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DW out to up viewership in Islamic countries
MUMBAI: “We want to bridge the gap between the Islamic world and the West by reaching out to the countries with a seizable Muslim population, and providing them with an European perspective,” says channel Deutsche Welle’s (DW) head of distribution (Asia/Australia) Angelika Newel.
Newel’s words put the German news and documentary channel’s objectives into perspective.
DW’s came to India in 1997 when, according to Newel, “there were hardly any digital decoders in the country”. The channel tied up with any willing cable network, and provided them with Grundig digital decoders from Germany.
Today, DW has tie-ups with nearly 220 cable networks here and is available in around 8.7 million households, Newel says.
However, as far as eyeballs are concerned DW has a negligible viewership. Till date, DW faces major problems due to lack of proper distribution strategy – it is available in areas like Bihar and the northeast where even English channels don’t do too well.
But, Newel says there has been a re-alignment in the company strategy now, and the channel is targeting pockets of viewers which consist of “Germans tourists, IT professionals, intelligentsia and students”.
Says Newel, “We have a single signal across the globe and hence the commercial prospects of the channel are pretty dim. Nevertheless, we have some localisation of programming for areas such as Afghanistan where we telecast two hours of news in the local languages – Pushtu and Dari.” These news capsules are presented by a local news anchors.
Newel states that the German government is actively involved in rebuilding Afghanistan. “We also have a special capsule in Arabic for the Middle East and north Africa.”
Asked whether something similar was on the cards for India, Newel chose to remain neutral saying, “It all depended on the availability of funds.”
Even though DW entered India in ’97, the link between Indian and German television dates back to the mid-sixties when a lot of content from Transtel (now closely associated with DW) was shown on Doordarshan.
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.
