utterly RUDE to not adhere to the timing stated on your tickets. Get a grip, Malaysians!
Room For Improvement
Raaghav Productions are seasoned organizers in the industry who have even hosted SP Bala earlier this year. However, there is room for improvement with this concert. They could have done better with the selection of hosts, social media presence and overall organization of the show.
The performances were great, but it could have been greater if the band has rehearsed with the singers, according to Charan. This was glaringly obvious with the singers and the band being caught out of sync a few times. The sound system could have been improved as it felt like the singers were drowned out by the loud music at times.
Overall, it was an enjoyable show thanks to Charan and the band that night, we surely hope that this paves the way for more good quality concerts in 2019.

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Filed Under Raaghav ProductionsSP BalaSPB Charantribute


Former Harimau Malaya Coach Datuk K. Rajagobal Appointed As Head Coach For Brunei Team

Former ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Championship-winning coach Datuk Rajagobal Krishnasamy has been appointed as the new head coach of the Brunei Darussalam national football team for a two-year term. The AFF Championship 2021 is set to take place from 11th April to 8th May.
After several weeks of evaluation on the Brunei Darussalam National Football Team application, the Executive Committee of the Brunei Darussalam National Football Association selected Rajagobal of Malaysia as the new head coach of the Brunei Darussalam National Football Team.

During a press conference yesterday at the NFABD Residence, NFABD President Pengiran Haji Matusin Pengiran Haji Matasan made the announcement. Rajagobal will guide the national players to participate in regional and international tournaments, especially in the  AFF Suzuki Cup qualifying round.
Under his guidance as the head coach, Malaysia had won the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2009 and the AFF Championship in 2010.
The 64-year-old former Harimau Malaya coach has 30 years of club-level experience having coached footie teams comprising of PKNS FC, Selangor, Kelantan and Sarawak before returning to coach PKNS FC from 2017 to 2019.
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Filed Under AppointedASEAN Football Federation (AFF) ChampionshipBrunei CoachBrunei Darussalam National Football TeamDatuk K. RajagobalFormer Harimau Malaya


“No Penalty for Unsubscribing of Chakravarthy Pack” – Astro

Last week, a Varnam report made it known that satellite television provider Astro will be ceasing the broadcast of three out of five Tamil channels it currently offers.
From 11.59pm on the 31st of May 2020, Jaya TV, Raj TV and Kalaignar TV will no longer be broadcast on their service.
Yesterday, a representative from Astro reached out to the Varnam team to announce that there will be no penalty if Chakravarthy Pack customers unsubscribe from 1 June 2020 to 31 August 2020.
there will be no penalty if Chakravarthy Pack customers unsubscribe, from the 1st of June 2020 to the 31st of August 2020.

The Astro representative also added that the service provider will continue to offer customers more high definition (HD) channels for a better viewing experience for their customers.
In line with this, customers using the older version of the Astro box (Legacy box) which cannot access HD channels are encouraged to upgrade their box at no additional charge and no contract.
Astro customers may do this on CH 200 or by calling 03 9543 3838.
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Filed Under Astrochakravarthy packagejaya tvkalaignar tvraj tv


Peichi; Home Ministry Bans M Navin’s Novel On The Pretext Of ‘Pornographic’ Elements

Malaysia regularly bans books, movies and songs that may include sensitive, religious or sexual content, but critics say in recent times the government has been clamping down harder on the authors and their publication.
Referring to the book “Peichi”, the local Tamil author M Navin’s work has been banned believed to contain inappropriate content as described by the Home Ministry.
Source: NewsMinute
According to Navin, the 280-page novel is based on true incidents which focuses on the lives of Malaysian Tamils and and native Tamils from Tamil Nadu villages in India. At least 30 people died and others suffered from the side effects such as blindness after consuming illegally brewed samsu in Lunas, Kedah.
Apart from that, the novel also depicts tragedies which took place in 1981, 1991 and 2019, with a female protagonist as its lead character.
A rape scene featuring the main female character was the only “pornographic” moment in the novel, said Navin. In Malaysia, Tamil literature has not experienced active growth for the past 50 years, and is instead on the decline. As opposed to the popularity of international literature, Tamil literature has a long way to go in the country.
Source: NewsMinute
“I wrote about the depravity of disfiguring a woman who was looked down upon by her caste, colour and social status. This part has been termed as ‘pornography’.
“Most people read only a few lines, a few parts, and then comment on it,” he told Free Malaysia Today (FMT) in an interview.
Navin added that Tamil literature is too passive and inconsistent when compared to the development of international literature.

Shortly after the ban, Tamil authors and readers extended their support to Navin from all over the world. Vallinam (Malaysia) and Yaavarum (Tamil Nadu) publications have jointly published the book.
Tamil is one of the oldest languages in the world. In India, Tamil literature is highly acknowledged and appreciated by the Tamils and even non-Tamil communities in India.
Yet, in Malaysia, such beautiful and treasured content are banned with a baseless reason, for the so-called ‘pornographic’ element.
What do you think of the ban? Share with us your thoughts in the comment section below.
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EXCLUSIVE: Mano Maniam – Beyond the Actor

He grew up watching sandiwaras on stage, and later reenacting them with his friends from the neighbourhood. It was only natural for Mano Maniam to grow into an accomplished stage actor.
His stint as Uncle Chandran on the Malaysian sitcom Kopitiam made him relatable to the average Malaysian, and his role as Moonshee in Hollywood’s Anna and the King gave him worldwide recognition. And boy, was he loved. The 74 year old thespian is also an academician, writer, Tamil language enthusiast, cultural anthropologist and avid traveller.
Mano talks to Varnam about his complicated relationship with the arts, his love for our nation and his views on the Malaysian diaspora.

