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Little-known story of Moghul descendants on DD Bharati
NEW DELHI: Doordarshan will telecast on DD Bharati a documentary titled `The Living Moghuls’ on descendants of the Moghuls later this week highlighting their lives in the India of today.
Begum Laila Umhani and her sister Husn Jahanara Begum and their families are the many descendants of the Moghuls living in Hyderabad. Shorn of any royal or political patronage, the sons of Laila Umhani have adapted themselves to survive in today’s world. Their life is the subject of the documentary titled `The Living Moghuls’ on 19 December at 10:00 pm, repeated next day at 06:00 am and 02:00pm.
DD Bharati in association with the External Affairs Ministry is telecasting ‘Cityscapes’, a six part series on six cities of India representing the diverse nature and histories of cities in India. It will be telecast the series every Monday on DD Bharati from 22 December at 10:00 pm, repeated next day at 06:00 am & 02:00pm
Dasha Kumara Charita is a prose romance in Sanskrit attributed to Dandin in the 7th century BC. It describes the adventures of ten young men, the Kumaras, all of whom are either princes or sons of royal ministers, as narrated by the men themselves. These narratives are replete with accounts of demigods, ghosts, gamblers, intrigues with voluptuous women, astonishing coincidences, cockfights, sorcery, robberies, murders and wars. This series will be on DD Bharati from 23 December at 07:00 pm, repeated next day at 03:00 am and 11:00 am.
DD Bharati presents from its rich archives ‘Titli’ based on the “Grasshopper” story by Anton Chekhov featuring Neelima Azeem, Alok Nath and M.K Raina supported by B. M Shah, Dolly Ahluwalia, Irrfan Khan and produced by Saba Zaidi. Alok is an earnest and rather boring young physician, who is preoccupied with his patients and his research, resulting in his wife Shalini having an illicit affair and regretting this too late. This telefilm will be seen on DD Bharati on 20 and 21 December at 11:00 pm repeated next day at 07:00 am and 03:00 pm.
On the occasion of Christmas Day, DD Bharati presents a special compilation comprising sweet remembrances, moments and messages of “Merry Christmas” through music and dance on 23, 24 and 25 December. The compilation brings in series of programmes featuring a multi-lingual celebration of Christmas and the popular imaginary of Santa Claus as observed in various parts of country. The programme also celebrates the “Birth of Jesus” and Spirit of the Santa Claus through melodies of carols, histrionics of dance, and several lyrical renditions. The noted scholar Dr Arshiya Sethi who has curated the programme says: “Christmas is simultaneously a festival of values ideals, giving and rejoicing India offers a pan Indian scope for Christmas celebration a multi lingual carol tradition and woven in artistic expression to retell the life and glory of Jesus. This is spectacular and finds no equivalent anywhere in the world.” The Christmas programmes will be at 10:00 pm from 22 to 25 December.
DD Bharati celebrates Good Governance Day on 25 December on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This includes a poetry organised earlier this month by All India Radio.
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.
