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etc goes globe trotting with two shows
MUMBAI: In sync with its new positioning of a channel with a “Bharatiya Dil” (Indian heart), music and entertainment channel etc has taken its shows Essence of India and Bollywood Jalwa into Malaysia.
According to a press release, the shows will strive to showcase the lifestyle of Indians living in Malaysia and examine their Indianness. The two minute filler Essence of India in Malaysia shot in Malaysian towns will present the life pattern, occupation, traditions and Indianness of Indians living there.
Essence of India is an extensive series of fillers shot all over India capturing the essence and spirit of the country and its people. This series of fillers have brought to life the rich abundance of cultural tradition and lifestyles right from a bidi (local cigarettes) factory in Kolkata to the cellular jails in Andaman, from Kalari Payuttu (the traditional martial art in Kerala) in Cochin to the fire-eaters in Goa.
The release informs that etc will also showcase the extent of strong inroads Bollywood has made into the hearts of the expatriate Indians living in Malaysia. Shot exclusively in Malaysia, this five minute programme Bollywood Jalwa highlights the fact that Bollywood has found audience with local Malays. Besides asking them about their favorite Bollywood star the show will also play a Bollywood song on request from Malaysian fans. While songs may vary, Malaysian viewers have a definite liking for the “Khan” stars and the “Kapoor” sisters.
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.
