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Channel Eight and Aakash Aath kiss and makeup
KOLKATA: The clock has turned back for Channel Eight as it agreed to join hands once again with Bengali general entertainment channel (GEC) Aakash Aath.
Last month, Indiantelevision.com had reported about the on-going tussle between the production company and the GEC over the latter’s unkept promise to hand over a 51 per cent stake to the former. It compelled Channel Eight to disassociate itself from the GEC.
However, within a month things are looking better as the two have found a mediator. “Someone has agreed to mediate between the two warring parties and has taken the responsibility of honouring the deal,” reveal highly placed media sources.
As per the new agreement, Channel Eight’s programs like Janani, Police Filez, Ghhente Gha, Sahityer Shera Shamoy and Gaan Dariya among others which had gone off air from Aakash Aath are back on from 14 July.
In October 2013, Channel Eight had relaunched the Kolkata headquartered Electro steel Group’s GEC Akash Bangla as Aakash Aath and till June 2014, had invested around Rs 15 crore in the process as per sources.
“No stock transfer has happened till date. But it is confirmed that it will be done sooner than later,” said a close associate of Channel Eight director Ashok Surana.
Surana view is that “share transfer is not important. What is important is healthy running of the channel and taking it to number three position amongst all Bangla GEC channels.”
This, quiet contrary to his statement last month wherein he had told indiantelevision.com that “Aakash management made certain commitments to Channel Eight which they have miserably failed to keep, due to which we have moved out from the channel, 12 June onwards.”
Meanwhile, insiders claim that in the last couple of days, Surana has got 40 per cent of shares transferred in his name and remaining 11 per cent will be duly done in the next 10 days.
Apart from this, the channel plans to focus on produced programmes instead of simple news bulletins in the coming days.
Layoffs could be in the offing at the GEC, according to sources. Surana says that with the change in genre from news to infotainment, tirmming down is bound to happen.
GEC director Avik Dutta confirmed that Channel Eight would produce programmes for the channel.
However, the employees aren’t very happy with the collaboration behind closed doors and want to address the issue before chief minister Mamata Banerjee.
“There is no salary and work culture here at present,” employees grumbled to indiantelevision.com.
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.
