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Geminids follow in Leonid meteor shower wake
There’s more in store for lovers of shooting stars.
After last month’s spectacular Leonid meteor showers, the Geminid showers will make their way through Earth’s orbit, reaching a peak on the night between 13 and 14 December.
Although Indian stargazers may not be in for as fine a treat, many regions on the planet are in for a fine celestial display, it being New Moon night. According to experts, the Geminids are usually the most satisfying of all the annual meteor showers, even surpassing the famous Perseids of August.
Studies of Geminid displays in recent years reveal showers rich both in slow, bright, majestic meteors and fireballs as well as faint meteors, with relatively fewer objects of intermediate brightness.
Geminid meteoroids are supposedly several times denser than comet dust that comprise most meteor showers, some of them as large as two grams per cubic centimeter. Experts say that the relatively slow speed at which they travel (22 miles per second) make for better viewing.
In some countries, the show could even begin by Monday night, increasingly gradually before hitting a maximum in three days. Under ideal dark sky conditions, 60 to 120 Geminid meteors can be expected to burst across the sky every hour, on average. Some of the best viewings could be from North America, particularly eastern US and Canada, where hourly rates could even exceed 120.
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.
