News Headline
Didi graces the launch of ‘ETV News Bangla’
KOLKATA: It was a big affair when TV18 Broadcast launched the 24-hours Bengali news channel – ETV News Bangla on Monday evening. The network got West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and actor Prosenjit Chatterjee for the launch that was live telecast on the network’s general entertainment channel (GEC) – ETV Bangla and also on the other Hindi news channels whose viewership is more than 20 crore.
ETV Head, Hindi & Urdu Channels Jagdish Chandra said during the launch that the test signal for the Bengali channel is on and it will go on air on 19 March in all probabilities.
The event became even more interesting when the network announced its plans to launch ETV Kannad on March 19. Chandra also revealed the plans to launch ETV Gujarati news channel on 30 April, in case it is extended it would be launched by 31 May. Even ETV Oriya will be launched on 31 July.
Banerjee, praising the network’s initiative, highlighted the role of the media in molding the society and said ETV’s foray into 24-hour news channel would create employment and give the audiences one more platform to watch news. Lightheartedly, she even remarked that the channel should work in a way that it becomes the ‘essential’ news channel in future.
Chandra spoke elaborately on the editorial policy of the news channel and said the network follows the “news only” concept and would cover welfare and developmental news.
TV18 Broadcast’s non-executive chairman Manoj Mehanka said “content is the king” and asked the journalists of the channel to work hard to get the interesting stories out to the audiences.
It looks like TV 18 Broadcast is on a super active mode to make an effect in the regional news space.
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.
