Enticing Must Try Banana Leaf Meals In Klang Valley

A typical Banana Leaf meal is always a comfy bed of food that no Malaysian says no to. The wide spread of mouthwatering delicious delicacies spread out on the fresh lime-green banana leaf gives you eyegasm by just the first look at it. Here are the must-try Banana Leaf meals that will keep you craving for more!
Krishna Curry House

Krishna Curry House in Sungai Way is a hidden gem for those that savour claypot curries. They serve their best mutton and chicken curries in claypots. The soft succulent meat that just whither of their bones is slow cooked with home made recipes.

Their best seller is the mutton bone marrow curry. The buttery marrow just drops of from the bone and melts in your mouth with chettinad flavours. The spice and peppery flavours in the curry just hits you back giving you food coma. This restaurant serves one of the best bone marrow curry ever! The flavours and the smell of their curry is so strong, it lingers on your fingers for the entire day.
Kanna’s Curry House, Seksyen 17

This restaurant has been serving their finest banana leaf meals for over 3 decades. At Kanna’s customers are given the privilege to choose their preferred ambiance to dine in, if they want to have it outdoor under the cherry trees or inside in an air conditioned room. The must haves at Kanna’s are their fried squid and crab curry.

The squids are marinated in spices making them extremely tender. They are later deep fried upon every order with thinly sliced onions and curry leaves giving you a hit of curry flavour from the leaves, and masala paste the squids were marinated in. The fried squid dish comes alongside the banana leaf spread, a portion worth the money. Their crab curry is prepared with a blend of spices from their in-house chefs. As you bite into each crab shell, the juice from the crab oozes out dripping from your mouth as the spicy flavours of the curry hits your taste buds creating an explosion of flavours with the fresh sweet crab flesh. This is a mouth watering dish you would definitely enjoy!
Reminder, this place offers banana leaf meals at any time of the day.
Sri Pandis, PJ

A wide spread of food on your banana leaf is the mandatory one you get everywhere, but do you know what makes Sri Pandis’s food stand out from the rest?! Their spicy mint chutney they serve you with the rice. It’s their golden ticket that elevates the whole dish to another level, outstanding from the other banana leaf restaurants. As soon as you enter the restaurant, you are hit with a strong aroma of fried chicken and fish rising from the hot oil deep frying pan. Within seconds of siting at your spot, the workers rush to your table placing the leaf, rice and side dishes. Then comes the whole tray filled with the dishes available in the restaurant. The dishes varies everyday from fried items to your chettinand masala, curries and perattals of all sorts. Yummy!

You don’t get a menu card here to choose from, everything comes to you in a tray displaying all the dishes available at their restaurant and you pick what you want exactly from where you are seated.
Ganapathy Mess

An eatery that gives you the comforts of home. The restaurant itself is located in a house among the housing area of Oldtown, PJ. It gives you an experience of coming to a feast in an Indian house.  You are greeted with steaming air gushing through your nostrils filled with the aromas of curries and to the sound of people buzzing away savouring the food. You will be seated at one of their rooms or the hallway and you get to experience authentic home cooked Indian food like Surra Puthu (Shark Fisk Puthu), fried chicken liver, fish cutlets. The show stoppers at Ganapathy Mess is their crab rasam and fried mutton. You will be able to experience plenty of solace, when your craving strikes for home cooked Indian food.

Crab rasam is an indian herbal soup with concentrated flavours of indian spices. Their spice and peppery is a must have to add a kick after a hearty meal. Rasam has many health benefits and is certainly good for your digestive system, working wonders after a heavy banana leaf meal. Rasam is an age old traditional recipe that has been a part of every Indian home and is also a form of comfort food. Alternatively, rasam also helps to cure the common cold, due to its healing ingredients infused with Indian spices such as cumin and kokum (a fruit-bearing tree with pharmaceutical benefits).
After each meal, you are given a sweet dessert, payasam in little tumblers to mellow down the spices of the curry. Often, the payasam is eaten by pouring it onto the banana leaf and by crushing some papadams on it. Now, devour it with the salty, tangy, sweet savoury flavour!
Acha’s Curry House

Acha’s curry house serves the best curries in all banana leaf eateries in Kl and PJ. Their salted fish curry is a die for and can get you addicted. The star dish is their anchovy varuval. Crispy anchovies cooked with sweet caramalised onions over slight chilli powder is a must try. This restaurant is the only place that serves the best anchovy varuval.

This place only offers banana leaf meals till late evening and are closed at night. Come here for an early lunch to skip the lunch time queue waiting to dine.
Here are some amazing places we have listed down for you to satisfy your banana leaf cravings. Indulge and enjoy!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under acha curry housebest banana leaf meal at klang valleyganapathy messkanna curry housekrishna curry housemust try banana leaf mealssri pandis


Vijay Deverakonda’s Next Film Is Titled Fighter!

Vijay Deverakonda’s next film will reportedly be called Fighter. It is directed by Puri Jagannadh and shows Vijay as a martial artist who stutters.
Vijay Deverakonda’s next project with Puri Jagannadh has got its title. Tipped to be centered on a martial artist with a stutter, the film has been titled Fighter, according to sources close to the filmmaker.

It has been learnt that Jagannadh has already registered the title Fighter.
The script was originally pitched to Jr. NTR a few years ago. For reasons unknown, the project never took off and both of them got busy with other commitments.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under jagannadhvijay devarakonda


AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes Deletes Facebook Account

It was the sight of gore and brutality of New Zealend’s Christchurch shooting that made AirAsia CEO, Tony Fernandes, finally click the delete button. The terrorist attack at a mosque during Friday prayers has claimed 50 lives and the entire saga was streamed live on Facebook for 17 minutes.
Tony Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia
In a tweet to his 670,000 followers, Tony cited that Facebook needs to do a better job to “clean up” the videos following the Christchurch attack. “The amount of hate that goes on in social media sometimes outweighs the good,” he said in a tweet Sunday.
https://twitter.com/tonyfernandes/status/1107123988864491520

The AirAsia CEO who is very candid on social media said that the New Zealand shooting and all the other hate was too much for him to handle. Facebook said that it has removed over 1.5 million videos of the attack on its social platform that houses over 22 billion active users.

Earlier last week, WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton urged people to delete their Facebook accounts at his talk at Stanford University. Many have spoke strongly against the social media platform especially after Facebook’s security breach of 50 million users and the company’s data harvesting practices.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.


WATCH: Theyvekgan Takes to YouTube with his Travelogue, Vangepolam

Theyvekgan is a name that needs no introduction. The radio jockey has jumped on the YouTube bandwagon with a travelogue, titled Vangepolam. Theyv, as he is fondly known, takes his viewers through the lanes of Kuala Lumpur in the first episode. He is joined by photographer Venoshia Vellasamy.
We’re already looking forward to the next episode from Theyv, what better way to revive tourism in Malaysia than exploring it ourselves.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Episode 1- Merchants Lane Kuala LumpurTheyvekgan Minnal FMTravelogueVangepolam


Easy Murukku Recipes; Get Your Deepavali Tantalising With Flavours

Murukku has been the one Indian goody that has been a tradition embraced by our ancestors to our current generation as a must have snack in every festive season! The most delish crunchy tit-bit comes with a variety of flavours and taste to tantalise our tastebuds with an explosion of Deepavali zest.
Here are a few exquisite murukku recipes for you to try at home, and give your loved ones a flavoursome festival-
THENGAI PAAL MURUKKU

INGREDIENTS-

Murukku Flour- 1 packet
Coconut Milk – 1/2 cup
Cumin Seeds – 1 tsp
Sesame Seeds- 1 tsp
Oil – 1 tbsp and to deep fry
Salt and Water– As needed

THENGAI PAAL MURUKKU RECIPE METHOD-

Take 3/4 cup of grated coconut and grind it with 1/2 cup of warm water. Squeeze and filter it through a metal strainer and collect the coconut milk.
Use this coconut milk to knead dough for the murukku.
Toast the sesame seeds and cumin seeds on a slow flame in a pan first, prior to adding it with the murukku flour.
In a mixing bowl, sieve and add the murukku flour, cumin seeds, sesame seeds, 1 tbsp. oil, salt and mix well.
Add coconut milk little by little and mix. If needed, add more water and make a smooth dough.
Heat oil in kadai. Fix the murukku press with a star shaped holed plate and fill the press with dough.
Over a few greased ladles, squeeze the murukku.
Once the oil is hot, add the murukku carefully to the oil by inverting the ladle with the murukku in the hot oil.
Cook over medium flame. Flip and cook until the oil bubble reduces completely.
Drain over paper towel. Make sure the heat is not too high or low when frying the murukku.

KAAREH MURUKKU

INGREDIENTS-
Dry Ingredients:

Murukku Flour- 1 packet
Red Chilli Powder – 2tsp
Pepper powder – ½ tsp
Asafetida – 2 pinches
Cumin seeds- 1 tsp
Sesame seeds – 1 tsp
Melted Butter – 2 tbsp
Hot oil – 2 tbsp
Salt and Water – As needed
Oil – For deep frying

Wet Ingredients To grind:

Curry Leaves – According to preference
Garlic paste- 1 tsp
Ginger paste- 1 tsp

KAAREH MURUKKU RECIPE METHOD-

Sieve the murukku flour into a big bowl.
Toast the sesame seeds and cumin seeds on a slow flame in a pan first, prior to adding it with the murukku flour.
Heat oil for deep-frying in a pan.
In a wide bowl, add all the dry and wet ingredients, then mix it well by adding water little by little to form a soft stiff dough incorporating all the ingredients.
Fix the murukku press with a star shaped holed plate and add a portion of dough in the murukku press. Press it and do your murukku in a circular motion according to your desired preference.
Grease the shaped holed plate first with oil before adding in the flour. This will help to make nice perfectly shaped murukku.
When the oil is hot, in medium high heat, drop the shaped murukku. Fry the murukkus in a small quantity in the pan when frying to not lower down the temperature of the oil.
Wait until it turns into a crispy golden brown color on both sides and also when oil bubble reduces.
Drain till it cools down completely and store in an airtight container to be consumed till it lasts!

OATS MURUKKU

INGREADIENTS-

Murukku Flour- 1 packet
Oats– 1/4 cup
Chilli Powder– 1 tsp
Sesame Seeds– 1 tsp
Cumin Seeds– 1/2 tsp
Asafoetida– A pinch
Salt and Water – As needed
Oil- For deep frying

OATS MURUKKU RECIPE METHOD-

Place oats in a dry pan and roast it. Blend it till you get a fine texture.
Sieve the oats flour and murruku flour into the pan and knead it well.
Now heat 2 tsp of oil and pour it over the dough and mix well.
Now put the dough into your favourite press and make small murukku.
Heat oil and drop the perfectly shaped murukku in and fry till the oil bubble subsides.
Drain it till it cools down completely and store it in an air tight container. Bon Appetit!!

