News Headline
Hallmark adds variety with reality themed ‘Adoption’
MUMBAI: The reality programming genre is spreading its wings beyond AXN and Reality TV. Hallmark, which claims to be the channel with emotions, is looking at this genre to add bite to its fare.
From this month, it has commenced airing Adoption, a 13-hour, four-episode series that sheds light on a seldom-discussed aspect of family life. The weekly airs every Wednesday at 8:30 pm.
The series producer and VP for production of Hallmark Entertainment is Leslie Bloch who says that the idea came from the experiences of Hallmark’s President.
” We wanted to show inspiring human interest stories, programming that everyone could relate to. And our second goal was to be an informative resource for those people who are thinking about adopting” .
The series encapsulates search-and-reunion stories and experiences where adopted children looked for their birth parents and were reunited with them.
Besides making people aware of the facets of adoption the show avoids the sensationalistic, controversial elements that populate the likes of Survivor and Fear Factor. In this manner instead of showing people behaving in a disgraceful manner the show focusses on a more positive and holistic human experience, Adoption follows the travails and triumphs, the tears and trials of different families as they embark on a “complicated, emotionally charged” odyssey.
The divergent experiences of families in Guatemala, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Russia were tracked.
To lend gravity to the project Hallmark sought the assist of Screen Actors Guild President Melissa Gilbert who hosted the premiere episode, Gilbert was an adopted child herself.
In India, Hallmark is creating awareness about the show through cross promotional spot activity with MTV and Discovery.
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.
