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Big Magic Ganga readies Navratri special programming
MUMBAI: The regional entertainment channel of Bihar, Jharkhand and Purvanchal, Big Magic Ganga is planning to launch five new shows for its Navratri special series over nine days under Jholaa Jhuleli Maiyaa.
Starting from second week of October, Jholaa Jhuleli Maiyaa will include a special programming line-up dedicated to Goddess Durga comprising shows such as Ganga Jagran, Ram Charan Sukhdai, Bhakti Sagar, Jai Durga Maaiya and Family Talkies – Shakti special.
The show Ganga Jagran is a stage based devotional musical event with a combination of devotion and entertainment. The show will be led by singer and actor Pawan Singh, clubbed with various known artists from the region. Ganga Jagran will air on 17 October, with a repeat telecast on 18 October for duration of three hours.
Ram Charan Sukhdai is a devotional music series associated with spirituality along with bhakti songs. Singer Malini Awasthi will anchor the show and recite famous phrases from various holy books and will explain them in simpler terms to the audience. This half hour show will be aired from Monday – Friday at 9 am.
The 90 minute devotional show Bhakti Sagar will air at 7.30 am and pay tribute to nine goddesses in the form of bhajans. Ensuring a special dose of family entertainment, the channel will be introducing Family Talkies – Shakti special (Nau din Nau Flimyein). The special segment will showcase movies for nine days based on women empowerment.
BIG Magic Ganga TV programming senior vice president Partha Dey said, “Navratra is one of the most celebrated festivals in the north and being the leader in the region, we wanted to provide our audience with a seamless experience of devotion and entertainment. The whole idea of Jholaa Jhuleli Maiyaa series is to bring this nine day celebration right at the doorstep of our viewers in a format that is engaging, entertaining and creative.”
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.