RAAGI MURUKKU

INGREADIENTS-

Raagi Flour – 1 cup
Murukku Flour – 1 packet
Melted ghee or soft butter – 2 tbsp
Red Chili Powder – 1 tsp
Cumin Seeds – 1 tsp
Sesame Seeds – 1 tsp
Asafetida – 1/4 tsp
Salt and Water – As needed
Cooking Oil – To deep fry

RAAGI MURUKKU RECIPE METHOD-

Sieve the flours together.
Add chilli powder, cumin seeds, salt, asafoetida and ghee. Mix well.
Add water gradually and knead till you get a smooth dough.
Cover with a wet cloth till use.
Take a star mold in the murukku press. Fill the dough. Make a shape in ladle.
Deep fry the murukku in batches. Cook both sides till bubbles cease. Store after cool down. This murukku is especially for the ones looking for a healthier snack or under the keto diet!

EGGLESS ACHI MURUKKU

INGREDIENTS

All Purpose Flour- 1 cup
Rice Flour- 1/4 cup
Powdered Sugar- 1/4 cup
Coconut Milk- 1 cup
Salt and Water- As needed
Oil- For deep frying

EGGLESS ACHI MURUKKU RECIPE METHOD-

First we need to test the mold, but this is mainly for iron / aluminum. If its nonstick then you can use it instantly.
Soak it in rice water, then leave it to soak in hot oil overnight before using it to get the perfect achi murukkus.
Extract coconut milk from freshly grated coconut.
Add all purpose flour, rice flour and powdered sugar.
Mix the flour with the coconut milk till you a get a thick batter and add salt to taste.
Now heat the oil till its hot, dip the mold in it till its heated at least for 15 seconds. Then immediately dip the mold in the batter so that 3/4th of mold is immersed in the batter. Make sure the batter sticks around the mold, covering 3/4 part of it.
Now carefully dip the mold in preheated oil. Leave for few seconds. Make sure to dip the mold in preheated oil each time before dipping it into the batter.
Then slightly shake the mold for the murukku to drop of from the mold. If it doesn’t come out, use a fork to pull it out. Fry it till it turns into a slightly gold yellowish colour.
Flip the murukku using a steel rod to make sure the murukku fries evenly.
Once cooked, remove it and drain till it cools down completely.
Remember to store the murukku in an air tight container for it to remain crunchy and tasty.

Indulge and enjoy this scrumptious recipes for a delectable and taste-full Deepavali! Happy experimenting folks!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under achi murukkubest murukku recipesDeepavalideepavali recipeseasy and quick murukku recipeskaareh murukumurukku recipeoats murukkuraagi murukkuthengai paal murukku


Enga Veetu Mapillai: Arya Finally Meets Susanna’s Son, Naidan

Arya has already decided who his Top 3 ladies are on Enga Veetu Mapillai, and we are this close to the finale!
But before that, Arya decided that it was about time he completed a long overdue task – to meet Susanna’s son, Naidan.
Arya arranged for Naidan to be flown in from Toronto so all three of them can finally hang out and he can get to know Susanna’s son better. Susanna got very emotional when she saw Naidan – she hadn’t seen him in almost two months.

Arya took Naidan and Susanna to the zoo, and then to a theme park where they rode on the carousel and played bumper cars. Naidan seemed really shy and reserved around Arya as it was their first time meeting each other. However, Naidan seemed to warm up to Arya a bit towards the end.
Here are some pictures of Arya hanging out with Naidan and Susanna:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  New OTT Films To Binge Watch Over the Weekend
Filed Under AryaEnga Veetu MapillaiSusanna


Malaysia’s Kumaresh Kamalakannan Gets Second Kollywood Song In Thamizh Padam 2.0

Throughout the years, we’ve seen many Malaysian talents going off to Kollywood to test their limits. Some even become legends, like our Malaysia Vasudevan and Ravichandran.
Now we have a new sensation who is making progress there. It’s none other than our very own Kumaresh Kamalakannan.
Kumaresh made his 1st big screen debut in Malaysian Tamil movie Mayangaathey – directed, co-produced and co-starred by C. Kumaresan. The romantic-comedy-horror film hit the screens on 9th June 2016. Kumaresh sang the song “Yean Oru Murai” alongside Neroshen Thanaseharan and Datin Shree Shaila V.

Kumaresh then worked in the Geethayin Raadhai, which is directed, written and co-starred by Shalini Balasundram. The romantic comedy hit the screens in September 2016. Kumaresh sang the songs ”Ennai Kollathey” with Keshvini Sarahanan, and “Un Kural” with Swarna Deepan Chakravarthy. “Ennai Kollathey” crossed more than 1.5 million hits after its release.
He made his Kollywood debut with famous musician D.Imman, and now his next Kollywood song is in Tamizh Padam 2.0, the most awaited comedy this year.
Such a proud moment for every Malaysians we’d say. Wishing him all the best for his future undertakings and we’re definitely waiting for his next.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Kumaresh KamalakannanTamizh Padam 2.0


Vijay Sethupathi’s Super Deluxe: Has A Local Distributor Finally Stepped In?

Vijay Sethupathi fans in Malaysia were not only disappointed upon hearing that ‘Super Deluxe’ may be banned from Malaysia, they were already making travel plans to Singapore to watch the movie!
So, what happened?
A Facebook page called ‘Malaysia Vijay Sethupathi Fan Club – MVSFC’ broke the news that Super Deluxe, starring Vijay Sethupathi, Samantha Ruth, Ramya Krishnan, Fahadh Faasil and others, may be banned in Malaysia. This was reported to be due to the sensitive and mature content in the film.

News spread like wildfire in the virtual world and landed right in the hands of the producers of Super Deluxe. The Super Deluxe team released a statement in a few hours that read,”Dear well wishers from Malaysia! We have been able to release Super Deluxe worldwide with the support of our distributors. In Malaysia, unfortunately, we did not release any support from the local distributors. We still hope to bring the film to Malaysia soon. Will keep you posted!”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TDKF (@tylerdurdenandkinofist)

There might light at the end of this tunnel, as popular local distributors, DMY Creations, jumped to the opportunity of distributing the film in Malaysia in the comment section of the post.

The film has been receiving rave reviews in India following its release and has gained a rating of 9.3/10 on IMDb.
More updates to follow on Super Deluxe.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  Moviethon: New Films That You Can Catch This Weekend In Theatres
Filed Under Fahadh FaasilRamya KrishnanSamantha RuthSuper DeluxeVijay Sethupathi


Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Is My Mother, Claims 29-Year-Old Man

What a bizarre world we live in!
29-year-old man Sangeeth Kumar who hails from Andhra Pradesh in India has claimed that former beauty queen and Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai is his birth mother.
According to his claim, Aishwarya Rai gave birth to him back in London in 1988 – through th IVF method. Mathematically, Aishwarya was only 14 years old in 1988. He said that he briefly lived with Aishwarya’s parents, before being separated from his mother at the age of two.
“I was born to her by IVF in London in 1988. I was brought up in Chodavaram from age three to 27. I was with my grandmother Brinda Krishnaraj Rai’s family at the age of one and two in Mumbai. My grandfather Krishnaraj Rai died in April 2017, and my uncle’s name is Aditya Rai.” he was quoted as saying.
Source: Funniest Indian
“I want my mother to come and live with me in Mangaluru. It’s already 27 years since I separated from my family, I miss her a lot. I don’t want to go to Visakhapatnam, at least I want my mother’s number so that I’ll be free.” he added.
Sangeeth Kumar also claims that Aishwarya Rai has actually divorced from her husband, Abishek Bachchan, and is currently living alone. However, he has no solid proof and documents to back his claims.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  Happy World Music Day: 10 Tamil Songs That You Should Listen On WMD!
Filed Under Aishwarya Rai


RAA; A Film That Highlights And Delves Deeper Into Child Sexual Abuse

Reality does not always come sugar-coated. There are many undeniable facts that we sweep under the rug, and one of them is child sexual abuse.
Children face a variety of maltreatments and the most severe is sexual assault. This leads them to embarrassment and a lifetime of dread, limiting their possibilities for development. According to statistics, the majority of child abuse incidents occur inside the circle of family and friends.

“It’s essential that we don’t run away from reality in all of its harshness.”

A horrifying but potentially realistic short film aptly titled RAA by Pozhilan will give you the chills. The crime thriller short film portrays an innocent little girl who is abused by a male neighbour. This horrifying incident resulted in her not being able to talk again. Her helpless mother couldn’t bear what had happened to her daughter and was ready to avenge the abuser.

https://youtu.be/DTu_wQxvODAVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: RAA – Crime Thriller Short Film | Venkat Prabhu |Saravana Sundaram | Pozhilan | Black Ticket Company (https://youtu.be/DTu_wQxvODA)

The short film features talented casts namely Meesha Ghoshal, Vignesh Vijayan, Akilan SPR, and Swethambari. On the music front, Robert has created a soundtrack that will give you goosebumps especially during the suspense filled scenes. RAA, conveyed meaningful social messages scattered throughout the 27-minute short film.
In the contemporary world, it’s essential that parents emphasise the differences between what is considered a good touch and a bad touch whilst addressing suitable and improper behaviour with their children. It’s also important to talk to kids about their sexual development, sexual identity, and other related topics, even if these are controversial topics to approach.

If you keep the conversation flowing, your children will know what to do and how to handle even if a known person touches them: he or she will immediately report it to someone.

Kudos to the cast who nailed each of their characters well and a round of applause to the crew for the amazing production.
Related:  Malaysian Indian actress Sangeeta Krishnasamy attends the Cannes International Film Festival in France.Written & Directed – Pozhilan
Producer – Venkat Prabhu , Saravana Sundaram , Reshma
Banner – Black Ticket Company and WM Productions
Line Producer – Anunitya
Executive Producer – S2S PRODUCTIONS INDIA
Cinematography – Robin Ezhil
Editor – Selva RK
Music – Robert Sargunam
Art – Bakiyaraj V
Sound mix – Suren G
Associate Editor – Mathi VS
VFX – Livi , Rishikhant , Prashant
Color Grading – Naveen PA
Special Effects MUA – Anusuya Raj Bharath
Subtitles – Sajid Ali
Designs – Anand Jeeva
Our best wishes to the entire team for their upcoming films!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Akilan SPRAnand JeevaBlack Ticket Company and WM Productionschild sexual abuseMeesha GhoshalPozhilanRAAreshmaSaravana SundaramSuren GSwethambariVenkat PrabhuVignesh Vijayan


Rajinikanth & Karthik Subbaraj Have Started Shooting For New Film

After the explosive opening of his highly-awaited movie, Kaala, the Superstar is ready to begin shooting his next.
According to Sun Picture’s official Twitter account, Karthik Subbaraj is already planning start shooting the new film. IndiaGlitz also reports that the first leg of the shooting will involve the production team travelling to Darjeeling for a college setting.
Not much is known about the story of this Rajinikanth-Karthik Subbaraj collaboration, but we’re all excited to see result that it will yield. So far, we know that Vijay Sethupathi will be playing a prominent role in the movie, and that Anirudh is on board as music director.

