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‘Force1’ mini series premieres on SET Friday
MUMBAI: This is an interesting strategy that borders on the risky. The latest offering from Sony Entertainment Television isForce 1 , a mini series slated to be a mix of action, emotion and drama along the lines of international productions, launches tomorrow.
The only problem being of course that tomorrow is the “grudge” Super Six World Cup match between India and New Zealand. When viewership of regular popular shows is plummeting due to the cricket craze, how enthused audiences will be to sample new fare is open to question. Especially after eight hours glued to the tube (11 hours if you add on the Extraaa Innings packages sister channel MAX is offering).
Anyway, that is the Sony programming team’s worry. As for the show itself, Force 1 is the story of a highly evolved commando unit that reports directly to the prime minister’s office and deals with issues of national importance and security like battling international assassins and protecting the nation’s leaders.
With an impressive star cast comprising Mandira Bedi (who provides the “visual relief” on Extraaa Innings ), Parmeet Sethi, Ashish Chowdhary of Hum Pardesi Ho Gaye fame and Nitesh Pandey of the Saaya fame, the series has been directed by Shivam Nair and is produced by Manish Goswami of Siddhant Cinevision.
The four-member commando team is led by Aryan played by Parmeet Sethi who being the strategist assigns duties to his group members. He is married and has a seven year old son.
Junaid played by Ashish Chowdhry, is the second member of the team who is a sharp shooter with a terrific sense of timing and has a network of bootleggers and informers who keep him informed about the day-to day happenings in the city. He comes from an affluent family who stands to inherit his father’s business. But, being a rebel , he breaks away and joins the Force 1 team.
The third member Shanks , played by Nitesh Pandey is a genius at computers, while the fourth member Indira played by Mandira Bedi is the ACP’s daughter who instead of joining the police force , opts to join the Force 1 team. Her area of expertise is that she handles all the back up room activities and provides all the necessary information regarding the whereabouts of criminals.
The series has been formatted within a three-episode plotline and airs as a one-hour show on three consecutive Fridays 14 March, 21 March and 28 March 2003, at 10:30 pm
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.
