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Aakash Aath to air series of special episodes during Durga Puja
KOLKATA: With the celebratory onset of Durga Pujo, Aakash Aath, a Bengali infotainment channel, promises to entice the viewers with a series of special episodes.
Starting from Mahalaya till Dashami, the viewers will enjoy a plethora of programmes catering to all age groups.
“We have tried to keep a perfect mix of programme during Pujas where every age-group gets different flavours. From Sashti to Dashami we have thoughtfully planned our episodes keeping the entertainment quotient as high as possible,” said Aakash Aath director Eshita Surana.
“We have also included some special musical programme on Dashami, to herald in Shubho Bijoya on a musical note,” she added.
The FM On TV will be aired for two hours from 9 am to 11 am. The show will be conducted by the two anchors, Priyambada and Mithu. While Priyambada would be at the studio, Mithu will be anchoring from the pandals.
Filmi Pujo will show blockbuster movies from Chaturthi to Dadoshi every afternoon for eight days from 1 to 4pm.
The festivity kicks off with a special programme – Agomoni, to mark Mahalaya. It will be aired between 7 am to 9 am will feature Sreekumar Chattopadhyay and Haimanti Shukla.
Good Morning Aakash will host artistes like Manomoy Bhattacharya, Shampa Kundu and Raghav Chatterjee on Maha Sasthi, Kinjal Chatterjee, Madhura Bhattacharya and Sovon Ganguly on Maha Saptami, Sreekanta Acharya, Jayati Chakraborty and Goutam Ghoshal on Maha Ashtami.
Ustaad Rashid Khan with his daughter Suha Khan performs together for the very first time only on Aakash Aath on Maha Nabami and Maha Dashami and Rupankar, Subhomita and Somlata on Akadoshi.
Radhuni also has very interesting list of personalities who will show their culinary expertise on the sets during the Pujas.
It is further learnt that the channel will telecast a musical evening with renowned singers on Dashami as Bijoya Special from 7 pm to 8 pm.
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.
