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Sarthak TV launches new reality show ‘Dance Queen’
KOLKATA: Sarthak TV, from the Odisha-based Sarthak Entertainment Group, has launched a new reality show Dance Queen from 29 January. The show will be aired every Thursday and Friday from 9-10 pm.
“This is an innovative dance reality show for married women irrespective of age. The main motto is to allow housewives to entertain themselves as well the audience including their family members. A married woman whether working or housewife, old or young has dreams within her, perhaps ambitions too and mostly has an unreleased childish energy which perhaps stays suppressed due to societal norms and pressures,” said Sarthak Entertainment Group marketing manager Debi Prasad Padhi.
Now, Sarthak TV gives them a platform for realizing their dreams or aspirations, which they might have had in their early years, said Padhi.
Padhi further claims that it is for the first time in the history of Odisha television industry that such a unique reality show has been launched for the common woman.
“We aim to bring the show on a huge reality show format, which has never before been attempted by any other channel in Odisha and is expected to garner very high TRPs then any other show before,” added Padhi.
When being asked about the event flow, Padhi said that from 25 January, auditions were held at different cities in the state of Odisha like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur and Rourkela among other locations. “Thousands of participants showcased their talents and entertained our celebrity judges. The event flow will have auditions, mega audition, studio round, semi final, and grand finale,” he said.
The show will have celebrity judges like actress Riya Dey, veteran actor Sritam Das, superstar Bobby Mishra, and dancer and actress Koel Mukherjee. “Their presence will not only ensure high TRPs but assist the participants to hone their dancing skills,” Padhi said.
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.