No heroine has been confirmed yet – although veteran actress Simran is rumoured to be casted in the film .
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  Audio Launch Update For Superstar Rajinikanth's Jailer
Filed Under KaalaKarthik SubbarajRajinikanth


The Bachchans Test Positive For Covid-19

Bollywood bigwigs, Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, his wife Aishwarya Rai and daughter Aaradhya Bachchan have confirmed to being tested positive for Covid-19. Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan were reported to be infected with the virus by hospital authorities on 11th July 2020, Saturday.
Covid-19 is an infectious disease known to cause respiratory problems to the infected person. The first case was diagnosed in Wuhan, China in 2019, when a sudden unidentifiable pneumonia case was reported. The disease is spread out through close contact from one person to another. This virus can cause someone to be very ill and also lead the infected person to death by disrupting their entire respiratory system.

COVID-19 has manifested and created panic among the public since the virus was established as a global health crisis. The COVID 19 widespread has significantly disrupted many countries’ routine due to the implementation of a global lockdown, causing people to stay at home, so they are not infected by this airborne virus. As of now, 12, 947,855 people have been infected and 567,744 have died from this pandemic.

Both father and son have released the news on their social media handles, prior to being admitted at Nanavathi Hospital.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Amitabh Bachchan (@amitabhbachchan)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Abhishek Bachchan (@bachchan)

Yesterday, Health Minister of India, Rajesh Tope posted the news on his Twitter account stating both Aishwarya Rai and daughter Aaradhya Bachchan have also contracted Covid-19, however reports for Amitabh Bachchan’s wife, Jaya Bachchan has been negative.
Amitabh Bachchan released a public statement on his social media account requesting those that have been in close contact with him for the past 10 days to get checked immediately. Whereas, Abhishek has asked netizens to not panic and be calm regarding this matter.
Celebrities like Mohanlal, SJ Suryah, Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra and fans have voiced out their heartfelt get well-soon wishes and prayers for the well-known family on their social-media posts.
Unfortunately, India happens to be one with the highest number of Covid-19 cases in the Asian continent. The country has reported to have 850,000 confirmed cases and 22, 674 deaths. India’s first case was reported on 30th January 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown on 24th March 2020.
Covid-19 has to be taken very seriously. Preventive measures have to be strictly followed by individuals to avoid being infected. Practice social distancing, avoid crowded places and always remember to sanitise and wear a face mask everywhere you go.
Remember! Prevention is always better than cure.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  Dr Vinod Balasubramaniam Receives 'UniteHealth's COVID-19 Influencers Award'
Filed Under abhishek bachan test positive for covid-19Abishek Bachanabitanh bachan test postive for covid-19Amitabh Bachancorona viruscovid-19safe measuresSocial distancingtest postive


#PauseMalaysia Or #ForwardMalaysia? A Debate On Syed Saddiq’s New Announcement

On 7th October 2020, Syed Saddiq , the founder of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA), posted a one-minute video to launch the “Pause Malaysia” campaign on all social media platforms, including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, requesting all politicians and government parties to temporarily halt their recent takeover of power and to concentrate on saving Malaysians from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cukup cukup lah bergaduh!
Sambil ada yang berebut takhta kuasa, rakyat terus menderita dan sengsara.
ENOUGH! Fokus jaga rakyat!#PauseMalaysia pic.twitter.com/2wrN53LrKW
— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) October 7, 2020

Ever since the video was out, it has been going viral all over social media, particularly on Twitter. In that video, Syed Saddiq, former Minister of Youth and Sports, asked for three demands for a new Cabinet.
The first called for a truce between all political parties, including the opposition, arguing that the people are the ones who are suffering as a result of the latest wave of power grabs. The second request was that no general election be termed as long as the Covid-19 virus continues to spread around the world. The final appeal was for the government, the opposition and independent politicians to emerge together, figure out a way to compromise and make public’s welfare a top priority.
It is very depressing to hear that Malaysia has seen a massive surge in Covid-19 cases almost every day since the Sabah state election ended at the end of last month. In addition, there were 691 new cases on 6th October, which made massive headlines becoming the highest record of concern to the entire nation.

 Thus, shifting public’s attention towards the pandemic and launching this campaign to take care of the nation fighting Covid-19 seems like a wise decision. However, this video has received both positive and negative comments and trolls from the public.
https://twitter.com/_farahsaberi/status/1313742543335550976?s=20
https://twitter.com/newstradr/status/1313763271501963266?s=20
https://twitter.com/Ttw0321/status/1313833868261167105?s=20

MUDA's "Pause Malaysia".
I don't think MUDA ever meant to put a "pause" on:
1) Holding the Gov accountable2) Criticizing Ministerial policies3) Calling out (loudly) abuse of power & oppression
I promise u, I'll be the 1st one out any movement who expects me to "pause" these.
— Lim Wei Jiet (@lim_weijiet) October 7, 2020

Some on the other hand disagree with #PauseMalaysia and is supporting #ForwardMalaysia. “Forward Malaysia” has four core principles; they want a strong and stable government, a wise democratic culture with respect to the constitution of law, a downright rejection of a government administration which practices double-standards, an outright rejection of the snap election and a desire to fully focus on fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

Let's make #ForwardMalaysia trending tonite! https://t.co/R6UkHLv7lS
— Syafiqah Razali (@pcarbee) October 7, 2020

We need to move #forwardmalaysia #PauseMalaysia is irrelevant pic.twitter.com/U4i9UHEkNI
— Angkatan Muda KEADILAN Wilayah Persekutuan (@AMKWILAYAH) October 7, 2020

Syed Saddiq is a young Member of Parliament who has brought so many changes to the lives of Malaysian youths and has been very helpful in dealing with the problems of university students, but his latest campaign has definitely shaken the nation and many are debating about it.
Source: Syed Saddiq Twitter
What do you think of the #PauseMalaysia campaign? Do you agree with the demands made? Don’t forget to share your thoughts, exercise you right to freedom of expression. We are a democratic nation anyway!
Source: ASTRO
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Forward MalaysiaMUDAPause MalaysiaSyed saddiq


Johnson & Johnson to Stop Selling Skin Whitening Cream

In what is probably the best news of this bleak year, Johnson & Johnson has decided to stop selling sell skin-whitening cream after coming under social pressure amid a global debate about racial inequality.
The consumer-products giant said on Friday that it would no longer sell certain products that are advertised as dark-spot reducers but have been used by some purchasers to lighten skin tone. The product lines Neutrogena Fine Fairness and Clear Fairness by Clean & Clear were sold in the Middle East and Asia.
Johnson & Johnson said, “Conversations over the past few weeks highlighted that some product names or claims on our dark spot reducer products represent fairness or white as better than your unique skin tone.”

Johnson & Johnson said it would no longer produce or ship the products, but that they might still appear on store shelves until stocks run out.
Creams that promise to lighten or brighten skin are marketed primarily to women by the world’s biggest personal care companies, including Unilever, Procter & Gamble and L’Oreal under their respective brands Fair & Lovely, Olay and Garnier. Those companies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Creams that promise to lighten or brighten skin are marketed primarily to women by companies like Unilever, Procter & Gamble and L’Oreal under their respective brands Fair & Lovely, Olay and Garnier.
About 6,277 tonnes of skin lighteners were sold worldwide last year, according to Euromonitor International, including products marketed as anti-aging creams targeting dark spots or freckles.
In India, where the Clean & Clear skin-lightening line is sold, consumers have posted reviews touting the products’ effects and their ability to lighten skin. In Asia, commercials advertising Neutrogena Fine Fairness have described how it allows a consumer to “whiten more thoroughly.”
More than 11,000 people have signed a petition calling on Unilever to stop selling Fair & Lovely. Commercials for the cream have famously shown dark-skinned women using it to lighten their skin and then becoming more successful in their careers as a result.
The problem with fairness creams are twice fold. Not only do they promote the incorrigble idea that fair skin is beautiful, they also are very harmful to the user’s skin.
Earlier this year, Norway has banned two products of the skin whitening cream, Fair & Lovely, saying they contain toxic ingredients which pose serious health hazards. This was done as they contained toxic metal mercury and hydroquinone – a skin lightening agent.
However, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), which owns the brand, responded that the company will look into the matter and said the banned items “could be counterfeit products”.
Two weeks ago, the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) has issued a ban on the three cosmetic products that contain mercury which can be harmful to health. Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has urged the public to stop purchasing and using Glow Skin White Brightening Cream, Glow Skin White Sun Care and Rzac Beauty Creme 2.
Unfortunately, these products are still on sale online and at major pharmacies.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Johnson & JohnsonSkin-Whitening CreamsWill stop selling


The TFA Choir Performs A Mind-Blowing Rendition Of AR Rahman’s ‘Dil Se Re’

What a perfect way to step into the weekend.
The TFA Choir sees a gathering of aspiring musicians who range between 16 to 60 of age. The choir is also known as the Stairwell choir and consists of teams of tenor, bass, soprano and alto singers from all walks of life.

