News Headline
Shobha De: Bestselling author joins Tara Marathi
The regional language channel segment has seen a stampede of entrants. After Tamil, the next most competitive language category has been Marathi wherein close to half a dozen channels are jostling for a share of the relatively small advertising pie.
The key therefore to survival and well-being is differentiation which offers value to viewers. Tara Marathi, promoted by Broadcast Worldwide has taken another step in that direction by hiring best selling pulp fiction writer Shobha De as creative director.
“As the creative director of Tara Shobha De’ will be responsible for driving the channel and giving the channel a distinct identity and long term vision,” a press release from the company says. “Shobha has extended herself beyond the confines of being slotted as a conventional Maharashtrian woman and achieved success in several areas without losing touch with her roots. Being a proud and aware Maharashtrian herself, Shobha represents the mindset of the contemporary Maharashtrian, which is what makes her ideal for this profile.”
De joined the channel on 1 July 2000 and she will be working closely with Rathikant Basu and the Tara Marathi team headed by Nitin Vaidya. “Giving TARA a contemporary Maharasthrian identity will be my main challenge here,” says De about her role at Tara. “Today’s Maharashtrian is not what he or she used to be. They are breaking away from stereotypes and are not confined to the conventional areas of achievement anymore. They are achievers in every field be it technology, cricket, theatre, Bollywood or literature.”
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.
