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Get set to watch the making of the Karcham Wangtoo Hydel Power Project on NGC
MUMBAI: It took more than five years of hard work and manpower of 14,500 to set up the Karcham Wangtoo Hydel Power Project – the largest hydropower station ever to be constructed by a private firm in India, is all set to be rolling.
The team battled the rugged terrains of the mighty Himalayas and created a monumental project that costed approximately $1.5 billion and stands on the river Sutlej in Himachal Pradesh. The 1,000MW hydropower project is believed to be the key to unlock India’s energy potential, the fifth largest power market in the world.
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Surrounded by jagged peaks, prone to sub-zero winters and accessible only by steep mountain roads, the story of the state-of-the-art hydropower project, would be premiered on 21 December 2013 at 6 pm on National Geographic Channel on A Himalayan Megastructure.
The Himalayas stand as a fortress to India’s northern frontiers, but flowing through its valleys, in Himachal Pradesh, was the key to unlocking India’s energy potential – the river Sutlej. These waters are vital to driving the fifth largest power market in the world, and it is right here that an audacious new chapter in India’s power history has been written. Challenging all that was known and conceivable, the visionaries at Jaypee Group saw their dream through to its completion. In the ultimate joint venture between man, machine and nature, the Karcham Wangtoo Hydel Power Project saw the light of day.
Jaypee Group executive chairman Manoj Gaur said, “We no longer live in a world that can be defined or limited by the parameters of what is ‘achievable’. And the power crisis is all-pervasive and as acute as it has ever been. Was the Karcham Wangtoo project challenging? In every possible way! But was it also the kind of stuff that makes you wake up every single morning and feel inspired? A big, resounding yes. And that, for us, was what made our entire team dedicatedly work on the project day in and day out. We are thrilled that National Geographic Description: A Himalayan Megastructure_2was able to come on board with us and do complete justice to this vision of ours.”
Talking about the association, National Geographic and FOX International Channels VP, marketing Debarpita Banerjee, said, “Nat Geo endeavors to bring the new and the varied to its viewers so as to unlock their minds to the big wide world. This project has been another such association. It’s been a privilege for us to have been a part of the Description: A Himalayan Megastructure_3Karcham Wangtoo Hydel Power Project journey and create a platform for alternate thinkers & conservationists alike, to showcase their groundbreaking work!”
Witness the story of a team that dared to dream different and push the boundaries of all that is tried and tested.
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.
