Veerasangili Kannaiah Thanabalan, commonly known as V.K.T. Balan, was an Indian travel agent and media figure in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Biography V.K. Thanabalan was born in Thiruchendur, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. He travelled to Chennai in 1981 and lived homeless at Chennai Egmore railway station. He made money by standing in the queue for people waiting at the American Embassy for visas, charging a few rupees a time to reserve a place for customers. He made acquaintances with people in the travel industry and opened his own travel agency in 1986.
The Government of Tamil Nadu conferred Balan with the "Kalaimamani" award, which was presented to him by Tamil Nadu Governor Fathima Beevi. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi presented the shawl and gave him the "Thanga Pathakam" (Gold Award). Balan launched Tamil Nadu's first internet radio channel, World Tamil News, in 2001.
Balan died in Chennai on 11 November 2024, at the age of 70.
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External links ABOUT V.K.T. Balan