“I grew up in a new country called Malaya,”
He recollects his early childhood, “I was born at the end of the second world war, and I grew up in this new country called Malaya, just as it was opening up,”
“After we gained independence, I got my first piece of paper saying that I’m a Malayan. There was no plastic in those days. Just this 6 x 4 inch sheet which was a carbon copy of the registration, that I held on to, and was so proud to hold,” he tells us.
Acting as a form of entertainment
When asked how did acting come into his life, he replies, “I could write a chapter in a book on this! It happened during my childhood. After World War II ended, there was very little – even in terms of jobs and food, what more media. You were lucky if you could afford an old radio. That would be the only source of entertainment and information,”
“It was with the neighbourhood kids I spent my time with, inventing and playing games. If a person was lucky enough to see a movie, he would return and tell us all the story. And I think that’s where the imagination would come in. We would reenact what we saw endlessly until the next movie comes along. This was our entertainment – telling stories and playing the parts in the story,”
We would reenact what we saw endlessly until the next movie comes along.
Shakespeare, and then the world! But Brickfields always wins
“My first stage involvement was in the year 1961. It began with a school production in my school, the Anglo Chinese School in Ipoh, in a few Shakespearean plays until in 1963, I played the title role of Macbeth,” Shakespeare’s work grew on him.
Since that first stage appearance, Mano has been in 5 different productions of Macbeth over a span of 29 years. He has also taken on a role that very few would dare attempt – King Lear. “I have played all of Shakespeare’s tragic roles except Hamlet. Shakespeare plays gave me my educational training. And just like that, it has been 58 years!”
Mano pictured with young Huzir Sulaiman in the 1982 production of Shakuntala. Image credit: Mano Maniam
Mano was the recipient of the Fulbright Distinguished Artiste Award in 2000. “As a result of the Fulbright Award, I went to America in the year 2000. I was attached to a few universities and I worked in the theatre departments. My scope of work didn’t just end with the celluloid. I have attended and conducted workshops in Malaysia, India and America,”
On the local front, Mano has won the Best Supporting Actor award in the Malaysian Film Festival for the Malay film Mat Gelap in 1984. He also had played Tun Sambanthan in a Tamil language play, Sambanthan by Fenomena Arts Group. In his career, Mano has played Jawahalal Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore and most recently, this year, Mahatma Gandhi.
Mano’s humility, however, shines through, “That’s just one part of me. You’ll see me in Brickfields, walking around in a pair of shorts and a singlet. That’s just who I am,” he smiles.
You’ll see me in Brickfields, walking around in a pair of shorts and a singlet. That’s just who I am
“Only two weeks ago, I was still performing,”
The veteran actor hasn’t waved goodbye to the arts, he tells us, “Only two weeks ago, I was still performing. There is a revival of the local hit comedy series Kopitiam, called Kopitiam: Double Shot, and the original cast will be seen in a few episodes,” he tells us.
“In the world of theatre, there are always debts to pay. These are debts of kindness. Although I said that I would step down in 2016, there were a few debts that I decided to honour and I last performed in August this year,”
Ah, Kopitiam
As he reminisces about his stint on Kopitiam, he tells us, “I got a call from Joe Hasham telling me about this new guy in town, a Malaysian who had been in the United Kingdom and now wanted to produce a local sitcom, sometime in 1997,”
“Of course, at the time, I didn’t know who Ng Ping Ho (the creator of Kopitiam) was. He called me up, and we met,” Not knowing the norms of Malaysia served Ng well, Mano recollects, because his idea was gold.
Mano played Uncle Chandran on the Malaysian hit comedy show, Kopitiam
“He told me that he was trying to create a local sitcom based on the American show Cheers. The setting obviously couldn’t be a pub, so it was a coffee shop. It was also based on Friends, he told me. So it’s Cheers plus Friends in a kopitiam in KL,”
“I asked him, what do you have for old people, then? The cast is on the young side. They needed a guy my age, so I roped in Tan Jin Chor. And then we had Joanna Bessey, Douglas Lim, Lina Teoh and Rashid Salleh. We did the pilot in 1997, and as they say, the rest is history,” he smiles.
“In 1998, it was ready. At about that time, a brand new television station had started, called NTV7. They were working on getting the license to broadcast, because the stipulation was that 40% of the content needed to be local. They watched Kopitiam, and they grabbed it, saying they want it for 3 seasons,” Mano tells us.
A recent shot of the Kopitiam cast. Image credit: The Star
He was also a corporate figure
Mano was the head of a private organisation for some time, in addition to his acting and academics. “Not many people knew this about me. My corporate career was separate from my teaching and acting,”
“In fact, I would always claim that I had a brother who was the actor. I had to! Imagine talking business over a table, and being asked, “Hey, aren’t you the actor?” My response would be, “Oh no, not again, I’m going to kill my brother! People always mistake me for him because of his acting!”” he laughs.
“Malaysian Indians need to show more than we crow”
The Malaysian Indian community often perplexes Mano, “We need to show more than we crow. Our ability to use the language and think in terms of our culture is on a downhill gradient. This, in turn, gives an oomph to those who say that vernacular schools should be shut down,”
“There have been many voices of late, telling us to go back to where we came from. Our only response is this – we need dig into ourselves, listen to that voice inside and keep going to pursue our goals and ambitions. That’s really the only way to go about it,” he says sternly.

Having completed his postgraduate studies in intercultural management in the 1970s, Mano is also a culture critique. “I go back and forth between this acculturisation process of Tamil culture and the other cultures of Malaysia,”
“When I did my thesis on Malaysia, we were just recovering from 1969. And let me tell you, we cannot afford to have another 1969, because in the next one, someone will lose and someone will win. That isn’t what we want.” he says.
“Keep the Tamil culture alive!”
His late father, Mr M S Maniam, was a huge influence in his life then, and now. “My father was an English school teacher, Tamil journalist and crusader, a real puratchi kaarar. He was the founder of the Agila Malaya Tamilar Sangam in the 1960s. It was an organisation that advocated the Tamil language and culture,” Mano has his father to thank for his passion for the Tamil language.
“The Tamil institutions, schools, dance and music academies, temples and festivals, keep all of this going. Make learning Tamil fun! If a child attempts to speak Tamil, however mangled it may be, don’t laugh at him or her. Encourage them. If you lose three, and save two out of five, it is still something. You cannot simply throw away the baby with the bathwater,”
Mano with his parents and younger brother in 1951. Image credit: The Nut Graph
All this ties back to his late father, Mano tells us. “In fact, when I went to pursue my undergraduate studies in university, my father told me that I must study Tamil for the three years of my course. And so I did, although my major was geography. I am a true appanukku pirantha magan,”
“Avan koothadi”
“You know, there is also a group of people in any society who do not look very kindly upon artists or actors. It’s a thought from the Sangam era, where the acting troop consisted of runaways and prostitutes. They were not to be trusted. So there has been a stigma on actors in our culture.” Mano explains.
“Avan koothadi, they say derogatorily. Actors had been reduced to that level, from a different time when they were seated next to the kings or zamindars, the very people who funded the arts,”
“We are not koothadis. No, we are serious people, we show the future what our past was. In this trade and art, friendship, kinship, trust and helping one another is at the very core of it,” he states.
Mano, flanked by Jodie Foster and Chow Yun Fatt on the sets of Hollywood’s Anna and the King. Image credit: Mano Maniam
Retirement? Nonsense!
“I never retired! I just walked out of my job. Why do you want to wait until you’re grey and stooped to have someone put a gold watch on your wrist and say, now you’re retired, go to pasture? Nobody has that right over my life. I quit the corporate world at the age of 46. For close to thirty years I have been unemployed, and I like to call it unemployable,” he declares.
The travel bug bit Mano long before it became trendy. “Traveling gives me ‘oh my God’ moments. Just a month ago, I had it in Lake Toba, Sumatra. Before that, in Mount Santorini where I ventured without my crutches after an injury, and in Iceland, where there was another inactive volcano. I am headed to the Pyramids of Giza next!”
“I am enjoying life very much. As I travel, I read and I write. In fact, I am now trying to consolidate my writing over the years and make some sense of it, if someone else at sometime, somewhere were to read it,” Mano tells us.

