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Bengali television channels celebrate Poila Baisakh
KOLKATA: Poila Baisakh (the first day of Bengali Baisakh month) is exclusively a Bengali occasion and it’s no wonder then that various Bengali channels have come up with plans to make it a wonderful beginning with Bengali theme as the main attraction.
Over the years, most of the channels have either looked to launch new reality shows or soap operas or in other cases boast of colourful programmes with star studded crowd and live casting it.
Bengali GEC Aakash Aaath aims to bring in a bouquet of programmes as part of Bengali New Year special. Firstly, the channel will showcase three back to back films featuring renowned artists from 14-16 April. On 15 April, a special two hour live show Akasher Barso Baran will be aired with celebrity artists like Agnibho Banerjee, Madhura Bhattacharya, Madhurima Dutta Chowdhury and Bishak Jyoti Majumder.
Another cuisine special Radhuni Special will be aired with special Baisakhi dishes like Thakur barir mangsho o basanti pulao, paneer moti ball etc. The show will be hosted by celebrity artist Kanchana Moitra.
Aakash Aath director Eshita Surana said, “This is an important occasion for us. People in Kolkata do wait for this festive occasion. Aakash Aath is a Bengali channel, which is close to Bengali hearts. It is the only channel with complete ‘bangali aana’. I am celebrating this in a big way on Aakash. In fact we have completely changed the packaging of the channel for three days. Being a Bengali channel, if we miss Poila Baishak, we have done nothing at all and on Aakash, I make it a point to celebrate each festival with the viewers in their mood.”
Colors Bangla, the recently revamped Bengali entertainment channel, has come up with a musical show called Great Music Gurukul, starting 13 April from 9-10 pm.
An official from Colors Bangla said, “We do not have anything special for Bengali New Year this time. Only for Great Music Gurukul, we have a special episode where judges would come dressed in Indian attire.”
While other Bengali channels have musicals lined up, another trend is to have a milieu with the popular TV serial actors and actresses.
Baisakhi Sandha is another common trend where channels live broadcast performances in popular thoroughfares. Special interviews and panel discussions are also common as far as programming on regional news channels is concerned.
Some Bengali news channels also visit homes of viewers as well as cultural associations throughout the day, bringing colourful performances and extravaganza together.
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.
