Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], December 31 (ANI): People paid their last respects to DMDK chief Vijayakanth at the Koyambedu DMDK office in Chennai on December 29.
On Saturday, Vijayakanth’s son Shanmuga Pandian took to Instagram stories to thank all the people for paying their last respects to his father and being a support in large numbers.
He wrote, “Thank you all for extending your heartfelt condolences. And to the thousands and lakhs of people who showed up to pay their respects standing on roads and bridges, your support shows us the kind of legacy our dad has left behind. The kind of life he has lived and the love he has earned. All your support provides solace to our family as we come to terms with this loss. Rest in peace Dad and our captain.”He posted a photo of his father strolling through the crowd.
Notably, on December 29, thousands of fans and supporters of Vijayakanth poured into the Island Ground and DMDK offices to pay last respects to their beloved Captain Vijayakanth.
Later, the DMDK chief and veteran actor Vijayakanth was laid to rest with full state honours following rituals this evening in the Desiya Murpoku Dravida Kahzgam (DMDK) office at Koyambedu in Tamil Nadu’s Chennai.
Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin, Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundarajan and other senior ministers participated in the last rites of Vijayakanth at the DMDK office. A procession was carried from the island grounds to the Koyambedu DMDK Office. People were queued up at Poonamalle Road on both sides and poured their love with tears to Vijayakanth.
Seeing the crowd and love towards Vijayakanth, his wife Premalatha Vijayakanth and his two sons, who were in a procession vehicle, broke down. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, Tamil Nadu Ministers Udhayanidhi Stalin, M Subramanian, Thamo Anbarasan, BJP State President Annamalai, Makkal Needhi Maiyam Chief and Actor Kamal Hassan, Actor Rajinikanth and many others paid their tribute to Vijayakanth in Island Ground, where his mortal remains were kept for homage.
Personalities shared their condolences with Vijayakanth’s wife and DMDK General Secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth, his brother-in-law Sudheesh and his two sons, Vijay Prabhakaran and Shanmuga Pandiyan.
Supporters stood in a long queue on December 28 early in the morning and paid their respects at Island Ground, Anna Salai, Chennai. Later, Vijayakanth’s mortal remains were taken in a procession from Island Ground to the DMDK office.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, Minister M Subramanian, Thangam Thennarasu, Thamo Anbarasan, K N Nehru, Udhayanidhi Stalin, MP T R Baalu, Telangana Governor, Pondicherry lieutenant Tamilisai Soundarajan, former Chief Minister O Pannerselvam, and former AIADMK Minster Jayakumar participated in the final rights at DMDK Office.
With full state honours, Vijayakanth was laid to rest in their party office. Rituals were also part of Vijayakanth’s final rites. Vijayakanth died on December 28 at 5.30 am due to COVID and prolonged illness. On December 28, Vijayakanth’s mortal remains were taken to his home, where Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin paid tribute to him.
Later in the DMDK Office, Telangana Governor and Pondicherry Lieutenant Tamilisai Soundarajan, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami, expelled AIADMK Leader Sasikala, BJP State President Annamalai, actor Vijay, director Vetrimaran, director Lokesh Kanagaraj and various politicians and film personalities paid their homage.
Vijayakanth has acted in more than 150 films and is known for action movies. As Nadigar Sangam’s President, President Vijayakanth has helped cinema artists.
Vijayakanth founded his party in 2005 called ‘Desiya Murpoku Dravida Kazhgam’.In the 2011 State Elections, Vijayakanth DMDK won 26 seats out of 41 contested seats and became the principal opposition party. (ANI)
Dubai’s Miracle Garden has reopened for its 15th season as temperatures begin to fall across the UAE. The popular attraction in Al Barsha South welcomed visitors on Thursday, 8 October, with the new season being launched under the theme “Fifteen Years, Blooming Together”.
Sheikh Theyab bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, chairman of Miracle Group, inaugurated the new season. The garden will remain open until 31 May 2027, with a programme of weekly themes and events planned around the UAE’s cultural and national calendar.
Visitors will see activities linked to occasions including Pink October, United Nations Day, UAE Flag Day and Diwali. The programme will also include live music, family entertainment and fitness activities held as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.
Events are also planned for Commemoration Day and Eid Al Etihad.