“I still act, and repay debts of kindness. Its not that I am itchy or want to be popular, but it is the single, longest unbroken activity in my life,” Having done it in three languages across various forms of media, from the box to the screen to the stage to now being online, in over 4 continents, the septuagenarian has much to be proud of.
 Having done it in three languages across various forms of media, from the box to the screen to the stage to now being online, in over 4 continents, the septuagenarian has much to be proud of.
“I owe it to my neighbourhood friends,”
We talk about his almost 6 decades of experience in theatre, to which he quips, “I owe it very much to my father and my comrades. Also my neighbourhood friends who told each other stories. That was our entertainment, you see, it all started then, 70 years ago,”
Mano Maniam may be at the pinnacle of success, but he hasn’t had enough. “Life is defined by the art of becoming, but to never become,” he says. “It is the process of doing something, being better, and always staying in tune with the forces around you. The body dies eventually, but the spirit lives on,”
Kopitiam is currently streaming on Netflix.
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Filed Under KopitiamKopitiam: Double ShotMalaysian actorMano Maniam


Kajal Aggarwal To Debut In Hollywood?

Looks like Kajal Aggarwal, who has some interesting projects like Indian 2 with Kamal Haasan, Paris Paris and few Tollywood movies in pipeline, is all set for her debut in Hollywood.
Yes, you heard that right!
The latest buzz is that the pretty actress has been approached for a Hollywood crossover film and she too has expressed interest in it.
The actress is set to play the lead in a big-budget bilingual movie, which is simultaneously made in English and Telugu. Vishnu Manchu is bankrolling it under his banner VMR Entertainment. It has also been said that Kajal Aggarwal will be seen playing a different character and will be sporting a completely new look.
The film is touted to be a gripping drama that will entertain all sections of the audience. Kajal Aggarwal is expected to be seriously contemplating on the offer and is expected to sign the film soon. The movie has been tentatively titled Bhakta Kannappa by the makers. Kajal will be sharing screen space with Tollywood actor Vishnu Manchu.
More updates to follow!
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Filed Under Kajal Aggarwal


Trisha Speaks For Violence Against Children At #ENDviolence Youth Talk!

Trisha Krishnan who is also a UNICEF Advocate has urged 3000 young people to speak up and act to end all forms of violence against children.
Speaking at the #ENDviolence Youth Talks, Trisha spoke about the increased number of cases registered under the POCSO between 2014 to 2016.

She said,
“As per the NCRB 2016 report, the cases reported under the POCSO Act in 2014 was about 9,000, 2015 it was 15,000 and 2016 it has doubled to 36,000 cases.”
She revealed the crimes and child rapes are committed by the person in position of trust and known to the child. That is disgusting!
“About 95% of the offenders of rape cases are known to the victim. This speaks of unsafe environment looming all around for our children,”
Trisha also urged 3000 youth leaders takes pledge to speak up and raise awareness.End Violence Against Children is a unique collaborative effort that includes UNICEF and other UN agencies, governments, civil society, young people, advocates and champions, all focused on one thing: making the world safe for children.
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Filed Under TamilTrishaunicef


Christmas; How Did The Culture of Exchanging Gifts Begin?

We welcome Christmas with joy and good cheer into our homes, caroling, dressing up and gathering with our loved ones to celebrate. Christmas is celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and gifts have been synonymous with the joyous occasion for centuries.
One of the delights of the Christmas season is giving and receiving gifts. For youngsters, this is a very exciting moment. Coming downstairs early on Christmas morning to discover stockings packed with Christmas sweets and a mound of colourfully wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree brings back memories for most of us.
Image credit: lerablog
We offer presents to show our love and admiration for those we care about. Love looks out for the best interests of the one who is loved. Giving presents should be motivated by our desire to commemorate the birth of our Savior, who gave us the most precious gift of all: salvation.
But why do we embark on this annual gift-giving ritual? Now let’s delve a little further to find out why.
Part 1: The Wise Men’s Gifts to Jesus
Image credit: abc
Christmas, according to Christianity, was God’s gift to mankind in the incarnation of Jesus (as it was His birthday). When Jesus was born, it is said that a group of men (known as the Wise Men) travelled a long distance to present Him with gifts.
The group bowed and offered Jesus with gold, frankincense, and myrrh when they finally met Him. As a result, the tradition of giving gifts developed to honour, love, and respect one another.
Part 2: Pagan Rituals are the Origin
According to one version, the origins of gift-giving may be traced back to Pagan ceremonies. Paganism is a religion that is not one of the major global faiths, yet many Christmas practises, such as gift-giving, have been taken from the Pagans.
During the holiday season in Northern Europe, a gang of young men would go from home to home collecting items. With the passage of time, the ritual got more personal, and it became more popular among family and friends.
Part 3: Saint Nicholas and the Gift-Giving Secret!
Image credit: bodocomtr
In early Greek Orthodox tradition, St. Nicholas was the most well-known saint. Saint Nicholas was born in Patara, Asia Minor, about the year 280, the sole child of a wealthy, old couple (present-day Turkey).
Since mediaeval times, this character known as Sinterklaas in Dutch and Père Nol in France has played an important role in European folklore during the holiday season, turning into the annual gift-giver who is claimed to deliver children their presents. Nicholas contributed freely to the needy, but he did it anonymously so that God might receive the honour.
Image credit: rachelrayshow
Giving gifts on 25th December has become as much a part of Christmas as a roasted supper or a festively illuminated tree.
Every year, millions of people travel to stores on the high street and online to cross items off their Christmas wish list so they may give their loved ones something special.
It is crucial to remember that the true reason individuals give gifts is to demonstrate respect and gratitude for others, which is a good trait.
Giving gifts has always been a gesture of goodwill toward others, and it is likely to be remembered for a long time.
Varnam wishes all our readers a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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Filed Under ChristianityChristmas 2021Christmas giftGreek OrthodoxPagan RitualsSaint Nicholas


Sarawak to Impose 14-day Stay Home Notice For Everyone Entering the State

Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg has said that the state government will be taking several strict control measures to contain the Covid-19 outbreak, by extending the school holidays and imposing a mandatory 14 day stay home notice for visitors to Sarawak.

