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Zee TV Asia Pacific celebrates first anniversary
MUMBAI: Zee’s South Asian feed, Zee TV South Asia has completed one year. From August 2004, a separate feed for Asia Pacific was initiated and now the channel has over 1.5 Million viewers in the South Asian Diaspora.
Speaking on the celebration International business president Dheeraj Kapuria said, “Today Zee Network is the leading South Asian Network offering the largest bouquet of channels. It is our endeavor to constantly shorten this geographical distance for the South Asian Diaspora. The content offered by Zee TV associates with our viewers. Today we are only one year old in Asia Pacific region and have many more miles to travel.”
Zee TV was the first channel to initiate local programming in Asia Pacific, latest being Full Circle, which started on 3 July 2005. This is an anchor based show, and will travel to alt countries in the Asia Pacific region showcasing lifestyles, festivals, culinary skills, exotic locates and most importantly, have viewers on the show, states an official release.
Zee TV Asia Pacific started formal distribution in 2001 when channels became pay channels. The channel reaches 13 countries from Israel in the west to Fiji in the east. Shows like Astitva and Kareena Kareena are aired in Singapore, Hong Kong and Philippines at prime time. Repeat telecasts are scheduled to reach all other countries within Asia Pacific at prime time. However programme schedules are completely flexible and based on viewer’s response. Viewer Interaction has always been of paramount importance. Shows like Antakshari, Khana Khazana and Astitva and the latest Full Circle are an evidence of the same, the release adds.
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.
