News Headline
Kairali TV revamps afternoon band, solidifies film content
MUMBAI: Malayalam channel Kairali TV, which stands in the third position after Asianet and Surya TV, is now in the process of revamping its afternoon band. The channel, which underwent a revival in 2004, has also got into an acquisition drive, collecting new movies.
“Till now, we used to repeat some of our primetime shows in the afternoon band. Now those shows are being replaced by original shows,” explains Kairali TV executive producer Shibu Chakravarthy on oozing fresh air to the afternoon band.
The channel has launched a one hour show Reality Show in January. The show being telecast on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday covers family-related issues. In the afternoon band, Kairali TV is launching a talk show Kari Vilayum Kanmashi targeting housewives.
Another segment which Kairali TV is now giving much attention is films. The channel, which doesn’t have a strong movie library to boast of, is now working on that part by acquiring brand new movies.
“We hadn’t been having much of these fresh movies. Now we have started acquiring new movies. It is very crucial for us to fortify this segment,” says Chakravarthy.
One of the latest acquisitions the channel has made is one yet to be released Malayalam movie Thommanum Makkalum. Incidentally, the hero of the movie Mammooty is the chairman of Kairali TV.
After its highly successful interactive quiz show Ashwamedam, the channel is launching another show Padayottam on the same lines. G S Pradeep, the popular anchor of Ashwamedam, will anchor this show. Padayottam is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursdays at 10 pm. Kairali TV has now launched a 9 pm quiz show Challenger for Mondays.
Chakravarthy said some of the channel’s news and current affairs programmes would turn live soon. News and current affairs programming constitute more than 30 per cent of the channel’s programming. He also hinted that Kairali TV is cutting down on its music content.
“It was Kairali TV which started the trend of doing music related shows in Malayalam television. Other channels followed suit. Now, since the area is congested with music shows, we have decided to do lesser number of music related programmes,” says he.
According to official sources, Kairali TV will be launching its news channel in the first quarter of the 2005 – 2006 fiscal.
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.
