State Media Award for Priya

Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar

The State media award was presented to Priya Alalasundaram in recognition and appreciation of exceptional talent in the presentation in Tamil News in the Shakthi Television (News 1st) at a felicitation ceremony held at BMICH recently.

The First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa was the chief guest while the Minister of Cultural and Aesthetic Affairs T B Ekanayake , Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Douglas Devananda, Member of Parliament A H M Azwer and several other Ministers and Members of Parliament participated at this glorious function.

Priya Alalasundaram

Priya Alalasundaram hails from a respectable and illustrious family from Madduvil North, (Near Amman Temple) Chavakachcheri. She received her primary education at Chandra Mouleesa Vidyalayam at Madduvil North and got through her 5th standard scholarship examination obtained high marks and joined Chavakachcheri Hindu College. On completion of her education she came to Colombo and joint to Hindu Ladies College, Colombo 6 (Saiva Mangayar Vidyalayam).

As the student at this college she excellent well in General Certificate of Education (GCE O/L) and Advanced Level Examinations. Thereafter she joined the Royal Institute for her London GCE (Advanced Level).

On completion of her educational career at the Royal Institute, she proceeded to India and obtained a Degree in Journalism from Madras Christian College which is affiliated to the University of Madras. Thereafter, she obtained her Master's Degree (MA). After obtaining her Bachelor and Master Degrees she worked at Polimer TV India (Chennai) for nearly six months. Priya is of the opinion that communication is very much linked in the lives of people of a country to the extent that they cannot survive without it. Hence, Television personalities can be considered as the forerunners of a nation providing precise awareness and truthful information in a short period of time.

When I asked her what ingredients make up a good announcer, she told me that some voice training, voice protection, confidence and of course some minimum degree of familiarity with the subject are absolutely necessary. Perhaps some are born with it and some acquire it. Either way, hard work must be necessary companion of anyone's progress to the top or his/her profession. In fact, Priya Alalasundaram is an exceptional personality as she did not even come from a background where entertainment in any form was anyone's principal or occupation. She herself did not envision a career as an announcer. She certainly did not prepare for what she eventually look as a career.

She told that Sakthi TV has already completed more than fourteen years and it keeps on expanding, producing, telecasting several programmes on high standard. Indeed Priya Alalasundaram is one of the most remarkable personalities in the Tamil unit who is being held in high esteem by the people of all communities irrespective of race and religion on account of her human qualities, simplicity, humility and humanity.

Though, she joined Sakthi TV in 2010 as a Executive Producer/News Reader her services were immensely appreciated and duly recognized by the listeners for her excellent presentation. Further, she said that her parents are very understanding and renders all the necessary assistance, cooperation and support in her profession as well as in her studies particularly in the accountancy field. Understanding and trust are extremely essential in any family. As far as she is concerned, her mother in particular has a broad outlook and she always helps people in very possible way, she said.

Furthermore, she said that the entire staff in the Sakthi TV are very helpful and render their moral support whenever she needs. She paid a glowing tribute to the Managing Director of Maharajah Organization Raja Mahendran for the continued support and cooperation in her profession ever since she joined this prestigious organization.