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Life Mantra: A life spirit channel to launch in second quarter of 2014
NEW DELHI: India’s first life spirit free to air (FTA) channel will be launched soon. Christened Life Mantra, the channel is aimed at delivering content that targets the body, mind and soul with a holistic combination of lifestyle and spirituality. The new channel is also expected to help audience gain a positive outlook in life.
The channel will be launched by JOP network, a subsidiary of JOP Group, and has been conceived by the Group CMO Bharat Agarwal.
Set to go on air in the second quarter of this year, Life Mantra will air a bouquet of programmes across genres of food, travel and spiritual lifestyle essentials in today’s modern day and age. The programming mix is aimed at reintroducing one to the inner self and to the roots steeped in spirituality that leads towards the path of constant and conscious pursuit of living life to its fullest potential.
Targeted at the age group of 25 to 45, Life Mantra will be distributed via all DTH, cable and satellite platforms across the country. An extensive research amongst the targeted group in metros and mini metros shared interesting insights about the potential of content in this genre. The mushrooming of options centered on well-being; be it in food, fitness or even travel is a result of this trend which further reiterates that there is a definite demand for such content.
Sharing the rationale behind introducing the channel, JOP Networks director Urvi Agarwal said, “Spiritual lifestyle as a subject is extremely close to our heart and we feel there is an ample potential and demand for content in this category. With our channel Life Mantra, we look forward to bringing our viewers closer to their spiritual self through holistic lifestyle programming with a global appeal for Indian audience. Our content will drive our audience towards the path of constant and conscious pursuit of living life to its full contentions.”
Life Mantra will not be just a TV channel but a brand that will soon be extended to various platforms. “We are confident that the content on our channel will have a national as well as international appeal. Hence, we would be looking at introducing the channel at the global platform as well in future. Through the platform of Life Mantra, we aim to provide happiness to the modern day urban consumer,” she further added.
Helios Media has been assigned the marketing and sales mandate for the channel. Helios Media managing director Divya Radhakrishnan said, “The concept of Life Mantra is very unique to the Indian television space. There are a plethora of brands that wish to place its messaging in such a positive environment and use its power to influence on to their brands.”
JOP group, pioneers of real estate in residential as well as commercial projects in North India is owned by Bharat Agarwal.
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.
