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AXN will space out viewers
AXN has announced the launch of two new shows that deal with the sci fi genre.
The first show of the two, both to commence airing every Saturday from 9 March, is called Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda. The plot revolves around the starship Andromeda Ascendant. The captain Gylan Hunt along with his crew search outer space searching for new worlds in order to create a peaceful new commonwealth. The series stars Kevin Sorbo, Keith Hamilotn Hobb and Lisa Ryder and will air at 7 pm.
Following this at 8 pm, will be The Outer Limits. The show that won awards at Gemini and Emmy has picked up where the classic series of the 1960s left off.
Each episode celebrates the spirit of the human imagination, says the channel. The stories deal with touchy subjects such as genetic manipulation, time travel, aliens visiting our planet and life after death. The characters are constantly exploring new frontiers in technology as well as outer space.
Cast members include Kelly McGillis Top Gun, Charlton Heston The Ten Commandments and David Hyde Pierce from the television sitcom Frasier.
The channel is also running a contest where one has to select the AXN action hero / heroine of the year. Choices include Bruce Willis, Demi Moore and Arnold Schwarzennegger. Up for grabs are a pair of air tickets to Los Angeles.
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.