The TFA Choir was formed three years ago to explore and include choir and a cappella singing in TFA orchestra and ensemble productions. They are currently pursuing Carnatic, Hindustani classical and a cappella vocal lessons at TFA and regularly take part in various productions and performances.
This weekend, the TFA Choir will be performing in a show called The Sound of Silence on 12 May 2019 at 6.30pm at the Kanagasabai Studio, TFA KL. The choir gave us a sneak peek of what to expect this weekend on Instagram with a mind-blowing rendition of AR Rahman’s ‘Dil Se Re’ from the 1998 film ‘Bombay’.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Temple Of Fine Arts KL (@tfa_kl)

To know more about TFA Choir’s The Sound of Silence, call 03-2274 3709 or email admin@tfa.org.my for more information.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under sound of silencestairwell choirtemple of fine artstfatfa choir


Checkout Your Grocery Shopping Essentials At MYGROSER

As Malaysians prepare to brace themselves against the COVID-19 outbreak, we are also in the midst of settling in for a much-needed change. Among those changes include the way we run our daily errands at the grocery stores. With the alignment of structured guidelines curated by our government, cashless transactions in the way we purchase goods are now highly encouraged.
Having this in mind, MYGROSER being the nation’s leading homegrown, independent online grocery platform is aiming to bring you fresh grocery shopping convenience with guaranteed value at just one click away. So if you, as a customer, are looking to get your money’s worth in one neat package, MYGROSER is your natural online choice.
Long before COVID-19 showed up, the year-old MYGROSER was already a popular household name with a tag for seamless supply of fresh farm produce such as meat, frozen foods, dry foods, greens, groceries, spices, sauces, and an incredible variety of daily essentials. More items are being added on as the online grocery platform gains momentum by the day. Customers are sure to be spoilt for choice and for the sheer convenience of it all.

With MYGROSER, customers get to enjoy guaranteed freshness that comes with every MYGROSER item you order. The guarantee clicks in once a product that is delivered aren’t fresh, the company assures that they will immediately send a fresh replacement or refund the amount back into your MYGROSER account via store credit.
If you are wondering how the delivery is done, no worries, really. MYGROSER has its own dedicated delivery teams for customers’ peace of mind. In fact, their cutting edge technology allows customers to schedule their grocery deliveries up to a week in advance and to also enjoy free delivery for orders that qualify. It’s a flexible service that ensures quality and customer satisfaction all the way.
Related:  Makkal Selvan, Vijay Sethupathi Arrives In Malaysia!Yes, MYGROSER has come a long way within twelve short months. To be precise, September 2020 marks a milestone in the company’s march as a proud Malaysian online grocery platform. And to share their joy, the company has just released the first-ever self-produced MYGROSER video rightly showcasing testimonials of satisfied customers. As a wrap up on 16 September, MYGROSER will be launching its “year one” anniversary video for all their customers too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kdRpLSR9EA&feature=youtu.beVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Here to Help with MyGroser (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kdRpLSR9EA&feature=youtu.be)

For customers wishing to know more about Malaysia’s leading online grocery platform, please head on to MY GROSER’s respective Facebook, Instagram and YouTube page. Also, MYGROSER isn’t leaving you empty-handed just yet as there will be vouchers giveaway worth RM1,000,000 in total up for grabs! To stand a chance to win, please visit Shop Malaysia Online for an array of awesome PENJANA discount vouchers at your disposal.

Thanks to the seamless convenience offered by MYGROSER at such unprecedented times we face today, customers are sure to benefit from guaranteed savings, convenience and value. Together, let us take this time and embrace unity as one nation by wishing Malaysia’s leading online grocery platform a Happy 1 Year Anniversary!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under anniversaryCampaignGroceriesGroserMalaysiamygroserShopping


Jai Hind Restaurant: A Time Capsule of Authentic Punjabi Cuisine Since 1946

If North Indian Cuisine is what you’re craving then Jai Hind is the perfect spot to head on to.
The eatery has kept its original appearance and continues to serve delicious and genuine Punjabi cuisine that has made it renowned.
Despite its proximity to KL’s well-known Masjid Jamek, Jai Hind remains as popular among locals and tourists. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, such as aloo paratha, chapati, various types of dhal, chicken peratal, chicken kurma, and mutton.
IMAGE CREDIT: FMT
 Whereas those with a sweet tooth, can enjoy the palkova, gulab jamun, and a selection of milk-based sweets called barfi. Not leaving out, tea lovers to spend their stress-free time here with delicious samosas and vadais.
If you’re going for lunch, it’s best to arrive early, as many loyal customers are old folks who have been regulars since the 1950s. Bhoopender Singh, the current owner, took over from his father, Dallip Singh, in 1974. He is happy to serve customers and says they mean a lot to him.
IMAGE CREDIT: FMT
The menu was much simpler in the past, with a simple chapati and dhal being enough for customers.
“That time, the menu was simple. A simple chapati and dhal were more than enough for hungry customers. Today, if you go to any restaurant, the varieties are abundant and you’ll be spoilt for choice,” expressed Bhoopender to FMT.
Beside the restaurant, there is a sweets kitchen where ladoo, palkova, jelebi, and gulab jamun are made. Jai Hind is renowned for its quality and great-tasting sweets and caters for weddings and special occasions.
IMAGE CREDIT: FMT
Where is this Jai Hind located?
Restoran Jai Hind, 15, Jalan Melayu, City Centre 50100 Kuala Lumpur. The restaurant operates from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm daily.
Source: (1)
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Bhoopender SinghJai Hind RestaurantNorth Indian Cuisine


Astro To Broadcast International Serial Shows Come July For Your Viewing Pleasure

July has finally arrived, signalling the halfway point of the year. After a long marathon of dealing with everything, most of us may have felt like we had completed halfway through this pandemic. In fact, we are still dealing with it now.  But don’t forget to take a break and snooze on your couch to rest.
And what better way to relax than by watching some of the shows that will air on Astro in July? What’s more, guess what? Relaxing and enjoyable international Tamil series are awaiting our viewing pleasure. Customers of all ages will be able to enjoy a variety of show genres.
Avatharam
Suspense Thriller
Premiered on 1st July, 9pm on Astro Vinmeen HD (Ch202)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AstroUlagam (@astroulagam)

Karnan G. Crack, Subashini Asokan, Mathialagan, Puravalan Narayanasamy, Udaya Soundari, Alawdin Ali, Dhivyah Raveen, Rupiny Anbalagan, Stephen Zechariah, and Haaran Pj star in a 26-episode series directed by T. Suriavelan.
The gripping series follows the mysterious death of an award-winning actor, which is followed by a series of murders in a city that leads police to a bed-ridden suspect.
Mahamayi
Devotional
Premiered on 5th July, 7.30pm on Astro Vaanavil HD (Ch 201)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AstroUlagam (@astroulagam)

S. Nagabharana directs this enthralling tale about Sundari, who does not believe in the “Goddess.” Her scepticism of the ‘Goddess’ stems from her previous incarnation as Princess Rajeshwari, a devotee of the Goddess.
Sri Vishnu Dasavatharam
Devotional
Premieres on 15 July, 7pm on Astro Vinmeen HD (Ch 202) – weekdays

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AstroUlagam (@astroulagam)

As per the title, this devotional series is all about Lord Vishnu who is known for protection, preservation and restoration and who falls in love with Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, wealth, prosperity and beauty, directed by Dheeraj Kumar.
Nambinaal Nambungal
Horror
Premiered on 3rd July, 7.30pm on Astro Vinmeen HD (Ch 202)-weekends

This series takes us on a journey to many horrendous paranormal happenings, superstitions and strange rituals that are hosted by the Nizhalgal Ravi in distant areas.
Atchoo
Tamil animation
Premiered on 1st July, 5pm on Astro Vaanavil HD (Ch 201)

Not forgetting their little audience, Astro has brought you ‘Atchoo’– an animated Tamil series about a smart and cheerful 9-year-old boy who turns into an animal as he sneezes. Why is the title ‘Atchoo,’ do you understand?
ViR: The Robot Boy Season 1
Tamil animation
Premiered on 1st July, 5.30pm on Astro Vaanavil HD (Ch 201)

Astro never brings just one, but two animated series to entertain their young audience, including Vir, a robot with human-like emotions, qualities, and superhuman abilities who sets out to save the day with the help of his friends: Chulbul, a pet donkey, Imli, an eight-year-old child, and Gintu, a magical jinn. This hilarious series is directed by Suhas Kadav.
From July 1, Astro customers can watch all of these international Tamil series across a variety of genres on TV, Astro GO, and On Demand. Visit their website or follow them on social media for more information. Happy Tuesday, everyone!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Astro Tv ShowsAtchooAvatharamJuly ShowsJuly Tv ShowsMahamayiNambinaal NambungalVir


No Rush To Reopen Hindu Temples – Penang Hindu Endowment Board

The Penang Hindu Endowment Board is skeptical of plans to reopen Hindu temples in green zones on important days come June 10th. Green zones are areas free of Covid-19 cases.
Board chairperson P Ramasamy questioned the announcement by Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob on May 21, that alongside other non-Muslim places of worship, some 84 Hindu temples in green zones will be opened for services from June 10 onwards, as long as they maintain SOPs for social distancing and hygiene.
“We are very concerned that temples are being re-opened too quickly. There are even calls for services to be carried out more than once a week,” said Ramasamy who is also Penang Deputy Chief Minister.
He was referring to a report that the Malaysian Hindu Sangam is seeking federal approval for Hindu temples to open twice a week next month under the new guidelines.
It was understood that Sangam president RS Mohan Shan had submitted a request to the National Security Council as well as the National Unity Department for all 84 Hindu temples to operate on both Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm to 9pm.

“The Council of Churches Malaysia said they would not follow the June 10 directive and preferred to wait until the movement control order (MCO) is lifted. This should be the stand of the Hindu Sangam,” said Ramasamy.
He said he did not understand why the Malaysian Hindu Sangam was asking for more days even before the opening on June 10, and he called for more details from National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique as to why the 84 temples were chosen.
ramasamy said he did not understand why the Malaysian Hindu Sangam was asking for more days even before the opening on June 10
“Moreover the Malaysian Hindu Sangam is not necessarily the representative of all Hindus in Malaysia,” he claimed.
Source: Malaysiakini
Ramasamy called on Malaysia’s Hindu population to be patient and disciplined. “We have been under the MCO for quite some time. This is about life and death, no small matter.”
Commenting on reports that Selangor police have recorded statements from 33 people in connection with a wedding ceremony alleged to have been held at a temple in Seri Kembangan on May 25, Ramasamy said that if true, the wedding should not have taken place at all and action should be taken against the offenders.
News Credit: Malaysiakini
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Board chairperson P RamasamyDefence Minister Ismail Sabri YaakobMalaysian Hindu SangamNo any rush to reopen temple


Merdeka-Themed Video Triggers Outrage Among Chinese & Indian Netizens

With so many current issues of attention today, the topic of RACISM is becoming a commonplace. A Muslim NGO has landed itself into hot water after their Merdeka-themed video with racist remarks sparked an online debate among Malaysian netizens.
In the 1-minute video, aptly titled “Mak, Dah Siap” depicts a Malay father disparaging Indians and Chinese and stereotyping them as gangsters and drunk drivers. To make the matter worse, the word *K..* has been used in the video and fortunately netizens spotted it in the nick of time before making its round on social media platforms.

