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Endemol India’s ‘Lagori – Maitri Returns’ captures women bonding
MUMBAI: If the boys are ruling the celluloid with the bromance movies, the bonding of girls is set to rule the small screen. An inspiring tale of girls’ bonding will begin on Star Pravah from 3 February, Monday to Saturday at 9 pm. Lagori Maitri Returns, a show produced by Endemol India captures the story of four friends – Mukta, Poorva, Rujuta, Urmila and Dhanashree.
Lagori is the journey of Dhanashree, and her four friends who are an integral part of her life all through school and college, but life takes its course and the four friends are separated due to circumstances and lose touch with each other and more importantly a friendship that defined them.
The show is a fun filled emotional roller coaster ride of friends, a gang of girls, who reunite after eight years at a time when each of the girls, now women, feel the need for friendship to return in their lives. They meet again only to discover that the marriage, circumstances, have changed each of their personalities drastically. However, their lives get entangled once again as they reacquaint themselves.
Endemol India COO – Television Abhishek Rege, says, “The show is a touching tale of an inseparable gang of girls who reunite after parting ways due to circumstances. This show by Endemol is sure to touch a cord with all women who have lost touch with their friends post marriage and whom they hope to catch up with once again.”
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.