During a press conference, the Chief Minister has also mentioned that all visitors, foreign and domestic, coming into Sarawak and returning Sarawakians will be issued with a 14-day stay home notice. “This includes Sarawak residents and long-term and short-term pass holders. The relevant agencies will monitor the stay home notice holders through random visits, phone calls, and modern technology applications.” he said.
This comes into effect on Wednesday (March 18) and exemptions will only be given by the state Health Department to those required to travel under special circumstances, such as official and business duties.
The state government had decided to take such stringent measures in Sarawak as the number of Covid-19 positive cases increased from 20 yesterday to 34 today. Another 186 cases are awaiting lab results.
All public sports facilities, including swimming pools, stadiums and gyms are to be closed effective Tuesday until further notice.
He also said all state government functions involving more than 50 people will be cancelled or postponed until further notice.
“Any public functions involving more than 50 persons are strongly advised to be postponed or cancelled until further notice. Everyone is advised to practise the highest standard of personal hygiene and to strictly practise social distancing,” he said.
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Filed Under 14-day Stay Home NoticeDatuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg


Of Sexually Deviant Poets and the Song of Denial

The #metoo wave has hit the Indian entertainment industry, and it hit hard. The past two weeks saw members the Bollywood film fraternity name and shame actors for sexual harassment and sexual assault. The hashtag on social media has hit other fields as well, including journalists, corporate bigwigs and even politicians. A few of the accused have come forward and apologized, an unprecedented move in the nation that is known to treat women like mere objects.
Down south however, things are a little different. Poet Vairamuthu, a household name in the Tamil film industry has been accused of sexual harassment.
It all began when journalist Sandhya Menon tweeted a screenshot of an anonymous allegation that the poet had hugged her and kissed her in his office. Singer Chinmayi then retweeted this, along with another screenshot of a similar allegation against Vairamuthu from her friend who chose to remain anonymous.

This led to many other women coming forward and sharing their experiences of being harassed by Vairamuthu, including one chilling account of his behavior at a ladies hostel that he owns, in the presence of his wife. Other Tamil film stalwarts who have been outed for sexual harassment are actor Ratha Ravi and Chekka Chivantha Vaanam actor Karthik T M.
It is interesting to note that while some of the accused in Bollywood have come up to apologize, there was initially pin drop silence from Vairamuthu’s camp. Even the ever vocal Tamil Film Producers Council, Vishal kept mum on the issue for a while. The actor then came forward with a statement saying that the women who have voiced out their experiences will be helped, and encouraged victims to come forward to the council as soon as it happens. Just in time, too. Right before the release of his upcoming movie’s trailer.
Related:  Literary Reflections on Tamil Life in Malaysia
Meanwhile, support has been pouring out for Chinmayi who chose to take a stand with these victims, and share her own experience. Samantha Ruth, Siddarth, Shaktisree Gopalan, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Anil Srinivasan are just a few big names who have chosen to stand in solidarity with the #metoo cause.
While many more victims are coming out with their stories, there is no dearth of imbeciles who shamelessly question the intentions of Chinmayi and the rest. It’s no surprise, the Tamil audience have perfected the trend of victim blaming.

The silver lining is that people are talking about sexual abuse in the Tamil film fraternity, and those victimized are speaking up. Whether legal action is taken or not is secondary, but for now, these victims need to be heard. And we could not be more grateful for the advent of social media. #metoo
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Filed Under chinmayisexual assaultsexual harassmentTamilvairamuthu


Andrea Jeremiah Wasn’t Intimidated Acting With Kamal Haasan

In Vishwaroopam 2, Andrea Jeremiah plays the character of Ashmita Subramaniam, who works closely with Kamal Haasan’s character. Recently, the actress mentioned that she was never intimidated by Kamal Haasan, despite his iconic status — many consider him to be the best actor in South Indian cinema of all time.
In a recent interview with Times of India, the confident Andrea Jeremiah had this to say:
I do not feel intimidated by actors or stars because I was never exposed to films widely. In Vishwaroopam 2, though I have worked with Kamal sir, I did not feel the pressure because I did not grow up watching his films. So it was never like I grew up admiring someone who I was finally sharing screen space with.

However, Andrea did praise Kamal Haasan’s talents.
As an actor and as an artiste, he is wonderful.
Many might be wondering why Andrea didn’t watch that many movies growing up? Could it be strict Asian parenting or just a general disinterest? However, the actress claims it’s because of her active childhood, who apart from her studies was also active in dance, stage performances and music.
I did not get the time to watch films a lot. But performing was always my thing, perhaps that is why I never feel intimidated.
Directed by Kamal Haasan, Vishwaroopam 2 features Kamal Haasan in the leading role, with the likes of Pooja Kumar, Andrea Jeremiah, Shekhar Kapur, Rahul Bose and Jaideep Ahlawat in supporting roles. The film will feature music by Ghibran who previously worked together with Kamal Haasan in Thoongaavanam and Papanasam.
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Filed Under Kamal Haasan


Priyanka Chopra Says That She Was Never Pro-War!

Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra has reiterated that she is not pro-war, clearing the air on an incident that happened in August, where a Pakistani woman had accused the actor of supporting the nuclear war between India and Pakistan.

Priyanka was severely criticised by Pakistani people on social media for a tweet following India’s February airstrike in Balakot area of Pakistan. She had tweeted, “Jai Hind #IndianArmedForces”.
Later, at an event in US, the former Miss World and Hollywood headliner was accused of being a “hypocrite” and “encouraging nuclear war against Pakistan” by a Pakistani woman named Ayesha Malik.
Priyanka was asked about the incident, which she said was “unfortunate” as she has always maintained her anti-war stance.
“A couple of things. I feel like this is not an opportune moment to talk about it. Second of all, it was unfortunate what happened, and third of all, I never have, never was, and never will be pro-war and that is in my statements itself.
“My work for all of these years is a testament to that, and I don’t feel I need to keep regurgitating it,” the 37-year-old actor said.

Pakistan had also tried to get Priyanka removed as UN Goodwill Ambassador with its Minister for Human Rights, Shireen M Mazari, sending a letter to UNICEF and accusing the actor of supporting “violations by the Modi government of international conventions and UNSC resolutions on Kashmir”.
The actor believes being an influential person is “an extremely important power” but it also comes with a “lot of responsibility”.
“It doesn’t have the responsibility that heads of states might have, because obviously we are not lawmakers or we cannot change those things, but we can influence, and I have always hoped to be able to use my influence in terms of philanthropy, and creativity in the arts, and to be able to, if I have opinions as a citizen, be able to speak about my opinions, and be able to give people perspective that they might not have seen because of my travels,” she added.
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Filed Under Priyanka Chopra


Johor’s Sri Subramaniar Temple Plans A Virtual 2021 Thaipusam

Thousands of devotees and onlookers would have now thronged various Murugan temples across the country for the Thaipusam celebration if the Covid-19 pandemic never existed.
In aiming to end the on-going Covid-19 wave in the country, the authorities have strictly withheld and retained all public gatherings and celebrations leading to the cancellation of a main Hindu festival, Thaipusam.
Image Credit: Sri Subramaniar Temple, Tampoi, Johor’s Official Website
However,  Sri Subramaniar Temple in Tampoi, Johor has brilliantly taken measures far ahead and in an innovative way has embarked to create a virtual Thaipusam with the use of technology to its fullest. Ain’t that thinking out of the box?
This marks a historical event for the entire nation as this marks the first ever e-Thaipusam to be held in the world!
Image Credit: Sri Subramaniar Temple, Tampoi, Johor’s Official Website
Leader of the Temple Committee, K. Arumugam said the temple would live stream the milk offering and the special prayers that is scheduled to be held by the chief priest at the temple.