Don’t they know that it’s wrong to detriment Malaysians by using such words especially during the Merdeka month? It seems like the ad might have been produced to purposely create racial discrimination amongst Malaysians.

Since the video went viral on social media platforms, it has triggered an outrage among non-muslim Malaysians and action needs to be taken with immediate effect without any dilly-dallying against those who are responsible for creating this video. It’s unlawful to blanket preclude a person because of their race.

While the NGO removed the video from all social media platforms, here’s a quick look at the video circulating online.

https://varnam.my/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/whatsapp-video-2021-08-25-at-101156-am-2_tEsfdvtp.mp4
And to our surprise, the well-known Malay-language daily newspaper, Sinar Harian logo also appears at the end of the advertisement, being one of the companies that collaborated along with the NGO. The mainstream media outlet has distanced themselves from the controversial video, stating they have no connection whatsoever with the ad.

Can they justify themselves over the media company’s logo at the end of the video?

Apart from removing the video, the NGO has stepped up and apologised for the inflammatory remarks in the video, claiming that the main objective was to instil patriotism. It was meant to illustrate the current reality amongst some Malaysians who prefer to label other races unfavourably.
It’s no longer enough to identify yourself as a non-racist person, instead it’s time to be anti-racist. Rather than putting race inequality under the rug and denying its presence, we must address it.
In keeping with the spirit of the forthcoming National Day, practicing racial unity is essential in a country rich in culture, history, and ethnic diversity. We are no longer in the colonial era (we have been independent for 63 years ), therefore let us make a conscious effort to deprogram any racist ideas and ideologies that still exist in our culture. Make a commitment to bettering yourself and others on this National Day, so that we may proudly represent our country.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under “MakDah Siap”IkramMerdeka-Theme VideoMuslim NGORacial Discrimination


EXCLUSIVE: Miss MalaysiaIndian Global 2019, Sumittra Gunalan – The Queen Who Exudes Positivity

The personal empowerment pageant Miss MalaysiaIndian Global 2019 was held last month, and we now have a new queen, Sumittra Gunalan.
The 23 year old public relations consultant speaks candidly to Varnam about how the pageant organisers and the workshops she attended helped her reach a state of openness. Thanks to the pageant, Sumittra now breathes positivity into all areas of her life.

Varnam (V): Congratulations on your win! How does it feel to be the twentieth Miss MalaysiaIndian Global?
Sumittra (S): Thank you! To be honest, it really hasn’t sunk in yet. Life has been moving so fast since my win. It does feel surreal, but at the same time, I am so grateful for this title and the platform. It is going to be an interesting year, there is plenty to take on. I’m excited!
V: Were you aware that this was not a beauty pageant, but a personal empowerment pageant when you auditioned?
S: Not at all! A friend of mine sent me the link for the pageant audition. I did some research and learnt that this was not your average beauty pageant. It is one that focuses on personal empowerment and community service. That instantly drew me in! My research didn’t prepare me for the change that I saw in myself when I sat through the workshops. That’s when the impact of the program was really unearthed for me.

V: Which was your favourite workshop throughout the pageant?
S: The one workshop that stood out for me was the talk by Jeevan Sahadevan. He’s a professional business coach, and he spoke to us about our ambitions and how to manifest them into reality. He gave us some really good pointers, the one that stood out to me was the 7 values to determine your success and how to plan your financial portfolio.
Beyond that, was the energy in the room during Mr Jeevan’s sessions that was unforgettable. The moment we started talking about our ambitions, everyone was getting excited. And let me tell you, it was so empowering to sit in a room filled with like-minded young Indian women, all ready to take on their dreams with confidence!
And let me tell you, it was so empowering to sit in a room filled with like-minded young Indian women, all ready to take on their dreams!
It left me thinking, “Wow, I’m not the only one planning my life this way and now I have these girls to share it with!” It was truly empowering to see women uplift each other to work toward their dreams.

V: Do you now feel like you have a better understanding of yourself, as a result of the pageant?
S: Yes, definitely. In fact, when I entered the pageant, I was so sure that I knew who I was. As I attended each clinic and workshop, it was almost as it I was being reconstructed. My mindset towards many things changed.
At one point, I was left confused! It was then that Mrs Pushparani Thilaganathan (Mrs Rani), the founder of Miss MalaysiaIndian Global, told me that confusion is the best place to be. She said, “Confusion allows you to be accepting to change, and open to new ideas and challenges,” Sure enough, as I looked back to how I kept saying that I knew myself so well, that was my fear talking and it created a barrier from taking on new challenges.
“Confusion allows you to be accepting to change, and open to new ideas and challenges,”
Right now, I have been left in a state of true openness. Understanding who I am as a person is an ongoing process. I am not going to say that I’ve arrived, because it really is a journey. Miss MalaysiaIndian Global definitely kick-started it!
V: Tell us a little about the sisterhood of Miss MalaysiaIndian Global.
S: Where do I begin? (laughs) It is something else. I am the kind of person who needs time to feel comfortable around new people. With these ladies, we really connected during the Community and Environment Awareness program, over a four day weekend in Penang. This was life changing. It became second nature to showcase who I am as a person, and I didn’t have to have my guard up.
Post competition, our friendship has not changed. I am deeply grateful to have met these incredible women, and it’s going to be a wonderful year working with together.

The Miss MalaysiaIndian Global team themselves made this possible, they work extra hard to make sure that all of us contestants feel included. It really is a safe space to be who you are and to share what you feel.
The Miss MalaysiaIndian Global team themselves made this possible, they work extra hard to make sure that all of us contestants feel included, and it really is a safe space to be who you are.
V: The Miss MalaysiaIndian Global finale this year was something else, being the twentieth year of the pageant. Share with us your experience on that day!
S: On the day of the finale, I remember starting off the day telling myself to be calm, and to be present. I knew that by the end of the night, no matter what the outcome, I would be grateful for the whole experience and what it has taught me. I told myself to just calm down and take it all in.
V: And we hear that the organising team was very helpful backstage as well..
S: Oh yes! They really helped us keep our nerves in check. I was the first contestant to walk the stage, and just before I did, Mrs Sandhya, who is part of the organising team, was calming me down. She said, “Don’t worry, if there is anything on your mind right now, just tell me okay? I’m here,” And thanks to all these small gestures, all of us contestants were able to stay composed throughout the night.

Even while standing on stage, I didn’t feel the nerves. I owe this to Mrs Rani. She always taught us to be grateful, and it was with her voice in my mind, that I walked confidently onto the stage that night. At one point, my dress got stuck to my shoe, but I didn’t let that fluster me. I kept telling myself, “You’re here! Appreciate this! Soak it all in.”
V: We know that it is way too soon to ask about your community service project, but tell us about a cause that is close to your heart.
S: Mental health is a cause that is close to my heart. There is a slight lack of awareness in our community when it comes to the topic. However, people are slowly talking more about it, which is good, but I’d like to do my part in spreading this cause to the masses.
Mental health is a taboo and because of that, it often gets overlooked. Ultimately, your mental well being is what is going to get you through the day. Of course, it is still undecided if our community service project will revolve around the topic of mental health.
Sumittra pictured with her friends and family after winning the title. Image credit: Sumittra Gunalan
V: Do you feel a pressure going into your reign seeing how all the women of Miss MalaysiaIndian Global have touched hearts and changed lives over the years?
S: I would much rather use the word inspire! There is not too much pressure, weirdly enough. Seeing the queens from the past 20 years on stage with the founder, Mrs Rani, only inspires me to do my best during my reign.
It gives me this drive and it shows me the kind of woman I can be. So, instead of comparing my reign with theirs, I want to do Miss MalaysiaIndian Global proud, however much it may be, while putting the Sumittra stamp on it.

V: That’s beautiful. What is one thing you want to achieve during your reign?
S: I actually have two things! Firstly, my personal growth. I want to develop myself as much as possible. Taking on this role for the year, it is going to put me in so many uncomfortable and unexpected situations. I want to see myself be a stronger woman mentally, intellectually and emotionally take on these challenges. At the same time, I would like to represent the association to the best of my ability.
I also want to be able to impact our community for the better. It doesn’t matter how small or big my impact may be, I just want to contribute something. A small deed goes a long way, but with this platform I can surely do more. I want to inspire young Malaysian Indian girls, show them that their dreams are valid and success is possible!
Miss MalaysiaIndian Global is decades of effort, love and commitment to the women of our community. I really cannot wait to dive in and see what I can do this year.
Team Varnam wishes Miss MalaysiaIndian Global 2019, Sumittra Gunalan, the very best for her reign, may she inspire and empower like the many queens before her.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Miss MalaysiaIndian Global 2019sumittra gunalan


Kangana Ranaut Will Be Gaining Weight For Her Role In ‘Thalaivi’!

Kangana Ranaut has been on a roll!
Aparajitha Ayodhya, based on the Ram Mandir issue will be produced by her. She also unveiled a brief but an extremely intriguing teaser of her next, Thalaivi in which she plays actress-turned-politician Jayalalithaa, who became a hero in her career in the public sphere. The film focusses on what drove an actress to take the reigns of power in her own hands. Kangana’s look as Thalaivi stunned many.

The actress has not been making too many public appearances lately.  The actress, who looked extremely fit and healthy spoke about her fitness regime and stressed on the importance of self-grooming.
“My fitness routine changes with the needs of the characters that I am playing in a film. Like right now, I have professional help at hand for gaining weight in a healthy manner. At a personal level, the idea is to just stay fit and healthy round the year. I eat vegetarian food, I consume a lot of vegetable juices and fruits in the day and I don’t miss my date with yoga every day. I’ve realised that enhancing yourself and grooming your personality is very important if you wish to stand out in a crowd. I follow that mantra. I mean, once, I couldn’t handle my curls but today, I know how to do it. I learnt the art.”

