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DD 24×7 north-east channel starts on 25 December; Rs 7 crore allocated
MUMBAI: Pubcaster Prasar Bharati is geared up to launch a 24×7 satellite television channel in northeast India on 25 December catering to the region’s cultural ethos. Prasar Bharati runs Doordarshan and All India Radio.
The information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry has allocated Rs 7 crore to the broadcaster for launching DD Arun Prabha.
Indiantelevision had reported that Prasar Bharati had in April last year proposed that the existing North-East channel be trifurcated by launching two additional 24X7 satellite channels for North Eastern Region designated as Arun Prabha Itanagar and ‘Ma-Mi-Na’ Aizawl. DD North-East telecasts entertainment and information-based programmes in Assamese, Bengali, English and other languages of the north-east region.
The channels are expected to provide a strong platform to rich cultural and linguistic identity of the region.
Arun Prabha channel was proposed to cater to the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, the second channel will cater to the states of Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur and the third to Assam and Meghalaya.
Now, DD Arun Prabha will showcase programmes on the diverse culture of the northeastern states. The ministry has already sanctioned money for this channel, said Prasar Bharati chairperson A. Surya Prakash said.
The proposal to launch DD Arun Prabha was announced in Narendra Modi government’s first budget. This step comes as a part of Doordarshan’s initiative to strengthen its plans in the northeast.
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.
