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Channel Eight exits Aakash Aath
KOLKATA: A production company Channel Eight, which relaunched the Kolkata headquartered Electro steel Group’s GEC Akash Bangla as Aakash Aath in October 2013, has been compelled to disassociate itself from the channel after it didn’t get the promised 51 per cent stake.
Channel Eight had invested around Rs 15 crore in the process as per sources.
“Aakash management had made certain commitments to Channel Eight which they have miserably failed to keep, due to which we have moved out from the channel, 12 June onwards,” says Channel Eight director Ashok Surana.
Indiantelevision.com had earlier reported that there was a tussle between the director Avik Dutta and the investor Ashok Surana over the share transfer issues.
Channel Eight’s programs like Janani, Police Filez, Ghhente Gha, Sahityer Shera Shamoy and Gaan Dariya have already gone off air from Aakash Aath. The production company has stalled the shooting process.
“As a result, nearly 300 persons will be out of work. The artistes and technicians associated with these productions are extremely unhappy with this development but have promised to work with us as and when we resume work. All the programs currently running on Aakash Aath are not Channel Eight Productions,” informs Surana.
“It is a sad commentary of market situations in West Bengal. The revenue potentials are low. Whatever is available is primarily taken away by the bigwigs. There are only two viable plans in media segment. Either a big plan so one can take away most of the ad spends in the region or low budget propagation where survival is not entirely dependent on corporate support for adverts/promotion,” says a media analyst Swaraj Mukherjee.
“Ashok is intelligent to get back the money. He was quite upset and feels that if it continues like this, no HNIs will ever invest in media sector,” says a close business associate of Surana on condition of anonymity.
Avik Dutta was unavailable for comment, when contacted.
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.