The temple committee has decided to stream the special prayers via our Facebook page, Sri Subramaniar Temple Tampoi. This is the first time in our long history that we will use such a platform to mark Thaipusam.

The prayers have been organised to be held at 4 different times such as 4.30 am, 7.00 am, 11 am, and 7.00 pm.
Image Credit: Sri Subramaniar Temple, Tampoi, Johor’s Official Website
Arumugam has also expressed that the temple holds quite a historic, consequential name for itself as its one of the oldest temples in the state and foresees thousands of devotees yearly for Thaipusam to pay their respect and vows.

Those that intend to join in the celebration and regain blessings online, could leave their names and star signs on the temple’s Facebook page or Instagram account or visit its website at ssttampoi.com.my.

Image Credit: Sri Subramaniar Temple, Tampoi, Johor’s Official Website
Despite many tormenting on the negative effects of the pandemic, we must also come to the realisation of how technology has changed our lives for the better in these past year or so, as it has led us to create innovative ventures to carry on with our lives, whilst being restricted from having close physical contact with the outside world.
This surely illustrates how our world has achieved a remarkable revolution and the ingenious efforts of humans to combat any barriers that come through their way!
Truly remarkable and mind-blowing I must say!!
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Filed Under 2021 ThaipusamjohorSri Subramaniar TempleSri Subramaniar Temple in Tampoi


WATCH: Sawadikap Pei Trailer Hints The Combo of Both Horror & Comedy Bits

The Favorite Malaysian Duo is Back!
After years, the favourite of many, Gana Sebastian and Nandu Ramesh have joined hands together to give another fun-filled exciting film to their beloved fans.
Produced by Sensei Arivalagan, Sawadikap Pei was written and directed by Roman Anthony under the banner of Rivala Production. This film will be distributed by Poketplay Films.

This upcoming horror-comedy film stars Gana Sebastian and Nandu Ramesh along with Ellicia Wong, Loganathan Kanabathy, Sasi Kumar, Kuben Mahadevan, Devakanni, Priscilla Nair and Prasad as the main cast. In addition to this star-studded cast, Tokoh Satya, Ropie, Kg Kumar, Alvin Kam, Sia Sara and more actors will be seen starring in this movie.
Set back in the era of the 80s, the trailer shows a bunch of friends traveling to Thailand and finding themselves in a grappling situation. There seem to be a lot of thrilling and horrific scenes with a sprinkle of humorous magic sequences following that.

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A post shared by Poketplay Films (@poketplayfilms)

This bone-tickling horror comedy movie will be gracing the theaters from 2nd February onwards.
The trailer is out now! It’s available on Vinesh Kumar‘s Youtube channel.

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Filed Under Gana SebastianKuben MahadevanNandu RameshPoketplay FilmsPriscilla NairRivala ProductionRoman AnthonySasi KumarSawadikap PeiSensei ArivalaganTokoh SatyaVinesh Kumar


Baahubali Still Popular Among The Japanese Community

SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali: The Conclusion were a huge hit when they released in Japan back in 2017.
The movies were renamed to Baahubali: The Birth of a Legend, and the sequel, Baahubali: The Triumphant Return of the King.
One year later and the buzz still hasn’t died down. Baahubali remains a popular cultural influence on the Japanese community.
According to Scroll In, fans of the movie are still sharing fan art and manga featuring main characters of the film.
Credit: @moppon
Some of the factors that made Baahubali so memorable among the Japanese are the “grand visuals, the song sequences, the emphasis on the values of strength and honour, and the triumph of good over evil.”
Aside from that, watching Baahubali has also triggered the Japanese audience to learn more about the Indian culture.
They were intrigued by a lot of scenes in the movie, and had a lot of questions like, “Why does Shivudu lift that massive stone and sets it below the waterfall?”, “Why does Katappa place his head below Mahendra’s foot?”, “What is that white powder Mahendra rubs on his chest?”, “What is that yellow powder poured on the elephant?”, and so on.
Apart form that, the Japanese audience are also smitten by the likes of Prabhas and Rana Daggubati because of their exotic looks.
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Filed Under Baahubali


ADK Drops A New Single Blastin’ Up Speakers With Style & Hip Hop

Have you ever wondered what is it like being a social media influencer on Instagram or how would our life ever be without the existence of the Instagram app that most of us practically spend almost half our day on?
Then its a definite must to check out ADK’s new upbeat release that just dropped on his official Youtube page! This song is featured on a full on hip hop bass with a super quirky beat, with eye-catching visuals and addictive lyrics embedded in it!
GET INSTAGRAM-FIED WITH HIS SONG HERE-
https://youtu.be/kNV-yDOgIFA
ADK or Aaryan Dinesh Kanagaratnam has always been the master of releasing super fun songs that fits perfectly into the current era, captivating a mass audience of all age groups. His current song depicts clearly the life of an Instagrammer and how deceiving they appear to be at times, hiding their sorrows and pains just for a picture that could grab the attention of their followers.
Insta Life is penned and performed by ADK himself with a mass release made yesterday on his YouTube page!
The song is creatively scripted highlighting on how certain Instagrammers are too engrossed on the number of followers and fame ultimately jeopardising their own life and worth. Instagram has definitely become such a popular app among the community that certain celebrities have even made use of this trending app as a source of living.
As a public figure and celeb, he has brought to light the ills of such platforms at the same time showcasing the good that could also come out of it, so its not necessarily all that bad. And he enlightens the community well with this song! The effects of social media depends merely on its respective consumer and how they make use of the app, for better or for worse.
Hence, make use of technology wisely and put it to good use to benefit all mankind.
A Good One ADK On This Release!
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Filed Under aaryan dinesh kanagaratnamadkadk's new releaseinstagram lifeinstagram song


Mani Ratnam and Superstar Rajinikanth Teaming Up After Three Decades?