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  Vetrimaaran’s Viduthalai Part 1 is a Harrowing Account On The Abuse of Power
Filed Under Kangana RanautTamilthalaivi


Returning Malaysians Cry Foul Over “50% Discount” on Mandatory Quarantine Payment

Malaysians across the globe are unhappy with the ruling that citizens need to bear 50% of the mandatory quarantine charge upon returning home.
Yesterday, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that from June 1st, foreigners entering Malaysia will have to pay RM150 for each day they are in mandatory quarantine. This includes non-citizen spouses and dependents who are of permanent resident status.
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob
Malaysians, on the other hand, need to pay half the figure, amounting to a whopping RM 1050. This is based on a rough calculation for the two week quarantine imposed by the government on its own citizens.
Malaysians need to pay a whopping RM 1050 for the two week quarantine, imposed by the government on its own citizens.
Ismail said the decision was made at the National Security Council meeting. He also said that those wanting to return to Malaysia will have to sign a letter of undertaking agreeing to bear the quarantine costs.
“The signing of the letter can be done at Malaysian Embassies and High Commissions. After the agreement is signed, the office will also issue a letter permitting them to return to Malaysia. The Immigration Department will also be issuing a directive to all airline companies to make it a condition for passengers disembarking in Malaysia to have the letter, ” he said.
To date, 38,371 Malaysians who returned from overseas were quarantined and 30,200 individuals had completed the process and were allowed to go home.
Malaysians cry foul
Malaysians everywhere took to social media to voice their dissatisfaction with this bizarre ruling.
Image credit: Facebook
Many echoed that it is blatantly unfair for the government to foot the bill for Malaysians returning in May, and refuse to do so in June, mostly because many are stuck outside the country for various reasons.
Image credit: Facebook
Others voiced out their dissatisfaction with the government with this move, citing sky high airline ticket prices to return to Malaysia in the first place as flights are fewer in number.
Many also pointed out that the cost of living abroad is usually much higher than in Malaysia. Not only are returning Malaysians plagued with this burden along with their exorbitant flight tickets, they now have to fork out an additional four figure sum to merely go home in their own country.
Related:  Dr Vinod Balasubramaniam Receives 'UniteHealth's COVID-19 Influencers Award'Not only are returning Malaysians plagued with this burden along with their exorbitant flight tickets, they now have to fork out an additional four figure sum to merely go home.
Returning Malaysians are already plagued with two large financial burdens. The exorbitant flight tickets and high cost of living abroad. They now have to deal with an additional four figure sum to merely go home.
The Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisations (Mapim) has urged the government to reconsider making Malaysians returning from abroad pay for part of the cost of their quarantine. Mapim president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid said the high cost of being quarantined in a hotel would be a burden for workers and students.
“It is very burdensome if Malaysian who go overseas for work, business, government posts or studies have to bear the cost of quarantine when they return,” he said. He also suggested the government channel the Covid-19 donation funds to pay for quarantines.
Dhinesh, a Malaysian student currently stranded in Adelaide, Australia, said that this is a terribly unfair situation to be put in. “I’ve been trying to get on a flight back to Kuala Lumpur, but it keeps getting cancelled. I finally secured my flight ticket, paying thrice the usual rate, but I will be landing after the 1st of June, which means I have to fork out even more money,” he said, dejected. “The fact that we have to undergo a quarantine is understandable. But making us pay for it simply because we are entering the country in June?”
“All I want is to go home, at this point. I wish the authorities would sympathise with us and remove this ruling for Malaysians,”
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under covid-19malaysians abroadmandatory quarantinereturning malaysians


Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya; Uniting All Malaysians For A Good Cause

The true Malaysian spirit of generosity, compassion and kindness is undeniably evident in these last few days. It is overwhelming to see fellow Malaysians coming together and helping one another in a great time of need.
Malaysians, fellow furry friends and strays hugely affected by the flood which raged in Selangor over the last weekend causing severe damage and flooding and worse the loss of lives in Klang, Shah Alam, Subang, Petaling Jaya and Hulu Langat have witnessed the greatest act of love by none other than the average Malaysian out there.
It may be argued that the power of social media is one of the major factors that has helped to bring together hundreds of volunteers to assist the stranded victims.
Image credit: The Star
Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya has been the buzz of the town because of the multiracial kitchen they’ve created to provide food for the flood victims.
On 18th December 2021, Gurudwara Sahib Petaling Jaya posted that they will be cooking food for the hazardous flood victims in the Klang area which composites Klang, Shah Alam, Subang and Petaling Jaya.
Image credit: nst
The food being prepared is vegetarian and halal and will be delivered in bulk to the areas that require assistance. Since the morning of December 20th, a huge number of volunteers gathered at the Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya to assist with the preparation of vegetarian meals for those impacted by the flash floods in the Klang Valley caused by heavy downpours. The diversity of people who came to volunteer for this cause which makes up of their ethnicities, faith, and religion, drew the attention of netizens.
Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya/facebook
Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya/facebook
Many netizens praised the efforts and commitment of Malaysians who sacrificed their time to provide assistance to flood victims. Many are seen cutting veggies and cooking while wearing a headscarf. In a Gurdwara, it is usual to wear a headscarf or cover one’s head with a bandanna as a symbol of respect.
Image credit: Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya/facebook
The Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya has pledged to keep providing food to flood victims till the situation improves. For flood victims, the Gurdwara is also serving as a drop-off location for dry goods such as rice, baby formula, baby and adult diapers, sanitary napkins, candles, and matches.
Image credit: Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya/facebook
Contact the GSPJ Flood Foodbank at 010-2174556 for food assistance that includes preparation and delivery to impacted communities.
Follow Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya Facebook page for more updates.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Flood 2021Gurudwara Sahib Petaling Jaya


Priyanka Chopra Arrives Like Royalty At The MET Gala 2019

First of all, we need to catch our breath from all the hyperventilating after seeing this couple arrive at the MET Gala 2019!
Celebrities have been raving about the highly coveted annual MET Gala that is held as a fundraising gala for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City. The entire event is meticulously curated for months by Anna Wintour, the Vogue editor-in-chief and chairperson of the Institute, and her trusted team. The theme for this year’s MET gala is ‘Camp’ and it left many of us confused if they meant pitching a canvas in the wilderness.
What it turns out to be is the theme for the MET Gala 2019 is inspired by Camp: Notes on Fashion is an exploration of how over-the-top fashion has been used as both a form of expression and escapism throughout history and was inspired by Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay that defines camp as “love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration.”
And EXAGGERATE they did!
Lady Gaga stripped on the red carpet, Kim Kardashian cinched her waist beyond humanly possible measures and Billy Eliot arrived on a throne carried by 6 beautiful men.
And then came Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
The MET Gala is a very significant moment for Mr & Mrs Jonas as it was one of their first public appearances together. They were dressed in Ralph Lauren in 2017.

Fast forward 2 years later, the (now married) couple, stole the show as they arrived in Dior. Priyanka wore a silver Dior Haute Couture dress with a feathered skirt and a thorny crown and Nick complemented her in white suit by Dior Men.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under met galaNick JonasPriyanka ChopraPriyanka Chopra Jonas


Sateesh Karuppusamy Drives 200km to Return Wallet to E-Hailing Passenger

Malaysian rideshare driver Sateesh Karuppusamy traveled more than 200km to Johor Bahru, cutting short his family vacation in Melaka, to return his passenger’s wallet.
Rideshare passenger Carney Mak posted a picture of himself and Sateesh in the Johor Bahru Traffic, Crime, and Community Service Report (JB TRACER) Facebook group to express his appreciation towards his kind driver. The 31-year-old didn’t realise that he had lost his wallet until later that night, when he wanted to pay for dinner.

Mak said that Sateesh found his wallet and they both agreed to meet the next evening as it was already past midnight. The pair agreed to meet at the Johor Bahru Sentral Caltex petrol station and only then did Mak fing out that Sateesh had driven all the way from Melaka to return his wallet.
Mak has shared that this incident has restored his faith in humanity as most of his identity card and few hundred dollars was in the wallet. He also mentioned that he feels lucky that nobody else swiped his wallet.
This incident should be treasured as there are fewer and fewer honest people in the world.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.


Vizhithiru Manitha Encapsulates The Emotions Of Malaysians In Such Trying Times

Even though Merdeka has passed, it is still a wonderful moment to reflect on the beauty of our country and the people who have struggled to develop and prosper it since independence in 1957.
And what better way to celebrate our independence day through a beautiful nationalistic song. It’s true that music can deliver a host of different emotions.
Suresh Resh has released a brand new patriotic song aptly titled Vizhithiru Manitha, in conjunction with this year’s 64th Independence Day, and this song will definitely touch one’s heart with its meaningful lyrics.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Suresh Resh (@sures_entertains)

Composed and penned by Suresh along with Siddharth Thevadason, the song heals one’s soul, and delivers a very positive message to those who are going through hard times. The voice of Siamala Devi is emotionally-driven, allowing us to ponder upon the contributions made by the frontliners in the midst of this pandemic.
Watch the full music video below:

https://youtu.be/3NwbPRyX3usVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Vizitiru Manitha Official Song (https://youtu.be/3NwbPRyX3us)

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under independence dayMeaningful lyricsSiddharth ThevadasonsureshVizhithiru Manitha


Madhavan’s Next Tamil Movie is Out of This World!

Has anyone else missed the ever so adorable Madhavan? We caught him in Vikram Vedha early last year, and later on, a mere glimpse of him in Magalir Mattum. And yet, it never feels like it is enough, is it?
Well, earlier today, Madhavan announced his next project, a biopic on Indian space scientist, Nambi Narayanan. Rocketry – The Nambi Effect is slated to be the biggest space themed biopic of our time. Having directed the movie himself, along with Anant Mahadevan, Madhavan affirms that this is one story that needs to be heard. Anant is a National Award winning director. Madhavan has toiled to perform this character, and he will be portraying the role of the scientist from the age of 25 to 75.
Indian Space Research Organization Scientist, Mr Nambi Narayanan
What’s got us more excited is that Rocketry – The Nambi Effect will release in Tamil, Hindi and ENGLISH! We can’t recall the last time a Tamil movie was released in English but this will definitely set a precedent for future films. Not only will it be easier to tap into the international market, but this could very well be the unique selling point of Rocketry – The Nambi Effect.
Madhavan is no stranger to taking on more serious roles. He seems to have worked quite hard at ditching the ‘chocolate boy’ tagline that kept following him around since Alai Payuthey. In fact, he took a hiatus from Tamil films after his flick Vettai. He then came back with a rugged, brawny look for Irudhi Sutru, and maintained that with Vikram Vedha. His stint in Bollywood has certainly paid off. Madhavan speaks Hindi fluently and is one of the few Tamil stars to break the Bollywood market.
Related:  Madhavan Birthday Special : Big Win At IIFA Awards 2023Rocketry – The Nambi Effect will hit screens in the summer of 2019. While it might not fit into the classic intergalactic genre of movies, we are sure that this movie will make much more sense than that last space themed movie, Tik Tik Tik. We wish Madhavan and team the best, and look forward to more updates on the movie.
https://youtu.be/vH1AL0GMurY
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under MadhavanRocketry


Rajinikanth, Nayanthara, Mammooty & Tamannaah Join Millions of Indians Who Lit Up at 9pm Last Night

Millions of Indians turned off their lights and lit up balconies and doorsteps with lamps, candles and flashlights on Sunday, in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to “challenge the darkness” spread by the coronavirus crisis.
This included celebrities from all over the nation, who didn’t shy away from posting images of themselves lighting up on social media.
Modi, who imposed a three-week long nationwide lockdown on March 25, asked all citizens to turn out their lights for nine minutes at 9 p.m. local time on Sunday, and to display lamps and candles in a show of solidarity.
The Prime Minister individually thanked several citizens including celebrities for extending support to his call for a nine-minute lights out.

