News Headline
‘Lavanya’ to debut on 4 April
All set to hit the screen tomorrow, Lavanya, next edition of Zee's Chausatth Panne, is a love story of a girl called Lavanya.
Produced by Moving Picture Company in association with Dreamteam Software, the serial was launched yesterday at Sun and Sand, Juhu amidst glitz and fanfare.
With Shilpa Saklani aka Ganga of Kyunki… playing the lead character, this daily will air from Sunday to Wednesday on Zee at 8:30 PM Rest of the cast includes Rohit Bakshi, Gaurav Chopra and Ashish Kapoor.
Speaking on the occasion of the launch, producer Rajiv Mehta said, "Lavanya is a sweet-and-sour falling-in-love story that will examine the institution of marriage, its physical as well as metaphysical relevance in this new age … Lavanya is a new age girl who follows her instincts, decides her own value system in the society".
Set in Delhi, Mumbai and Goa, the story revolves around three central characters Lavanya, Sandy and Nikhil. Lavanya is a young and traditional girl brought up in a Punjabi family with middle class values and principles deeply ingrained in her. She falls in love with a bohemian artist, Sandy, who although likes her, prefers to be uncommitted to her. But on Lavanya's persistence, he agrees to tie the knot. When Lavanya's parents refuse to agree to their marriage, they elope. But Sandy dies in an accident and thus brings sorrow in Lavanya's life.
Meanwhile, after learning about Lavanya's affair, her father suffers a heart attack. After forcing her to marry 'suitable' Nikhil, her childhood friend, he passes away.
Lavanya on the other hand, takes it upon herself to tell her husband that she doesn't love him but was in love with another man. She asks him for a divorce. Nikhil after being rattled decides to break the relationship. But Lavanya and Nikhil have to stay together for one year, till their divorce application is accepted, as law does not permit them to divorce on the grounds of mutual incompatibility till they have tried to stay together for a year.
Breaking away from the regular family soap formula, seems like director Habib Faisal has taken a challenge of telling a love story in a different manner. Now it remains to be seen if audiences give this 'unusual love story' a thumbs up or not.
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.