Are you guys ready to witness the ruling icon of the Kollywood Industry, Rajinikanth in Mani Ratnam’s upcoming project?
It is a measure of the power of this magical duo since they have never delivered a dud since the biggest blockbuster hit movie, Thalapathi. Having said that, recent reports have revealed that the legendary director and Rajinikanth might finally collaborate again after 31 years!
Yes, you read that right!
According to recent sources, the ace filmmaker has already penned a story for our superstar, and production is scheduled to begin in the latter half of 2023.
As we have witnessed Mani Ratnam’s concept in PS1, we can rest assured that the strong story he narrated for Rajinikanth will be one of the most epic ones after the release of his magnum opus flick. Ponniyin Selvan is a two-part historical fiction series based on writer Kalki Krishnamurthy’s 1955 novel, and the original book was a five-part series. The stellar cast includes Vikram, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha, Jayaram, Sobhita Dhulipala, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Vikram Prabhu, Ashwin Kakumanu, R. Sarathkumar, R. Parthiban, Prabhu, Prakash Raj, and Rahman.
Image Credit: Tracktollywood
In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, Mani Ratnam was asked about his upcoming projects with the superstar. And he gives us a hint by stating:

“Who knows, let’s see.” – Mani Ratnam

Eventhough there’s no official confirmation from the director himself, fans couldn’t hold their excitement and eagerly waiting for the official announcement.
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Filed Under Aishwarya Lekshmiashwin kakumanuJayam RavijayaramKarthiMani Ratnamponniyin selvanPrabhuPrakash RajR. ParthibanR. SarathkumarRajinikanthSobhita DhulipalaSuperstarThalapathiTrishaVikramVikram Prabhu


11-year old Amrick Singh Produces Facemask Holder For Turbans & Tudungs

Amrick Singh, an 11-year old boy, who is deaf and mute since birth, came up with the idea of a facemask holder and started producing them.
This initiative emerged after he noted some Sikhs are having difficulties in fixing the facemask onto their turbans.
Women who are wearing ‘tudung’ can also use this facemask holder.
Source: Asia Samachar
The adjustable holder lifts the mask straps off the back of the ears so that the mask can fit comfortably over differently shaped faces and heads.
People from the Subang Gurdwara Sahib are chipping in to help him to market his product.
Well done, Amrick!
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Filed Under Amrick Singhmalay womenPhysically ChallengedProduce facemask holderSikh Boyturbans


4 Places You Need To Visit For A Colourful HOLI-day

And no.. it’s not the Mathura & Vrindan or Jaipur.

Saplings crack through the cold barren soil in a promise of new beginnings, beautiful blooms and buzzing bees. That is the promise of spring as it renews the Earth and its flora and fauna after cold winters. In India and many other parts in the world, Holi is celebrated as a festival that welcomes spring and all the possibilities it carries with it.
Photo by Barathan Amuthan
Holi is one of the most joyful and exuberant festival with celebrated in the world. The festival looks like someone harvested the colours of a rainbow for a day of fun, music and laughter. Travel enthusiasts have planned their HOLI-days during spring every year to join in on this vibrant festival.
Here are 4 Places you need to visit for your next colourful HOLI-day:
1. Goa, India
The party capital of India has so much more to offer than white sands and beautiful beaches. Be prepared to be doused in colored water or attacked by water balloons as part of the fun of Holi celebrations in Goa.
Holi in Goa
Stay at the Amore Manolita, a great space to share with family and friends. You even get to make your own organic eco-friendly colors the day before the celebration using flowers and common ingredients available in local markets.
Amore Monalita, Goa
2. Pokhara, Nepal
Pokhara is a lakeside district that is known as a gateway to the Annapurna Circuit. The city located on Phewa Lake gets a colourful makeover on Holi, with celebrations kicking off a with a bonfire one day prior to that.
Pokhara, Nepal
To cap it off, stay at the Fishtail Lodge or The Pavilions Himalayas for incredible views and unbeatable locations. Join in on the fun with locals from this quaint city to commemorate the triumph of good over evil.
View of the Himalayas from The Pavilion Himalayas Resort
The Pavillion Himalayas
3. United States Of America (USA)

You read that right! Some of the largest festivals combining colours and music happens in the US. If you are in Los Angeles, you can head to the Festival of Colors that happens every year. The event features dance, music, yoga and you guessed it – lots and lots of color! Stay at the Bissell House Bed & Breakfast in Pasadena that’s just a short ride away from the festival venue.
The Bissell House Bed & Breakfast
4. Mauritius
Holi and the island life really do go hand-in-hand. Holi is celebrated with much enthusiasm in this island nation with over 63% of Hindu in its population. Anyone out in an open area is fair game, so consider yourself warned.
Holi In Mauritius
If island getaways are your thing, treat yourself with a stay at luxurious 5-star resort, The LUX* Belle Mare , where you can relax after your day out playing Holi.
LUX* Belle Mare
For the best deals on Holi, head over to Agoda, one of the world’s fastest growing online travel agents (OTA), for the best destinations.

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Filed Under Agodaholitravel


Bigg Boss 2: Why Did Oviya Get Eliminated The Moment She Got In?

Looks like Bigg Boss season 2 is off to an awkward start.
Bigg Boss 2 is one of the most anticipated reality TV show to hit the screens this year. This second season will see 16 contestants locked in a house with each other, while undertaking tasks and challenges for a 100 days.
First season’s favourite contestant Oviya made a return to the show and it garnered a lot of positive reactions from fans of the show. However, her presence on the show was short-lived.

When Oviya returned to the show, Oviya received a special set of instructions from Kamal Haasan. Oviya cannot tell anyone that she is only there as a guest. Instead, she had to convince everyone that she was there as a contestant.
However, her suitcase blew her cover. Oviya only had one suitcase with her, and after probing, the other contestants found that it only contained water bottles. It then became clear that she was never meant to stay on the show.

Aside from that, the contestants were also tasked to elect their first captain on the show. After voting in the confession room, Janani Iyer becomes the first captain of Bigg Boss 2 – which means she will not face elimination in the first week.
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Filed Under Bigg Boss 2Kamal HaasanOviya


Single Mother Kogila Vani Struggles To Save Her Sick Child

No one in the world can care for you better than your “Mother”.
Here is a mother who is completely reliant on herself, not even caring for herself, but who is doing everything she can to save her only child.
Single mother, S. Kogila Vani lives at a rented apartment in Pandan Indah, with her five-year-old daughter Yaashika, who is unable to walk or talk, and has both visual and hearing impairments.
Image credit: Free Malaysia Today

Although the nearest hospital is barely ten minutes away, Kogila must descend eight flights of stairs while carrying her before taking an e-hailing ride.

