News Headline
Doordarshan brings back ‘Ek the Rusty’
NEW DELHI: The young lad known for his winsome ways, Rusty, has grown up. When he was introduced to viewers through Doordarshan, he was less than 10 years old, but is now in his early 30s.
The age has not reduced his charm, because he remains popular in the hills of Mussoorie.
This character by renowned author Ruskin Bond who himself lives in the Mussoorie hills, was introduced to Indian audiences in the series ‘Ek tha Rusty’. This series now begins its third season with a curtain-raiser on 10 July. The show will be telecast every week on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7.00 pm.
Doordarshan director general Tripurari Sharan said that for the first time, this series was being telecast on a revenue-sharing basis with its producer-director Shubhadarshini Singh.
He informed that this meant that the producer will now be involved with the series from the day it begins telecast, unlike in a commissioned serial where the producer’s work ends the moment a programme is handed over to the channel. Apart from this, DD is now getting into another model where it asks some producers of getting ad-funded series, which according to Sharan was different from sponsored series.
He said that DD had gone on a marketing binge in recent months and the results had begun to show even in TAM, which was essentially confined to the metros and the larger cities.
Asked why DD was still reluctant to advertise on TV channels outside Doordarshan, Sharan said the costs were very high. However, he said marketing was already being done through hoardings, promos on other DD channels and All India Radio, in newspapers, and on websites.
DD was also very active on social media and the Facebook page had more than a million followers. In addition, the channel was active on Twitter and on YouTube as well.
Referring to ‘Ek tha Rusty’, he said the series had its own Facebook page. Shubhadarshini informed that the series had already been mentioned on private news channels as news items.
“Although the series is on a revenue-sharing basis, I have been given full freedom and there is no executive producer from DD on the programme,” said Shubhadarshini.
Furthermore, she added ‘Ek tha Rusty’ was not just a series for children as in the past but for family audiences. Admittedly, the storyline was male-dominated, she said. “I feed on the nostalgia in Ruskin Bond’s stories and I could never change his ideas and visions…in fact the author has helped us bring out the best in music, songs and all the nuances which I think makes this series so special.”
The new series has the touch of Ruskin Bond’s well-known inimitable style, trademark humour and profound simplicity.
In a message, Ruskin Bond said, “As a boy, reading was my religion. It helped me to discover my soul. Later, writing helped me to record its journey.”
This series is conceptualised around: the sensational new novel ‘Maharani’ by Ruskin Bond and a very touching story of Rusty and his inner turmoil when he makes friends with an Anglo Indian who is in hiding because he has leprosy… this is in flashback of Rusty as a teenager.
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.
