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NEW DELHI: The Rajat Sharma and Ritu Dhawan-promoted India TV would make a formal debut in a 24-hour news channel avatar on 20 May.
Announcing the launch of the channel at a press conference here today, Sharma said, “We aim to change the way broadcast news reporting is being conducted in the country. India TV will set new benchmarks by maintaining international standards of responsible and credible news reporting. We will stay away from graphic depictions of violence and sensationalism of news. We will uphold the viewer’s right to correct information and their right to truth and verity. India TV is not just a news channel, it is a movement.”
Asked by indiantelevision.com whether India TV would continue to be a stand-alone channel or join a bouquet to increase its distribution muscle, Sharma said that some talks were held with few media organisations but nothing has been finalised.
“If we join some bouquet or some other organisation wants to get associated with us, then that organisation would have to believe in our mission that India TV is,” he explained. India TV, in which approximately Rs 700 million has been sunk in, would continue to be a digital free-to-air news channel. Some 1,500 decoder boxes, however, have been distributed in those parts of the country where Hindi is predominantly spoken and understood in areas like Bihar, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
“We are focusing on the Hindi speaking belt at the moment, but would spread to South India at a later stage,” Sharma said.
India TV has also lined up a media blitz encompassing outdoor, radio, TV and print. While the TV campaign on niche channels would start in June, the other three media would be used immediately.
The channel has been on air for the past four weeks with a three-hour Election Special covering the general elections.
Complementing and supporting the channel’s own resources will be people known for their expertise in various facets of television journalism. Also on board will be personalities such as investigative journalist Tarun Tejpal and environment activist Maneka Gandhi.
Speaking on the vision behind India TV, Dhawan was quoted in a press release saying, “We have worked very hard to make India TV a world-class channel with an international feel. Yet, we have ensured that the soul of the channel remains Indian and its programming addresses the issues and interests of the average Indian.”
The programming on India TV will incorporate in-depth analysis and minute-to-minute coverage of relevant issues. Twenty-minute news bulletins will be supported by ten-minute analyses of key events, every half hour, added the release.
Some of the major attractions at India TV will include Aaj Ki Baat Rajat Sharma ke Saath, a daily programme blending news reporting and analysis between 9 and 10 pm. Another programme Jeene ki Raah is a daily special bulletin on environment and animal welfare which will be anchored by Maneka Gandhi and a daily bulletin called Aaj Ka Tehelka exposing corruption at all levels by Tejpal. Among the bouquet of programmes will also be Aap Ki Adalat, Sharma’s signature show.
Commenting on her decision to join India TV, Gandhi said, “I joined because I think it is a channel that will tell the truth, and place it in the proper perspective without trivialising it.”
Added Tejpal, “I had resisted the allure of joining television till Rajat approached me to be a part of his team at India TV. Realising that the power of the visual medium can heighten the overall effect of an investigative story and leave a lasting impression on the audience, I agreed.”
Also notable is the fact that for the first time in India, the network of reporters at India TV will use fibre optic links for video transmission. These fibre optic links will connect 110 stations to the broadcast centre to facilitate real time transmission of news. The newsgathering network will also use mobile satellite vans and suitcase dish antennas for sending video dispatches from remote locations. The free-to-air news channel will be beamed from the PAS 10 satellite.
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.
