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SSC&B rolls out creative for Sahara’s new shows
Quality programming it already has. It’s the image that now needs a makeover. That’s the brief to SSC&B, the agency that has bagged the Sahara TV account.
The focus, says SSC&B president Ajay Chandwani, will be on overall positioning of the channel to differentiate it from its mainstream rivals. No mean task this, but the agency has already started with a multi media pronged tackle on two of Sahara’s new shows – Shubh Mangal Savdhan and Parcchaiyan. Chandwani says the agency will focus on print, outdoor as well as radio to promote programmes, which will go on air in a phased manner.
The channel is also doing its promotions on television, apart from a corporate campaign for the entire group that is running on various channels currently. “We will be involved in evolving an umbrella strategy for the entire media segment of Sahara, which includes not just the television channels but also several print publications,” says Chandwani.
Next on SSC&B’s plate will be the news channels Sahara Samay, Sahara Samay Uttar and Sahara Samay Mumbai, which will be launched by the end of the year. While rivals NDTV, Aaj Tak and Star News are all readying to come up with their own channels by next year, Sahara is banking on its extensive network of news bureaus throughout the country and the speed at which news can be collated and disbursed, to beat the other channels.
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.
