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Zee’s healthy gift to Middle East
MUMBAI: If one thought that Zee Entertainment Enterprises (Zeel) is all about drama and movies, then it is high time one turned the pages of history.
Almost seven years know, Zee Networks but with a lifestyle channel, christened Veria Living, with the aim to provide a one-stop solution for those who seek overall wellness and healthy living guidance right from their home.
Launched first in USA, it later made its presence in other parts of the countries, more recently in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in the month of May.
In a statement issued by the group on the launch of Veria for the Middle-East region, Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra said: “After a successful launch in USA and Indonesia, we bring Veria to the people of the Middle East. The essence of this channel reflects every individual’s desire to enhance their outlook in life by augmenting the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual facets in their beings. Veria will serve as a one-stop solution for all those seeking overall wellness and healthy living guidance right from the comfort of their homes.”
A free-to-air channel features a wide range of shows focusing on such areas as food and nutrition, travel, exercise, alternative medicine and holistic health to redefine common perceptions about wellness.
“But the content will be slightly modified keeping the Arab audiences in mind”, says Zee Network CEO (MENAPT) Mukund Cairae: “For Arab audiences, we can’t showcase content the way we air it in USA. So we do edit things that we feel is not suitable for Arab audiences.”
Veria is aired on Nilesat in English with Arabic subtitles across the Middle East and North Africa region.
Cairae further reveals that, to get more viewers on-board, the channel is looking at creating fresh content. “We are in talks with Yoga companies to get the Arabic content on-board.”
“”The core idea behind the creation of such a unique product is to help people realize that wellness is a celebration of life itself”. “At Zee, we constantly strive to provide our audiences with new, exclusive content and programs and we understand our audience’s growing interest in maintaining an active and balanced lifestyle,” concludes Cairae.
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.
