News Headline
DD Bharati launches cultural and musical programmes
NEW DELHI: Doordarshan’s culture channel DD Bharati is telecasting a new programme on the classical music form Dhrupad which today has very few exponents in the country.
The three-day Dhrupad Yatra programme which commenced on DD Bharati consists of legendary Dhrupad musicians of past and present including Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar, and Pt Prem Kumar Mallick. Curated by Prashant Kumar Mallick, the programme which began from 18 August is being held till 20 August at 9 pm and will be repeated the next day at 5 am and 1pm.
DD Bharati is also telecasting a series next week on the monsoon season. The charisma of music with Barkha Ritu will feature Pandit Chhannulal Mishra and Pandit Shivkumar Sharma – who will enchant music lovers with monsoon ragas. The recital by Pt Shivkumar Sharma on the santoor will be aired on 24 August and Pt Channulal Mishra on vocals will be on air on 30 August to mesmerise the audience with a musical extravaganza at10 pm respectively.
DD Bharati is also commencing telecast of Purva Uttara: Past Forward from 20 August in which eight of India’s most spectacular sites – Sanchi, Konarak, Mamallapuram, Vijayanagara, Delhi, the Taj Mahal, Mewar, and Goa – are examined in a thought provoking manner in the context of the history of the time and the socio-economic milieu. The programmes will be telecast every Wednesday at 4pm and repeated the next day at midnight and at 8 am.
The first programme will be Mamallapuram: A Riddle in the Sands, while the second one will be Vijayanagara: Where Kings and Gods Meet. Others are Sanchi: Monument of the People and Konark: Chariot of the Sun. A World Apart: Princely Mewar, Rome of the Tropics: Goa, Immortal Capital: The Many Cities of Delhi and Visions of Paradise: The Taj Mahal.
Conceptualised by art historian Vidya Dehejia and directed by Shyam Benegal and Zafar Hai, the series present events and forces that shaped these towns and cities that are today icons of India’s architectural and cultural heritage.
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.
