The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Vikram sings, dances and sends out a message to children

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jul 08, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Vikram sings, dances and sends out a message to children

Meera Srinivasan

Gives away awards to groups involved in road safety awareness campaigns

— Photo: K. Pichumani

On demand: Actor Vikram responds to a request from a child at the ‘Come On Kids’ event in the city on Saturday.

Chennai: It seemed like actor Vikram already knew all the children gathered at the Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam, for they bonded instantly.

As little ones called out ‘Chiyan,’ ‘Vikram uncle’ and ‘Remo,’ the actor reciprocated with bright smiles and flying kisses.

The actor and State Transport Minister K.N. Nehru were the chief guests at the ‘Come on kids ‘07’ event to give away awards to groups that were involved in road safety awareness campaigns as part of the event. During the past couple of weeks several groups of volunteers went to city schools to put up short performances that highlighted road safety.

Mr. Nehru said Tamil Nadu was second only to Maharashtra when it came to the number of vehicles on road. Awareness of road safety was very important as it helped prevent accidents. He urged parents to educate their children about being safe on roads.

Actor Vikram obliged to all the requests that came from his young fans. “Please sing a song uncle,” said one. Pat came “Punniyam thedi kasikku povar …,” a song from the actor’s much-acclaimed film ‘Kasi’. “Could you dance for us... just two steps… please …,” pleaded another. “Here you go… one, two,” the actor said, playfully tapping his feet on stage. “Speak like Remo ...,” said another child and he heard Remo (from the film ‘Anniyan’) for the next couple of minutes.

The actor then got serious and told the children that it was vital to follow traffic rules. “Please follow signals and you will be safe,” he said. Besides being well-educated it was important to be of help to the lesser privileged sections of society, he told students.

Actor Ranjitha, Shriram Life Managing Director, Akhila Srinivasan, and Goodwill Communications Managing Director Fr. Jegath Gaspar Raj were present.

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