News Headline
Discovery to air Indian documentary to shore up viewership
MUMBAI: One of the best ways to build viewer cachet is to showcase programmes that are easy for them to identify with. Keeping this in mind, Discovery is stepping up efforts to bolster its Discover India content.
From October, the channel will air around 15 films made by aspiring Indian documentary filmmakers, in the Discover India slot, 8-10 pm, on Saturday.
The channel sources claim that almost 1600 films were received when they invited entries for specials. According to the channel, the criteria for choosing were depth and quality of the research done as well as the entertainment value that the programme had. Therefore, it was important that the filmmakers take a fresh and invigorating approach toward their subject matters.
One of the specials Akash Yodha from Kunal Verma explores the role of the Indian Air Force during the Kargil war. Another special Khallsa is is scheduled to air on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti. Other subjects will include the Kumbh Mela, Indian railways with a special emphasis on Darjeeling.
Indiantelevision.com spoke to a channel spokesperson this morning on the sidelines of a screening of Nefertiti Revealed., which will premiere on 7 September. In order to create awareness and generate curiosity among Indians, about the special on the famous Egyptian queen, front-page ads will appear not just in national but also in regional dailies.
The channel has also held parties for the media fraternity in Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai. SMS alerts and mailers were also sent to reinforce the message.
As far as the filmmakers whose work was chosen was concerned, the spokesperson hinted that while there was a wealth of content that had been generated through the endeavour the channel might consider commissioning them projects in the near future.
“In November, we will have a major global special World Wedding Day. A marriage in South India will feature. The Discovery crew were in Bangalore in May for over a week shooting the different ceremonies that precede a marriage. Our aim as same as was withWorld Birthday’s , to show the thread of commonality in the midst of diverse cultures and traditions” said the spokesperson. ” Other countries that will feature include Vietnam, Italy, Brazil, Rwanda and New Zealand.”
The spokesperson added that in October a series of specials under the brand Extreme Engineering Challenges would air. The specials will focus on the most complex and demanding of engineering tasks throughout the globe.
“Our focus on India has paid off handsomely. For instance the two-part episode Between Two Worlds that aired on 26 July saw us become the highest rated international channel for that slot on that day. We managed to beat the likes of Star Movies, HBO. The special dealt with the life of Ravi Shankar and the different phases he went through” the spokesperson added.
The Nefertiti documentary grippingly recalls the days of the queen who would later become a Pharaoh. The scientific elements are lucid and fortunately not boring for the layperson. The story traces the efforts of Dr Joanne Fletcher to identify the mummy she believes is the queen and this is interspersed with stunning footage of actors playing the queen and her family. The parts depicting the conflict between the queen and the Egyptian high priests, which would ultimately lead to Nefertiti’s downfall are particularly enthralling and eerie at the same time.
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.