Thank you, @mammukka. A heartfelt call for unity and brotherhood like yours is what our nation needs in the fight against COVID-19. #9pm9minute https://t.co/hjGjAwPvsZ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 5, 2020

Other celebrities also showed their support by lighting a lamp as the clock turned 9.

View this post on Instagram

The Nation stands strong and together. This too shall pass.. WE will over come .
A post shared by  R. Madhavan (@actormaddy) on Apr 5, 2020 at 9:12am PDT

View this post on Instagram

#9baje9minute .. we did it.. Hope you did too. Sending everyone, love , light and gratitude. Thankyou @narendramodi ji for suggesting this gesture and lighting up our lives with positivity and strength 🇮🇳🙏🧿 We will overcome this…. Together🌈💪 #proudindian #grace #strength #positivity #together #everythingwillbealright #standtogether
A post shared by  Shilpa Shetty Kundra (@theshilpashetty) on Apr 5, 2020 at 9:05am PDT

In Tamil Nadu, people lit up the traditional ‘Kamakshi lamps’ and ‘Kuthuvilakku’, besides the earthen lamps.

View this post on Instagram

Let there be light ! Standing in solidarity, unity and brotherhood ! Together, we shall over come !
A post shared by  Dulquer Salmaan (@dqsalmaan) on Apr 5, 2020 at 8:51am PDT

The terraces of several buildings were lined up with endless rows of earthen lamps which was nothing short of a visual treat

The wound is the place where the light enters you 🌏
-Rumi
Lighting the feeling of hope, positivity and strength with my family. We are all in this together!
#IndiaFightsCorona #9pm9minutes #StayHomeStaySafe #Heal pic.twitter.com/xaJMIFBn2B
— Tamannaah Bhatia (@tamannaahspeaks) April 5, 2020

Also, Deputy Chief Minister K Pannerselvam, Tamil Nadu Ministers including S P Velumani and K Pandiarajan lit lamps in their respective residences here.

View this post on Instagram

So scientifically speaking … with so much of fire & light the atmospheric temperature would have increased by a few degrees and we would have successfully killed some members of the corona virus 🦠 family ! #IsThatAFact ??? 🤷♂🤷♂🤷♂🧐🧐🧐🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 #wikkiclicks📷 #nofilter #candles #candlelight #photography #photo #shotoniphone #nayanthara
A post shared by  Vignesh Shivan (@wikkiofficial) on Apr 5, 2020 at 9:24am PDT

Superstar Rajinikanth was among the celebrities who joined the symbolic event against the contagion and he held a candle in his Poes Garden residence.

#StayHomeStaySafe #Solidarity #Unity #IndiaFightsCoronavirus 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/4LSSsfpVFa
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) April 5, 2020

Others lit firecrackers, played musical instruments, and sang patriotic songs. Grid data showed India’s national power consumption plunging more than a quarter in a matter of minutes. The show of unity came as the total number of coronavirus cases in India increased to 3,577, while the death toll rose to 83.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  Rajinikanth's Video From The Sets of Lal Salaam Gets Viral
Filed Under covid-19dulquerlight the lampMadhavanmammootymodiNayantharaRajinikanthtammannah


Petta’s Malavika Mohanan Will Join The Second Schedule Of Vijay’s ‘Thalapathy64’!

The shooting of a crucial portion of Vijay’s untitled project which has Lokesh Kanagaraj at the helm kicked off at Delhi recently. The Bigil star was spotted sporting a checked shirt and jeans along with other junior artistes in the capital city a few days ago. There were also speculation about the team postponing the production owing to bad weather conditions.
Now, Petta’s Malavika Mohanan has joined the crew. This is the actress’ second schedule for the film.
She took to Twitter to announce the same. Malavika posted, “Hello Delhi! Back at shoot and starting my second schedule for #thalapathy64 today! Need all of your love.”

Hello Delhi! Back at shoot and starting my second schedule for #thalapathy64 today! 🎥 Need all of your love 🥰💕
— Malavika Mohanan (@MalavikaM_) November 6, 2019

Meanwhile, there are unconfirmed reports doing the rounds that Shanthnu Bhagyaraj and Antony Varghese will also be seen assaying negative roles. Vijay Sethupathi will play the chief antagonist in the movie which has Anirudh composing music, GK Vishnu handling cinematography and Ruben behind editing.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  The Ripple Effect 4.0 : Charity Movie Screening for Hospice Malaysia
Filed Under #metoomalavika mohananTamilthalapathy64


Teejay Of Asuran Fame Might Be Working With Vikram!

Actor Teejay, who played the roles of Dhanush’s elder son in Asuran directed by Vetrimaaran received good appreciation from the audience and critics for his performance.
Recently the actor posted a photo of him on his social media account, captioning it “I’ve Started working on the next Transformation Look. Very Excited to Board this Fabulous Team. 2 months of Continous Gym for an #ActionThriller Lets Get fit! #Style #Action #Movie #Actor #TeeJay #Shooting #December #ARRahman #music (sic)”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4z-8utl4tS/?utm_source=ig_embed
Following which speculations roes that is he being a part of Vikram’s next yet-untitled project with director Ajay Gnanamuthu. However, an official confirmation is still awaited.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2LptS2lxh_/

Currently dubbed as Vikram 58, the project marks the first-time collaboration of Vikram and Ajay, who is best known for helming Demonte Colony and last year’s Imaikka Nodigal starring Nayanthara.
Vikram might be seen playing a photographer in the film which will be an action-thriller. The project went on floors recently and the shooting is currently progressing in Chennai.
The film is bankrolled by 7 Screen Studio in association with Viacom 18 Studios the makers plan to release it in April 2020. Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman is composing music for this flick with Siva Kumar Vijayan cranking the camera.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. Related:  Dhruva Natchathiram Trailer May Release at Harris Jayaraj’s Concert in Malaysia
Filed Under TamilteejayVikramvikram58


Astro Creates More Diversified Content With Local Talents For Deepavali This Year!

Deepavali is here And we are all super excited to watch the programmes lined up on TV and the digital space such as You tube. It is also that ONE month where we experience an overload of Indian culture via entertainment and quintessential mouth watering culinary delights!
Astro has always curated content for us Malaysians in a way that we will be able to enjoy local and international content every year for Deepavali. This year, Astro has also decided to include Astro Ulagam in this wonderful celebration.
This Deepavali, brand-new local titles premiering on Astro Vaanavil (CH 201) and Astro Vinmeen HD (CH 231) include: Deepavali Anal Parakuthu, a cooking show featuring traditional and new Indian cuisine. Yazhi, a suspense thriller tele-movie featuring local artistes Kavitha Thiagarajan, Vinoshan and Nivatharan; Adavadi Deepavali, a comedy drama starring Bala Ganapathi William, Sangeetha Krishnasamy, Sasi Kumar and Arun.

Another show is Savalukku Ready Ah, a fun-filled game show that goes to the streets to challenge Malaysians; Pakka Local, a travel and food hunting show that guides audiences
on the best eateries across Malaysia; and, Yaar Ungga Kollywood King, featuring Kollywood artists and Malaysian fans.

Astro will also be featuring other popular films. Local movies such as Vedigunde Pasangge,
Azhagiyae Thee, Thirudathey Papa Thirudathey and Sattai; Lock-up Live Concert, a music
performance by Tamil band “Lock-up”; Love in 12 hours, a romantic Tamil short film directed by young director, Mathan, starring Mano, Deva, and Vidia; and, a special Deepavali episode of Rasikka Rusikka S5, where host, Balaganapathi William goes on a food hunt for the best banana leaf meal around Malaysia.
To add on to the festivities, NJOI Prepaid customers can enjoy RM5 off every purchase of Astro Thangathirai HD (CH 241) starting today until 20 November 2019 to enjoy movies such as action-thriller, Sindhubaadh; sports drama, Kanaa; romantic comedy, Sixer; comedy thriller, Kazhugu2; horror film, Lissa and more.
Murugiah Vellay, Senior Assistant Vice President, Indian Customer Business, Astro, said,
“Astro continues to champion local content and talents including the development of the Tamil language, arts and culture.”
Through these specially curated titles, aggregation of popular international titles, as well as digital content and promotions on RAAGA, Astro Ulagam, and Go Shop, we continue our commitment in providing the most compelling content choices to our
customers, he said.
Balaganapathi William, Director and Actor of Adavadi Deepavali, said,
“Astro is often a part of our Deepavali celebrations at home and I am excited about the opportunity to present to Malaysians, this new romantic-comedy TV drama, Adavadi Deepavali, which has a theme song of the same name gaining popularity on social media.”
He also mentioned that he is honored to have had the opportunity to work with talented local cast such as award-winning actress Sangeetha Krishnasamy, local comedians Sathya
and Sasi Kumar as well as the upcoming, young artistes such as Hema, Subashini and Arun.
Related:  Sivakami; The Teacher who Self Taught to Become a Tamil TeacherBala hopes that Malaysians enjoy these new diversified content and is looking forward to more opportunities to develop the Malaysian Indian film industry.
Sree Sonic, Host of Savalukku Ready Ah and Pakka Local, said,
“It’s a great opportunity to have two new shows out with Astro to grow and develop personally, as well as for other local talents for to shine”.
All Malaysians can visit Astro Ulagam, the largest Malaysian site dedicated
to the Indian speaking community and Indian-related content with 2 million followers, to catch its first ever 4-episode Deepavali exclusive mini web-series titled “Deepavali Then and Now” which brings to light the evolution of cultures within the Malaysian Indian community, particularly during Deepavali celebrations.
Astro Ulagam has also introduced a Deepavali song titled “Anbin Oli” composed by Astro Superstar 2018 contestant, Lachman Nagiah featuring local artists and Colors TV
hosts, in addition to over 20 articles and 40 Deepavali and cooking videos all available on
astroulagam.com.my/AnbinOli.
Customers can also enjoy a special Deepavali promotion on Go Shop for 10% off selected products until 31 October 2019, with a minimum spend of RM120. Products on offer include household and kitchen items such as luggage sets, handbags, blenders, pressure cookers, and many more.
Astro customers can catch Go Shop’s Live Show every day on Astro Vaanavil (CH201) at 12pm or 5.30pm, and every Thursday on Astro Vinmeen HD (CH231) at 4.30pm to learn more about these products.
You can find more information on the Go Shop promotion, visit goshop.com.my or download the Go Shop app.
For the radio broadcast, the RAAGA Kalakkal Kaalai team will also be spreading festive cheer as part of their “Deepavali Charity Drive” by delivering household items donated by listeners. All Malaysians can also enjoy the new RAAGA Deepavali song and music video, titled “Vanthachi Namakku Deepavali” featuring RAAGA announcers Suresh, Ahila, Revathy, Uthaya, Kogulan and more. The title is composed by local music director Jay.
For more information on Deepavali programmes and highlights, log on to www.astroulagam.com.my