“For fifteen seasons, Dubai Miracle Garden has grown alongside Dubai and its people,” Sheikh Theyab said. “This season is dedicated to the community that made it possible, particularly the families and residents who return year after year.”
Mohammed Zaher Hammadih, group chief executive of Miracle Group, said the weekly programme was intended to encourage visitors to return throughout the season.
“As we mark our 15th season, Dubai Miracle Garden continues to bring people together through shared experiences,” he said. “Our weekly programme gives families a new reason to return, with cultural celebrations, live entertainment and activities to enjoy throughout the season.”
The garden features more than 150 varieties of flowers and is known for its large-scale floral displays, some of which have previously set Guinness World Records.
Since opening in 2013, it has attracted millions of visitors and become one of Dubai’s established family attractions.The garden is open daily from 9am to 9pm on weekdays and from 9am to 11pm at weekends.
Tickets start at Dh105 for adults and Dh84 for children. Children under three can enter free of charge.
Emirates Dubai 7s is returning to The Sevens Stadium from November 27 to 29, with tickets now on sale for the three-day sports and entertainment festival.
The 2026 edition will bring together international rugby, amateur sports, live music and family entertainment, with organisers promising a bigger programme than previous years.
The festival attracted more than 88,000 visitors in 2025 and will again take place during the final weekend of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.
Ticket prices
Ticket prices for General Admission and Hospitality have stayed the same for a third consecutive year.
Three-day General Admission tickets cost Dh595 per person, while the three-day Family Pass is Dh1,136 for two adults and two children.
Other ticket options
Group pass: Dh446 per person for four or more adults
Saturday or Sunday: Dh455
Friday: Dh75
Under 15s: Free
People of Determination + carer: Dh375
Tickets can be purchased through the Emirates Dubai 7s website and app.
Bigger family attractions
Family entertainment will get a major boost this year as the UAE celebrates the Year of the Family.
The festival will feature its biggest-ever Kids’ Zone, including the UAE’s largest inflatable kids’ zone, along with a Ferris wheel and zipline. More attractions are expected to be announced ahead of the event.
Six sports and top rugby action
Alongside elite rugby, visitors can watch or take part in competitions across six sports — rugby, netball, cricket, WODON3 fitness, Rebound padel and Gaelic Football.
Gaelic Football will join the festival for the first time in 2026.
The Sevens Stadium will also host the opening round of the HSBC SVNS Series 2027, bringing the world’s leading rugby sevens players to Dubai.
The WODON3 Elite final will take place on Pitch 1 between HSBC SVNS matches, with competitors potentially performing in front of crowds of up to 20,000.
Music all weekend
Live entertainment will run throughout the festival, with local and international artists performing across three days.
Last year’s line-up included Tinie Tempah, Sean Paul and Fisher, while the 2026 headline acts will be announced later.
For a premium experience, The Sunroom returns with all-inclusive food and drinks, shaded seating, prime sporting views and dedicated access. Packages start from Dh1,925 per person.
With sport, music and family attractions packed into one weekend, Emirates Dubai 7s is gearing up for another big Dubai event.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, has approved the launch of Dubai+, a new family-oriented digital media platform, reinforcing Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for digital media and the creative economy.
The approval came as Sheikh Ahmed chaired the Dubai Media Council’s first meeting of 2026 at Dubai Media, where members reviewed sector strategies and plans to strengthen content creation, innovation and local production capabilities.
What is Dubai+?
Dubai+ will offer a wide range of family-friendly content, bringing together:
Local and Emirati productions
Arab series and films
International entertainment
The platform reflects Dubai Media’s integrated digital ecosystem strategy, responding to shifting viewer habits and the growing demand for high-quality, on-demand digital content.
“We believe media is a strategic force that shapes awareness, supports development and builds trust,” Sheikh Ahmed said.
Boosting Local Film and Content Production
The Council also reviewed plans to:
Enhance local production capabilities
Support cinema as a cultural and creative industry
Invest in programmes that drive creative and economic growth
Samr Al Marzooqi, Director of Films and Production at the Dubai Media Council, outlined upcoming initiatives aimed at showcasing Emirati and international talent while strengthening Dubai’s film sector.
Next Phase of Growth
Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, said the next phase will focus on monitoring implementation and ensuring measurable outcomes across the sector.
Secretary General Nehal Badri added that priorities include encouraging private sector participation, accelerating content development, and investing in talent, advanced production technologies and future-ready capabilities.