Latest news with #Manoharan
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
VMY2026: Tourism Malaysia backs 'Worth The Wait' to boost country's global appeal
VMY2026: Tourism Malaysia backs 'Worth The Wait' to boost country's global appeal Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism Malaysia is stepping up efforts to promote the country by leveraging the global reach of international films, in preparation for Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026. The latest initiative is through the film 'Worth The Wait', a collaborative project between the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) and King Street Pictures, an international production company. Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Manoharan Periasamy said film is a powerful medium for showcasing Malaysia's beauty to global audiences, and the ministry fully supports foreign production companies that choose the country as a filming location. "One of our key objectives is to promote Malaysia through cinema. We strongly encourage more international film companies to select Malaysia as their filming destination," he said at the premiere of Worth The Wait today. He said Tourism Malaysia is actively involved in promotional efforts, positioning Malaysia as a filming destination and leveraging the film's cast and producers as ambassadors for the VMY2026 campaign on social media platforms. Manoharan said the film's cast, predominantly of Asian descent, with millions of followers on digital platforms, can significantly boost Malaysia's appeal among international travellers. In addition to the collaboration with Worth The Wait producers, he said the ministry and Finas are also actively engaging with more international production companies. He noted that film-based promotion offers broad and rapid reach, as movies today are distributed not only in cinemas but also via online streaming platforms. He said this collaboration presents a win-win opportunity for the ministry, government agencies and international filmmakers in promoting and showcasing Malaysia's unique attractions. During the screening, producer Rachel Tan shared that the film is loosely inspired by her personal love story, which began as a long-distance relationship between Malaysia and the United States. "Worth The Wait is not just entertainment, but also a reflection of love, faith and hope. Dan Mark (producer) and I wanted to create something that celebrates our Asian identity while speaking to audiences around the world. "The response so far has been incredibly encouraging," said the former Miss Malaysia. Partially filmed at various locations across Malaysia, Worth The Wait reflects ongoing efforts to promote Asian representation in North America while also showcasing Malaysia's diverse natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage and renowned hospitality, qualities that continue to position the country as a world-class travel destination. Produced by King Street Pictures, the film is scheduled for theatrical release in Malaysia this August, with distribution by Astro Shaw. Directed by Tom Shu-Yu Lin, the film features a star-studded cast including Ross Butler, Lana Condor, Andrew Koji, Sung Kang, Elodie Yung and Golden Horse Award-winning actress Karena Lam, acclaimed across Hong Kong and Taiwan, alongside Malaysia's own Kheng Hua Tan. The film marks a significant milestone for Malaysian cinema, standing as one of the few romantic dramas to achieve both international theatrical and streaming success. It has already gained popularity as a streaming original in Hollywood, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, and is set to premiere in cinemas across Singapore and the rest of Southeast Asia. – Bernama
The Hindu
19-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Hockey India and TN government sign MoU, unveil official logo of FIH Men's Junior World Cup 2025
Hockey India and the Government of Tamil Nadu on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and unveiled the official logo for the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2025 to be held in the State. The 14th edition of the international hockey tournament will be held in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10 and will see the number of participating teams rise from 16 to 24. Each city will host 12 teams during the initial phase of the tournament before the bandwagon shifts to the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in the capital for the semifinal and the final. Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister, Udhayinidhi Stalin, announced that the State government has sanctioned Rs. 65 crore for the conduct of the tournament. 'Chennai and Madurai will be the proud hosts for this grand event, showcasing our hockey legacy and rich infrastructure. Tamil Nadu has a proven track record of hosting major hockey events, dating back to the first edition of the Men's Champions Trophy in 1996,' the Deputy Chief Minister said. 'The sanctioned amount will be spent not only for the event but also for infrastructure development, including a new world-class synthetic turf in Madurai,' he added. 'Hosting back-to-back high-profile hockey events [Asian Champions Trophy in 2023 and the Junior World Cup in 2025] is a testament to the excellence in hosting and the support provided by the Tamil Nadu State government,' Hockey India Secretary General, Bhola Nath Singh, said. Hockey India Treasurer, Sekar J. Manoharan, lauded the decision to host the event in Madurai, providing people from the southern parts of the State an opportunity to witness top-class hockey in their backyard. 'The southern zone in Tamil Nadu is a hockey hub. Building a stadium there and hosting an event will be a huge success. The decision to build a viewing gallery along with the new pitch in Madurai will allow many people to come and watch the games and get inspired,' said Manoharan, the President of the Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu. 'Our junior team has been doing well, and we hope to see the side finish on the podium in front of the home crowd,' he added. Manoharan also confirmed that all the clearances have been sought from the central government to allow Pakistan, which qualified for the tournament after finishing runner-up in the 2024 Junior Asia Cup, to participate in the under-21 event.
New Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Kerala: Even six years after getting titles, tribals of Nelliyampathy denied right to pay land tax
NELLIYAMPATHY (PALAKKAD): 'How can a government give us titles and then deny us the right to prove we own the land?' asks Manoharan, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and heartbreak. A member of the Malasar tribe in Nelliyampathy residing in the Bhagavathi Mooppan Tribal Colony, Manoharan is among 127 tribal families caught in a cruel paradox - granted land titles after a 16-year-long struggle, yet they are being denied the basic right to pay tax in their own names. The land ownership titles, or pattayas, were distributed in 2018 to 127 tribal families from the Malasar and Irular communities during a highly publicised government function in Palakkad by the then government. The gesture was seen as a long-overdue acknowledgement of their fight for land, which began in 2002 - a few weeks ahead of the well-known Muthanga land agitation. 'It took 16 long years for the authorities to finally allot one acre each to 127 families,' 52-year-old Manoharan told TNIE. 'Today, 186 families are living on the land, which was once part of the state-run Nelliyampathy Orange Farm. But even now, we can't pay land tax in our names. What kind of ownership is this?' The problem, according to officials, lies in the fact that the allotted land was originally classified as a forest village. The subdivision records necessary to complete the transfer of ownership are still being prepared. As a result, local village offices have refused to process tax payments, citing jurisdictional limitations under the forest department. 'This is not just about land tax. It's about dignity, recognition, and the right to live without fear of eviction,' said V S Prasad, a local political leader who has been supporting the tribal community's demands. 'Without proper documents and recognition, these families remain vulnerable, despite the pattayas in their hands.'
New Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Tribal families in Kerala's Nelliyampathy still denied land tax rights six years after getting pattayas
NELLIYAMPATHY (PALAKKAD): 'How can a government give us titles and then deny us the right to prove we own the land?' asks Manoharan, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and heartbreak. A member of the Malasar tribe in Nelliyampathy residing in the Bhagavathi Mooppan Tribal Colony, Manoharan is among 127 tribal families caught in a cruel paradox - granted land titles after a 16-year-long struggle, yet they are being denied the basic right to pay tax in their own names. The land ownership titles, or pattayas, were distributed in 2018 to 127 tribal families from the Malasar and Irular communities during a highly publicised government function in Palakkad by the then government. The gesture was seen as a long-overdue acknowledgement of their fight for land, which began in 2002 - a few weeks ahead of the well-known Muthanga land agitation. 'It took 16 long years for the authorities to finally allot one acre each to 127 families,' 52-year-old Manoharan told TNIE. 'Today, 186 families are living on the land, which was once part of the state-run Nelliyampathy Orange Farm. But even now, we can't pay land tax in our names. What kind of ownership is this?' The problem, according to officials, lies in the fact that the allotted land was originally classified as a forest village. The subdivision records necessary to complete the transfer of ownership are still being prepared. As a result, local village offices have refused to process tax payments, citing jurisdictional limitations under the forest department. 'This is not just about land tax. It's about dignity, recognition, and the right to live without fear of eviction,' said V S Prasad, a local political leader who has been supporting the tribal community's demands. 'Without proper documents and recognition, these families remain vulnerable, despite the pattayas in their hands.'
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Time of India
Man dies after falling from tree
T'puram: A 60-year-old man, who suffered a severe head injury after falling from a tree, died on Tuesday at medical college hospital. The deceased has been identified as Manoharan of Kachani . The incident occurred on May 5 when he accidentally fell while cutting a tree on the premises of a house at Charachira. Despite being rushed to MCH, he succumbed to multiple fractures and a severe head injury at 1am on Tuesday in the ortho ICU. Museum police registered a case under BNSS Section 194. Following postmortem, the body was released to family members. 2 held with 25g ganja: Two West Bengal natives were arrested with 25g of ganja and 0.23g of brown sugar from Chala market on Monday. The arrested persons were identified as Bikram Mandal, 32 and Sukumar Mandal, 25, both of Malda. During a regular patrol near Chala, police found the duo in a suspicious situation and during examination, the drug was seized from them. The accused brought the drugs from Orissa for sale here, police said. Ganja was packed in 12 covers and brown sugar in seven packets. Fort police have registered a case. TNN
