When I received the invitation for the Silver Jubliee celebration of the Ladies Special magazine I was a little worried looking at the long programme. I need not have because Girija Raghavan the founder and dynamic editor of the magazine, considered as the `one woman army` by people who know her, had ensured that there was not even single boring moment. With help of an army of volunteers consisting of her supporters and well wishers the mega celebration was conducted in grand style befitting the occasion. Graced by some big names in the creative world as guests of honour, like Sivasankari the eminent writer, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Sudha Ragunathan who was featured in the cover of the first issue of the magazine 25 years ago, Narthaki Nataraj, Bharatha natyam exponent ( a Padma Shri Awardee) and JB brothers- Dr.J.Bhaskaran the rising star in the world of Tamil literature and his elder brother Kalaimamani J.Balasubramanian, the well known philanthropist.
Girija couldn`t have got a better chief guest than Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, Governor of Telengana and Lt.Governor of Puducherry. She stole the show with her brilliant speech laced with humour emphasizing the growing importance of women in society who still have to struggle very hard fighting the inimical forces working against them. Earlier a collection of short stories of Girija Raghavaan titled `Rowdhiram Pazhagu` was released by the chief guest and received by all the guests of honour, all articulate speakers, who felicitated Girija for her stupendous achievements.
The Villu Pattu programme preceding the main event presented by Mrs Bharati Thirumahan, the daughter of the legendary Villuppattu artist `Subbu Arumugam` proved that the she is truly a chip of the old block. It was a good idea to present the story of `Vizha Nayagi` ( heroine) Girija Raghavan through the Villuppattu. I enjoyed the programme.
During the course of the entertainment programme the winners of the Shree Sakthi and Yuva Sakthi awards, present in the audience were given special mementoes by Girija Raghavan. The month long online programme was conducted in March 2020 and 2021 by Ladies Special magazine in association with Rotary and Inner Wheel.
I congratulate Girija for masterminding an excellent programme and her Team for delivering the same with clock work precision. Pray god to bestow good health on her so that she continues to delight the legion of her fans, friends and well wishers.
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