Yaashika had a neurosurgery at the age of two because her skull had not matured sufficiently to fit her developing brain. Since then, the girl has been in and out of the hospital due to her medical condition.
Unlike most children, who love having friends and going out to play, Yaashika had to spend most of her days in her bedroom, under her mother’s watchful eye, with only stuffed toys and colourful wall stickers for companionship.
According to FMT, 41-year-old Kogila got divorced last year and started a home food business, but she had to shut it down after Yaashika became susceptible to illness from cooking fumes which resulted in her nearly dying.
Image credit: Free Malaysia Today
“As a tracheostomy patient, my daughter is quite vulnerable. Smoke, e-cigarette emissions, and cooking odours are all too much for her body to handle. She gets infected all the time and has to be admitted in hospital”.
The heart breaking moment was when the doctor advised Yaashika’s mother that there may come a time when she has to choose between allowing her daughter to suffer longer or allowing her to pass away peacefully. But the mother is determined on keeping her only child alive making the most of their time together.
Kogila then decided to start a digital business selling traditional apparel, but she could only make about RM100 to RM150 per month, less than half of what she was making from her food business, as mentioned by FMT.

Yashika must be fed every four hours, and the poor mother must ensure that her child is breathing properly at all times, as any blockage in her airways could be fatal.

https://youtu.be/DHYeHvFEfakVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: A single mother’s love keeps her disabled child alive (https://youtu.be/DHYeHvFEfak)

For your information, Kogila receives monthly remittances from her ex-husband and RM500 from the welfare department, but these funds are insufficient to support Yaashika’s expenses to get personal and medical equipment for her condition which includes:

diapers
milk formula
a wheelchair
catheters
tracheostomy filters
suction machine
gastric buttons

We may not be able to do much, but even a small contribution can help them meet their needs. Let us step up and offer the mother and daughter the help they deserve in order to save Yaashika’s life.
Please send a WhatsApp message to FMT’s Helpline at 019 3899 839, if you would like to help S. Kogila Vani and her daughter.
Source: [1]
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Filed Under disabled childFMTS. Kogila VaniSingle motherYaashika


Meet Cikgu Vin With A Baptism of Fire To Shine Light In Country’s Education System

“Rather than being one in a hundred, strive to be one in a thousand,” said Ravein Raj, also known as Cikgu Vin. He is a highly motivated individual with a strong desire to advance teaching. Despite the fact that he is not a native speaker, he is fluent in Bahasa Malaysia and has recently become the content creator for Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka’s official TikTok account.
We had the pleasure of interviewing this outstanding personality, who was at the forefront of his achievements as well as his thought-provoking ways to teach Bahasa Malaysia in a variety of creative ways.
Varnam: Being a teacher is a tough job, and it is considered unusual when a non-native speaker teaches Malay. How did you learn to speak a language so fluently which led you to become a teacher?
Cikgu Vin: At first, I was so afraid to speak Malay because it is not our native language. I did not even attend kindergarten at the age of 5 because I was afraid that the Malay students would mock me if I couldn’t speak in Malay.  Then, I attended Sekolah Kebangsaan for my primary schooling and I had no choice but to speak in Malay. So, I would always practice the Malay language by talking to myself in front of the mirror, using the slang of the native speakers.
I make friends with Malay students to learn the language and get into their real slang and culture. Days passed, I finished my primary and secondary school with the average result but surprisingly, I got a very good result for my BM and English subjects in UPSR, PMR and SPM exams. Besides my efforts to speak Malay fluently, I wanted people to say my grasp of the Malay language is excellent and more fluent than the real native speaker. Maybe that mindset has somehow brought me here now.
Varnam: How did your teaching career begin despite your lack of interest at first?
Cikgu Vin: My first choice was to become an AirForce officer and not to become a teacher. After my SPM, my parents were not interested in me choosing that choice; they told me to go into the education/teaching field. I then changed my mind and opted to further my studies in counseling and guidance but due to poor results in Science and Maths, I managed to pursue a Bachelors in Education.
At the time I had started to embark on my higher education, both my parents fell sick. My mom had kidney failure and she had to do dialysis weekly thrice with an average cost of about RM 3000.00 monthly. My father became weak due to epilepsy(fits) and had to use a wheelchair to move. I was so helpless at this point in my life, I had to figure out a way to cover their expenses and my own studies, apart from my mom’s help. I needed RM1,500 for my monthly expenditure at the same time, I also had to help out my family.
I started looking for a job and finally managed to get a job as a tuition tutor. At that moment I only had my bike which helped in my KL commute. I still remember, it was raining heavily and I got fully wet during my first day of work as a tutor. When I entered the tuition center, the administrator and students were so shocked to see me coming in like that. I straight away entered the washroom and squeezed all the water out of my clothes and wore them back. Then, I entered the classroom and started to teach the students the best I could while shivering due to the cold.
After the class was over, all the students stood and clapped for my dedication to teaching.  At that significant point, I had realised my calling to be a teacher. I have been teaching since with true dedication and passion.
Varnam: Do you believe that even a motivational speaker requires encouragement from time to time? If so, how do you keep yourself motivated? Do you draw inspiration from other motivational speakers?
Cikgu Vin: Yes, every single person needs motivation for themselves and it doesn’t matter who they are. It’s always easy to say but when we encounter a painful time, no matter who they are, they would actually need motivation. For me, my biggest motivator is my mother. She was an iron lady. She worked day and night for me as a dishwasher in a restaurant even though she was doing her dialysis thrice a week to let me study in university. She taught me a lot of things in life and set a great example of living.
So, whenever I think I’m out of my track, I will call her and talk to her but she is no more in the world, just passed away on 21 July 2021. I’m still looking at her picture to get myself motivated and get back to my track of success.
Varnam: Are there any obstacles you faced as a child that taught you to be the strong personality you represent in your social media and speeches?
Cikgu Vin: Definitely, it is a YES. All the content that I share is connected to myself. Whatever I felt or faced, I will share that with others so they can avoid the mistakes or be bold to face such a life process. My family and I struggled a lot with poverty and sometimes were in hunger too. My father was an alcoholic at the time and many said “An alcoholic’s son will become an alcoholic too”.  To break those sayings, my mother struggled a lot to raise me and yes she made it. The lesson that I learned from my mother and the obstacles I faced, now I’m sharing it with others.
Varnam: You stated that your knowledge of music has also aided you in your teaching career. What other ways has music influenced your life?
Cikgu Vin: Music influenced me in many aspects of life. The only company I have when I’m lonely is music. In my, every joyful and sad time music will comfort me. It taught me to be disciplined, to be patient, and be down to earth.   Music will help you to have self-control but most importantly, it will mold you to the better version of yourself, hence for my existence in the present moment.
Varnam: Do you know of any aspiring teachers belonging to this generation who share your goals, and how do you regard them?
Cikgu Vin: Yes. I would say Mr. Samuel Isaiah who was the finalist for the Global Teacher Prize. He has been rewarded with the Best Teacher Award at the ASEAN-ELT Conference (2018), Best Innovative Teacher (2018, presented by the Prime Minister of Malaysia), the Star Golden Hearts Award (2019), and the National Hero Teacher Award (2019).
Samuel Isaiah did not look at the Orang Asli children as lesser beings but as children with potential and excellence even though there are many obstacles to teach them.  Despite the negative perceptions surrounding the teaching of underprivileged children, Samuel Isaiah broke perceptions and traditions and focused solely on improving and uplifting the standard of education of the children so that they can have a level playing field in the future. For this, I would regard him as Malaysia’s HERO.
Varnam: You stated that you were the first Indian TikTok content creator for the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka TikTok page, but you do not consider this achievement to be a victory. Why is that so?
Cikgu Vin: I’m so blessed and fortunate to become the first Indian TikTok content creator for the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka TikTok page. This does not solely belong to me but I would say this achievement belongs to the whole Indian community.  In the midst of racial discrimination, this is an achievement that could bring unity among all races and break the stereotypes I said earlier. It is not a victory because we should win in the majority then it’s a victory, So, now I’m creating my students as future winners to represent the Indian community to victory. This is going to happen for sure.
Varnam: How do you see yourself in the next five years, and how do you intend to contribute more to society with your expertise?
Cikgu Vin: In the next 5 years, I would have created many winners and successful students who are going to shine like stars representing our society. I’m going to be the same teacher but maybe I might change my look but remain steadfast to my vision. My biggest dream is to establish Tamil secondary schools in each state. Let us pray and find a way to do it. The Malay proverb said “Harimau mati meninggalkan belang , manusia mati meninggalkan nama”. Before I leave the world, let me do something that no one had attempted or achieved in the history of education in Malaysia.
His journey was never a regular one, with so many insecurities to speak of in Malay and so many family-related hurdles to behold his ambition. His life journey from ordinary to extraordinary is something we should all aspire and be inspired. Let us hope he achieves more in life and we wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours.
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Filed Under Bahasa MalaysiaBahasa MelayuCikgu VinDewan Bahasa dan PustakaRavein Raj


