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DD revamps prime time viewing with five new shows
NEW DELHI: After having revamped its afternoon programming leading to a spurt in viewership, Doordarshan National is now all set to give a new look to its prime time programming.
The new programmes, Nadiyaan Gaati Hain, Bharat Ki Shaan: Let’s Dance, Earth Matters, Gaon Connection and Yatra will start from 6 June. Through this the channel aims to connect with its audience yet again, with fresh content which is full of entertainment and information.
Nadiyaan Gaati Hain is to commence telecast every Friday starting today at 7.00 pm. It is a one-of-a-kind travelogue documentary series on rivers that explores the historical, cultural and social journey of these rivers. Produced by Anupama Productions, this 13-part series delves deep into the realms of history, mythology and culture to bring out gems of unique information about the six significant rivers of Madhya Pradesh- Narmada, Betwa, Shipra, Tapti, Chambal and Sone.
After five fantastic seasons of unparalleled success of music and dance reality shows, Bharat Ki Shaan: Let’s Dance air every Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 pm. This season has a new look and the new format creates an edge over the monotonous dancing reality shows. Judged by ace choreographers Pony Verma and Sandip Soparrkar, the show is aimed at the young aspirants and the young-at-heart viewers.
World renowned environment filmmaker Mike Pandey’s Earth Matters returns with season four from 8 June, every Sunday at 10:30 am. While the series has been running without a break, the last few weeks saw DD repeating older programmes. Directed and produced by Pandey, Earth Matters take a hard look at the state of the environment; the diminishing natural resources, the fast disappearing forest cover, the endangered wildlife, urban pollution and the pressures on rural India.
Like the previous seasons, the 26-episode series commencing on Sunday is not just a doom and gloom series it provides solutions and remedial action that each individual can take at his own level.
Shot this time in HD format, the series have already won accolades internationally. It has also led to the creation of Earth Matters Clubs all over the country with young people, particularly in rural or semi-urban areas working to put into action the xuggestions given in the programme to improve the ecology and fight climate change.
Gaon Connection will go on air from 9 June, every Monday and Tuesday at 8:00 pm to meet the unmet hunger for information in rural India and to inform urban India about the transformation underway in the hinterland. The idea is to build a bridge with quality content through a connection with rural India where DD already has a strong hold on viewership.
Yatra commencing from 11 June every Wednesday at 8:00 pm is a travel show. It is a religious travel guide which focuses on a spiritual journey around Indian temples. The show enlightens the viewer and takes him for a mesmerizing journey of these havens of peace.
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.
