News Headline
ETV Kannada and ETV Bangla to launch new shows
MUMBAI: Ringing in the new financial year are two regional general entertainment channels (GECs) under the belt of Network18 – ETV Kannada and ETV Bangla.
Treating its audience on the Bengali New Year is ETV Bangla. The channel has come up with a dedicated afternoon time band called ‘Duronto Dupur’ which goes on air from 15 April.
Four new shows will feature in the time band between 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm from Monday to Saturday. This includes two fiction shows Gouridaan– a remake of Balika Vadhu and Shesh Theke Shuru. Two non- fiction lineup includes a mythological show Durgesh Nandini and a neighbourhood based game show Parar Shera Bouthan hosted by Bigg Boss Bangla winner Anik Dar. Prior to this, the slot had reruns of the evening programmes.
Marketing for these shows have already begun in West Bengal. The channel is banking heavily on OOH, by putting hoardings and banners in markets, railway stations, bus back panels, rickshaw back panels, ferry branding and bus shelters. Also a 15 day radio campaign with an average of 72 slots across four channels has been devised.
On the other hand, viewers of ETV Kannada will be treated to a buffet of five new shows in the next three months. This includes two fiction and three non-fiction shows, of which one will be a mythological programme, named Srinivasa Kalyana, which is based on the tale of Lord Balaji.
“Kannada is a good market for us to introduce this show. We wanted to make the show perfect and which is why we delayed it a bit. It is looking brilliant,” says Viacom 18 executive vice president Ravish Kumar who handles ETV Kannada, Bangla and Oriya.
The timings and launch dates for the Kannada shows are still undecided but will be within three months.
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.