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThVfbEZMVMQVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Astro Ulagam Anbin Oli Deepavali Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThVfbEZMVMQ)

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under anbin oliDeepavaliTamil


Malaysian Student Vishan Nair Makes Over 1000 Face Shields for Frontliners

Malaysian student Vishan Nair has been making personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period for the many frontliners in our country.
According to Metro, Vishan has been spending a great deal of time around the dining table with his family, but for very different reasons other than what might come to mind. This is where he creates face shields for healthcare workers using his own 3D printer.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Rld56hAm-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Vishan and his team of volunteers have successfully distributed over 1,000 face shields to more than 40 hospitals and health clinics all over Malaysia, including a medical centre in Wales, UK. His team has been receiving financial support from many Good Samaritans across the globe.
https://twitter.com/VishanNair/status/1248821526435999744?s=20
“We all work from our homes and it takes roughly 40 minutes to print each shield and another 20 to punch holes into the acetate sheets and assemble a finished product”, said Vishan. “Once the shields are ready, it will be delivered to the frontliners via Grab,”
The Masters in Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Sheffield also admits that the PPE production and distribution is a collaborative effort, as Malaysian volunteers have been sharing tips and advice on 3D prints in WhatsApp groups.
Last year, Vishan made headlines when he was part of a team that managed to beat the existing United Kingdom altitude record for amateur high power rockets. With his team, Vishan led rocket team Sheffield University Nova Rocket Innovation Design Engineering (SunrIde) in launching its “Helen” rocket at Spaceport America Cup, New Mexico.
Later that year, Vishan received an award from then Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Wan Azizah binti Wan Ismail for his achievements.
Thank you for doing what you can, Vishan!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Malaysian studentVishan Nair


Racism & Discrimination; A Closer Look In The Selection Process At Public Universities

In my previous article, I took us along through the Malaysian education system.
Let us look at the reality! Shall we?
Non-Bumiputera students experience discrimination and racism during their pathway to further their studies. This has given rise to demands for universities to fight against rising Sinophobia.
According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, out of 29.7 million people, the Bumiputera proportion expanded 0.3 percentage points to 69.6% in 2020, compared to 69.3% in 2019. And the Chinese ethnics share 22.6%, Indian ethnics share 6.8% while others remained at 1%.
Picture Credit: Department of Statistics Malaysia
The Ministry of Education (MoE) has declared that the 90:10 quota favoring Bumiputera students in the pre-university matriculation program will be retained amid persistent demands to do away with racial preferences in policy-making. This has given rise to demands for universities to fight against rising Sinophobia.
Consequently, most ethnic Chinese and Indians are confined to Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM), which lasts almost two years and is considered as more academically difficult because it is related to the local assessment syndicate of the University of Cambridge and comparable to the British A-levels.
Some Indian students were unable to get into their chosen courses with a perfect cumulative GPA. Some didn’t even get a placement at a public university.
Source: Makeameme
In 2013, various news reports highlighted a local political party stating that the higher education office said that 10 students had scored a perfect GPA but did not manage to get a placement for their preferred course.
The Indians attach immense significance to education and are still willing to make sacrifices for the sake of an education.
The Education Ministry received a total of 84,891 applications for MOE matriculations 2018/2019 session which includes 20,040 from non-Bumiputera students. However, 4,068 non-bumiputras were ultimately accepted in the end!
Picture Credit: Twitter
To add salt to the wound, Former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad was quoted as saying that:
“We agreed to hold matriculation classes because we found that Malays did not take the Higher School Certificate and could not reach university. So for them, we provided a back entrance. It was entirely meant for the Malays as a back entrance.
The pre-university admission route was formally planned for bumiputras and Dr. Mahathir’s remarks seemed to mean that only one group should gain from it.
Well, I would like to highlight that as for the Indian community, the T20 group stands at 19.98 %, led by the M40 wage earners at 41.31% and B40 38.71%. It’s too obvious that not all non-Bumiputeras are affluent and the quotas must also remain in place to allow the Bumiputera to compete on an even footing. If it was still justifiable in the first place, the quotas are no longer justifiable.
So, my question is how do the non-bumi’s from middle and lower income families send their children to private universities?
Picture Credit: Easyuni
Notwithstanding, the main concern here should be supporting and securing everyone’s access to higher education.
The system is usually seen as an easier channel for Bumiputeras to access public universities. Most non-Bumiputeras are disappointed with the public education system in the country, which tends to favour a certain race, limiting them of equal education opportunities.
The frustration is exacerbated by the fact that the Malaysian Higher School Certificate (STPM), the alternative to this pre-university course, takes longer to complete and is considered to be more difficult. This has contributed to a common perception over the years that non-bumiputras have to work much harder in comparison to Bumiputeras for the same access to a university.
Despite their despondency in the way the government handled their hard work and real needs, the students may have opted to remain in the country due to financial reasons or simply unable to get a scholarship to study abroad, but some who can afford it would not think twice nor hesitate on leaving the country to further their studies.
Picture Credit: Malaysiakini
It’s an ethical imperative for the government to take steps now to tackle this type of discrimination. Malaysia wants to look at these measures again, and now the government can make adjustments so that the right to education does not revolve around one’s race anymore. If action is not being taken soon, there is a possibility of worrying about their future amongst upcoming youngsters who have a bright future.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Chinese communityDepartment of Statistics MalaysiaDr Mahathir MohammadIndian CommunityNon-bumiputeraPublic universitiesRacism & Discrimination


Heartstrings Of #thaipusam2022 Pictures That Captivated Our Eyes

A picture is worth a thousand words – or so the saying goes.
The much-awaited Thaipusam festivities may have come to an end, but for us it’s not the end without curating a list of the talented photographers who captured the beautiful dazzling moments of celebrating the auspicious day.
A click of artistic joy!
With that, we have curated a list of the best Thaipusam pictures which were shot beautifully and captivated our hearts at first glance from the 16th till 18th of January in Varnam’s #thaipusamlens2022 compilation.
Sathish Kumar Krishna  –  skkcaptures

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝙎𝘼𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙎𝙃 𝙆𝙐𝙈𝘼𝙍 𝙆𝙍𝙄𝙎𝙃𝙉𝘼 (@sathishk10)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝙎𝙆𝙆 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨 (@skkcaptures)

Patrick Raj – patrickrajjj

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Patrick Raj (@patrickrajjj)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Patrick Raj (@patrickrajjj)

Alex Raj Clicks – alexk_visiongraphie

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alex Raj Clicks (@alexk_visiongraphie)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alex Raj Clicks (@alexk_visiongraphie)

Arun Alagusunthram – arun_alagusunthram

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Arun Alagusunthram | MY 🇲🇾 (@arun_alagusunthram)

Dinnesh Roy – dinneshroy

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DinneshRoy  (@dinneshroy)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DinneshRoy  (@dinneshroy)

Maduran Raj & Tarshan.S – maduranraj & tarshan.s
https://www.instagram.com/p/CY31J20FY-q/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
𝗧𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗱 Photography – tianchad

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TianChad #田七摄影 | Portrait Photographer KL🇲🇾📸 (@tianchad)

Kishyen Rao – kishyenrao

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝙰𝚁𝚁_𝙺𝙸𝚂𝙷𝚈𝙴𝙽𝚁𝙰𝙾 (@kishyenrao)

KG.IG – kg___ig

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by kg.ig (@kg___ig)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by kg.ig (@kg___ig)

S H S E N D R A N.G – shsendran_george

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by S H S E N D R A N.G (@shsendran_shasi)

Deejay Raj – rajphotographylangkawi

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sivaraj Nithiananthan (@rajphotographylangkawi)

Siva Kumar – siva_wwc

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Siva Kumar (Sk) (@siva_wwc)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Siva Kumar (Sk) (@siva_wwc)

T I N E I S K U M A R – tineiskumar

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tineis Kumar (@tineiskumar)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tineis Kumar (@tineiskumar)

Govind Raj – i.am.govind

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 🄶🄾🅅🄸🄽🄳 🅁🄰🄹 (@i.am.govind)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 🄶🄾🅅🄸🄽🄳 🅁🄰🄹 (@i.am.govind)

Siva – siva_s16

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SIVA – 16/7 (@siva_s16)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SIVA – 16/7 (@siva_s16)

Darvin Shinoda Rao – darvinshinoda_rao

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Darvin Ganesan (@darvin_ganesan)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Darvin Ganesan (@darvin_ganesan)

Lingesh R – linguini_93

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lingesh R (@linguini_93)

Gobeegraphy – gobeegraphy_studios

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gobeegraphy கோபீக்ராபி गोबिग्राफी ഗോബിഗ്രാഫ്യ് గోబీగ్రఫీ (@gobeegraphy_studios)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gobeegraphy கோபீக்ராபி गोबिग्राफी ഗോബിഗ്രാഫ്യ് గోబీగ్రఫీ (@gobeegraphy_studios)

V I C K Y V I G H N E S H – hollaclicks31

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by V 🐘 (@hollaclicks)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by V 🐘 (@hollaclicks)

One Click – _oneclickwonders_

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝑂𝑛𝑒 𝐶𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑘 📸✨🌸 (@_oneclickwonders_)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝑂𝑛𝑒 𝐶𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑘 📸✨🌸 (@_oneclickwonders_)

Loshneganesan’s – loshneganesanshots

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by loshneganesan’s (@loshneganesanshots)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by loshneganesan’s (@loshneganesanshots)

Deejay Gobu – deejay_gobu
https://www.instagram.com/p/CY0pULjFK9_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/p/CY0G3yYFpki/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Varnam team extends our heartfelt gratitude to the photographers who have shown us their continuous support by tagging us in their pictures.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
Filed Under Alex Raj ClicksArun AlagusunthramDarvin Shinoda RaoDeejay RajDinnesh RoyGovind RajKG.IGKishyen RaoLingesh RPatrick RajpicturesS H S E N D R A N .GSathish Kumar KrishnasivaSkkcapturesT I N E I S K U M A RThaipusam 2022𝗧𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗱 Photography