GECs
DD Kashir to air 24/7 from 15 August
NEW DELHI: Doordarshan Kashir will become a 24-hour channel from 15 August. The channel launched on Republic Day 2000, at present telecasts 14-1/2 hours of programmes daily.
Out of these,commissioned programmes account for six hours, another four and half hours are taken by in-house and news/current affairs programmes while the archival programmes take four hours daily. The special audience programmes cover Gojri, Pahari, Ladakhi, Dogri, Sheena, Balti, Pushtu, Bhadarwahi and Punjabi audiences.
At a meeting to review the progress of the Special J&K Package, the minister of information & broadcasting Ravi Shankar Prasad was informed that the project is nearing completion and Rs 2563.6 million out of an outlay of Rs. 3796.3 million have been spent. 975 programmes have been commissioned so far.
Some of the current affairs programmes like Date Line Kashmir, Kashmir Now, Kashmir Nama, Pakistan Reporter, Sarhad Ke Do Rukh, PTV Sach Kya Hai and Pukhta Saboot are very popular. Commissioned programmes include serials on children, women, youth, sports, career counseling etc.
Out of the 112 infra-structural projects envisaged, 109 have already been commissioned. The completed projects include HPT Srinagar, 12 LPTS, 60 VLPTS, upgradation of eight VLPTS, 10 maintenance centres, two DSNGs and a studio at Leh. Three satellite uplinks at Srinagar, Jammu and Leh have been commissioned, HPT at Poonch for DD-2 commissioned and an interim set up is also commissioned for DD-1&2 at Naushera, Gurez, Samba and Kupwara. At Tithwal, interim set up is expected to be completed by June this year, according to a statement from the Press Information Bureau.
The strengthening of the DD transmitters and other infrastructure has not only extended DD coverage to the far flung and inaccessible areas within J&K but also extended coverage to large areas in Pakistan and the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir countering the propaganda from across the border. The improvement, both in the content and infrastructure has helped in focusing on the foreign mercenaries fighting a war as profession, highlighting the negative effects of militancy in Kashmir and its fall out, rich and established secular principles of India and J&K and India’s inherent unity in diversity besides providing healthy entertainment.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
