My amma's great concert tour to Mauritius.

Thanks to Mr Kumar who had the camera with him during my amma's Mauritius Concert tour from Jan 19 - Feb 01'10. It is indeed a collection of good photos and kudos to whoever has taken them. I am sure you all will also like these photos.

My photos during the Mauritius Concert tour from 19th - 1st Feb10 with my fatheer Sangeetha Bhushanam Embar Sri S. Sadagopan, Sri Muthukumar - Singer (younger in age), Sri Kumar Singer with beard, Sri Pradeep - Tabla Artiste & Sri Prassana - Keyboard Artiste. Photos taken during our various concerts at temple and the places we had visited in Mauritius. We sincerely thank Tamil Cultural Center for the excellent arrangements and in particular, Sri. Gopal our Sarathy( driver) during our stay and Mrs & Mr Veeran for all the help extended. Looking forward to go back soon!

அண்ணாகண்ணனுக்குப் பாரதிதாசன் விருது

I am happy to share this good news thaqt one of my well wisher and a good media person has been honoured by a trust in Malaysia. We as family wish him all the very best and for more info please log on to the link http://annakannan.blogspot.com/2010/02/blog-post.html and to follow his blog in good Thamizh log on to http://annakannan.blogspot.com/

A great News -  Uncle Dr. TP Naidoo Indian Academy, SA being Honoured by Indian Government

I sincerely owe my life to Indian Academy, South Africa as it was  under this academy who identified me in 2003 Smt. Vasantha Naidoo through Mr Paneerselvam uncle - my well wisher  and offered me a concert tour to South Africa & Mauritius when i was just 8 years old!

Today i am really proud to inform that Dr. T. P. Naidoo uncle - Founder / Director of Indian Acadmey, Durban, South Africa was presented with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in New Delhi in Jan 2010. I just got the news and here is the details as received from SA:

SA Cultural Icon Honoured in India

SA’s top Indian cultural icon and founder/director, Indian Academy of SA, Dr TP Naidoo was presented with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in New Delhi in Jan 2010. The Samman Award is the highest accolade and Indian can receive. It is presented to Indians who have made a distinguished contribution to the image and promotion of Indian values in the Indian Diaspora. Presently there are 26million Indians living outside India in some 122 countries. The award was presented to 14 outstanding luminaries form the Indian Diaspora. The moving ceremony was presented at the culmination of the 8^th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference presented in New Delhi on 7-9 Jan 20010 under the auspices of the Union Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. The award is the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians. It is conferred on a non resident Indian, persons of Indian origin or persons of Indian origin who has made a significant contribution towards better understanding abroad of India and support to India’s causes and concerns in a tangible way, significant contribution for the welfare of Diaspora, notable contribution in philanthropic and charitable work and for social and humanitarian causes in India and abroad, significant contribution in building closer links between India and its Diaspora in the economic, cultural and scientific fields, eminence in one’s field for outstanding work which has enhanced India’s prestige in the country of resident or has achieved outstanding eminence in his skills which has enhanced India’s prestige in that country (for non professional workers).

This year there were 14 recipients:

1. Mr Mohinder Singh Bhullar – Brunei Darussalam
2. Mr Yanktesh Permal Reddy – Fiji
3. Mr Ryuko Hira – Japan
4. Dr Ruby Umesh Pawankar (Mrs) – Japan
5. Mr Suresh Kumar Virmani – Oman & UAE
6. Mr Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan – South Africa
7. Dr Tholisiah Perumal Naidoo – South Africa
8. Dr Rajni Kanabar – Tanzania
9. Mr Deepak Mittal – Thailand
10. Dr Lenny Krishendath Saith – Trinidad & Tobago
11. Dr Azad Moopen – GCC countries & India
12. Dr Mani Lal Bhaumik – New York
13. Mr Asok Kumar Mago – Dallas
14. Mr Upendra J Chivakula – New Jersey

Nithia Naidoo of the Rising Sun who covered the event took the pictures in this feature. The conference was attended by a large contingent of S. Africans including Mr Pravin Gordhan, minister of finance SA Govt.

In an interview Dr TP Naidoo said “The presentation of the Award was truly a breath taking event. Some 4000 guests backed the huge auditorium including 1500 delegates from 122 countries, chief ministers and ministers in foreign governments of Indian origin who took part in the conference were present to watch the presentation. The conference was inaugurated by Mr Manmohan Singh, Prime minister of India on 8^th January 2010 and Lord Khalid Hameed of England, CBE was the chief guest. Hon'ble President Smt Prathiba Patil, President of India delivered the address and presented the awards on 9^th Jan 2010. “It was an awe inspiring experience to receive this award from the head of the largest democracy in the world. The award is held in great esteem and wherever I went after receiving the award people treated me with dignity and congratulated me. The media had splashed the news overall major networks on radio and TV. I dedicate this award to the South African Indian community who despite tremendous trials and tribulations continued to triumph against all odds to hold their own on the world stage.”

Congratulations uncle and my sincere pranams to you and your entire team. I along with my parents pray the Almighty to give you 100 yeasrs of more years to continue your great service. 

Amma had a great concert tour of Mauritius and will detail it little later.