News Headline
DD Urdu: Over 160 series commissioned; several new series launched this month
NEW DELHI: A total of around 400-odd serials have been selected for Doordarshan’s Urdu service out of a total of 580 that were pending before the Prasar Bharati Board.
According to DD additional director general Anita Sinha, 165 series out of these have been commissioned.
Thus, after DD National, DD Bharati and DD News, a major revamp of DD Urdu has been undertaken with several new shows being introduced from the beginning of this month. These are new niche shows that cater to their selective audience.
The shows are meant to target all age groups thus igniting the flame of the Urdu language. They include four in-house and four commissioned programmes.
The in-house programmes are:
Yaadein (Memoirs): 8:30 pm.(Saturday), repeat at 2 am and consequent day at 1:05 pm – Famous personalities from all walks of life are invited in the studios to share their memories, experiences and interested anecdotes in this series based on ‘Down the memory lane’ of the personality.
Yaadon Ke Darichay Se: 8 pm (Saturday), repeat at 1:30 am and consequent day at 12:30 pm – Film based programme knitting old and new film songs with an anchor. Each programme is theme based, like rain, love and film personalities.
Mubahisa: 9:30 pm (Monday), repeat at 12:05 am and consequent day at 1:30 pm – Mubahisa is a studio based programme on current affairs and covers social, cultural and political aspects of the nation.
Taleem aur Rozgaar: 9:30 pm (Thursday), repeat at 12:05 am and consequent day at 1:30 pm – The programme is based on education and employment of the youth of our country. Programme highlights the current educational and employment opportunities for the young talents.
The commissioned programmes of 13 episodes are:
Ru-Baru: 9:30 pm (Friday), repeat at 12:05 am and consequent day at 1:30 am – This is an interview based talk show inviting personalities from the field of education, films, music and dance and also personalities of social and cultural eminence. The series is particularly designed for the young generation to understand that devotion and dedication is essential to become successful.
Karwan-e-Aazadi: 8:30 pm (Sunday), repeat at 2 am and consequent day at 1:05 pm – Series on freedom fighters Indian got freedom after sacrificing million of lives of freedom fighters and the contribution of these freedom fighters cannot be forgotten. Indian history and people of India will remember them forever. Some of the renowned freedom fighters covered in the programme are Ram Prasad, Bismil, Ashfaq Ullah Khan, Bhagat Singh, Raja Mahender Pratap Maulana Barkatullah Bhopali and Maulana Ubaidullah Sindhi.
Urdu Adab Ke Legends: 5:30 pm (Tuesday), repeat at 5 am and consequent day at 10:30 am – As the title indicates, the series covers the lives of the Legends of Urdu literature without whose contributions, the history of Urdu literature is incomplete. The legends included in the series are Qurratul Ain Haider, Shaharyar, Ali Sardar Jafri, Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, Akhtarul Iman, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Kaifi Azmi and Sahir Ludhianvi amongst others.
Dastan-e-Urdu: 6:30 pm (Monday), repeat consequent day at 08:05 am and 11:05 am – The series depicts the evolution of the Urdu language from its initial stage ‘Raikhta’ to a language of a common man. Evolution of Urdu took place, step by step and it reached to its zenith when it was spoken in the courts of empires. The series, produced by Kamna Prasad, traces the history of Urdu language with in-depth research and interesting facts.
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.
