News Headline
TLC to launch new series ‘Meet South Africa with Jonty Rhodes’
MUMBAI: TLC is all set to launch a South African sojourn with legendary cricketer Jonty Rhodes. In Meet South Africa with Jonty Rhodes, the former South African cricketer will take four lucky Indians on a trip of their lifetime as they visit South Africa’s most famous destinations.
Meet South Africa with Jonty Rhodes will premiere on 9 May and will air every Saturday at 10 pm on TLC. The new series will present South Africa’s magnificence and adventure spirit in a captivating narrative by Rhodes. From sight-seeing and adventure sports to encounters with great white sharks and the ‘Big 5’, Rhodes will give the four Indians a complete South African experience.
Discovery Networks Asia Pacific executive vice president and general manager, South Asia and Southeast Asia Rahul Johri said, “TLC continues to raise the bar of lifestyle programming by anticipating trends and presenting refreshing content that delivers unmatched experience. From an athletic cricketer, Jonty Rhodes transitions into his new role of hosting Meet South Africa with Jonty Rhodes that brings the best that South Africa has to offer to the Indian viewers.”
In the first part of the journey, Rhodes will take the group to Cape Town, Africa’s most visited city with a cosmopolitan vibe. In Cape Town, the group will try their hand at sand-boarding, visit the Table mountain, taste wine in the Stellenbosch wine region and come face to face with the great white shark. Then, they will move on to Johannesburg where they will visit one of the earliest gold mines, go quad-biking and visit the Kruger National Park to spot the ‘Big 5’ of the animal kingdom.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