Student Fee Assistance Program For B40 Indian Community

The Selangor state government has come up with an initiative by offering financial assistance to Indian students belonging to the B40 (lower income) group that are currently facing financial difficulties in paying for their university and college fees.
The program is part of the Selangor state government’s modus and to ensure that aid is given to the families who are most in need. Hence, they’re calling on students to submit the forms attached together in the post below:

The Selangor government’s initiative can reduce or even waive the fees provided they abide by the requirements that have been mentioned in the form. All one needs to do is to submit the form to the Pejabat YB EXCO Kerajaan Negeri Selangor located in Shah Alam!
Time and tide waits for no man, thus, if you feel the need for the financial assistance, hurry up and fill up the forms.
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Filed Under B40Indian studentsIPTS


Meet Rubentheran Sivagurunathan, The National Record Holder Of The “First Indian Horseback Archer”

Darts is a popular social game among many of us as it remains quite a challenge to hit the inner bullseye same goes for archery. In the game of archery, we have bows and arrows. Even watching players aiming at the board makes us sweat right? Imagine how nerve-wrecking it would be when a person plays archery while riding a horse, now that’s a huge deal.
Have you heard of a game called horseback archery? If you haven’t, you should dig deeper! The game is popular in many foreign countries but in Malaysia, it still has a long way to go before the average Malaysian knows what is horseback archery.
Recently, Rubentheran Sivagurunathan has been in the spotlight after earning the national record of becoming the “First Indian Horseback Archer” under the Malaysia Book Of Records. The prestigious certificate was handed to him on 16th November.

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A post shared by Rubentheran (@rubenwarrior_)

Hailing from Malacca, Rubentheran’s journey into horseback archery started in 2018 when he went for a job interview in Negeri Sembilan but unfortunately did not manage to secure the job. Disappointed with the result, he decided to take a break at Ladang Alam Warisan in Kuala Pilah. There he met a gentleman who changed his life forever. Talking about encountering the right person at the right time and destiny encounters, well Rubentheran is one such proof that life changing encounters still do happen.
He met the owner of Ladang Alam Warisan stable, Muhamad Akmal Mohamad Dahalan, who introduced him to this form of horseback riding. Both men instantly connected as Rubentheran loves horses and had also done horse riding back in Malacca.

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A post shared by Rubentheran (@rubenwarrior_)

Muhamad Akmal shared some information regarding horseback archery with Rubentheran and offered him free training. He told Bernama Seithigal that he was surprised upon learning that a Malay man was ready to offer him training despite him being an Indian. True Malaysian spirit indeed! After 3 years of training at Ladang Merah where he learned various techniques, he secured a spot in the Malaysia Book of Records.
The 29-year-old man said he was saddened to know these skills were forgotten by many of us as these archery skills were taught in our Mahabharatham and Ramayanam. Horseback archery was one of the most crucial surviving skills long ago.
The talented Rubentheran said he would like to create more records in the coming future. He recently joined Liga Memanah Kuda Malaysia and he’s hoping to compete Internationally next year.

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A post shared by Rubentheran (@rubenwarrior_)

He hopes to see more Indians get involved in the sport. So far, the young lad is training 6 young hopefuls in Malacca. Talking about inspirational stories, I guess his story is beyond a doubt, pure and wholly, from being rejected after a job interview to becoming a National Record Holder.
Kudos to Rubentheran Sivagurunathan and we wish you the best for your upcoming competitions.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  SJK (T) Masai Marks Their Entry In The Malaysia Book of Records
Filed Under First Indian Horseback ArcherMalaysia book of recordsMuhamad Akmal Mohamad DahalanRubentheran Sivagurunathan


Vijay Sethupathi’s Sindhubaadh Teaser – A Super Deluxe Copycat?

Vijay Sethupathi fans have one more film of his to look forward to this year, the action thriller Sindhubaadh.
Sindhubaadh stars Anjali, Linga and Vivek Prasanna. Vijay Sethupathi’s son, Surya, will also be making his debut in this film.

The film is directed by SU Arunkumar, the brilliant mind that brought us Sethupathi and Pannaiyarum Padminiyum. What we cannot wrap our head around is why the director decided that the narration of the teaser should resemble that of Super Deluxe?
It’s the same story. A man who is facing a problem, what does he choose to do, fight it or run away? Of course, the dialogue, intonation and delivery is nowhere near as epic as Super Deluxe. Also, it felt like there were too many car chases and gunshots, which led us to lose interest soon after the minute long clip began. Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music kept the momentum going, though.
While reports suggest that the film was shot in Malaysia, nothing familiar met our eyes. What do you think?
Sindhubaadh is set to release in May 2019.

https://youtu.be/AjM_bTcZ4NgVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Sindhubaadh Teaser | Vijay Sethupathi, Anjali | Yuvan Shankar Raja | S U Arun Kumar | Official (https://youtu.be/AjM_bTcZ4Ng)

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Filed Under AnjalicopyPannaiyarum PadminiyumSethupathiSindhubaadhSU ArunkumarSuper DeluxeSurya Vijay SethupathiVijay Sethupathi