News Headline
Mi Marathi to strengthen digital presence; ropes in ABP Majha’s Nilesh Khare
MUMBAI: After attaining and retaining the number one spot in the genre for the past two weeks, Marathi news channel Mi Marathi is now looking at strengthening its digital presence.
The channel has roped in former ABP Majha anchor Nilesh Khare, famous for his show Bigg Boss and given him the mandate for the same. In his new role as Mi Marathi editor – digital, Khare will be working with a new team to get the channel’s digital plan rolling.
Khare, who joined the channel last week, will not just be heading the digital team but will also be hosting a show Marathi Bigg Boss on the channel.
“We have a news channel and a newspaper, but now we want to strengthen our digital presence. We have recently launched an app but we will not be taking a regular digital route,” Mi Marathi editor in chief Ravindra Ambekar tells Indiantelevision.com.
The plan, currently in its nascent stage, is to make the digital platform interactive. “We have done a lot of research and found out that one sided communication is not really helpful. While people have switched on notifications to keep themselves updated with news, this has now reached stagnation point. Hence we are looking at making our platform more interactive, where people can voice their opinions,” adds Ambekar.
Mi Marathi will have a separate digital team, headed by Khare. “We should be launching the digital platform in the next six months,” informs Khare.
Talking about his decision to join Mi Marathi, Khare says that it was the young and enthusiastic team that attracted him to associate with the channel.
Mi Marathi will soon start shooting for Marathi Bigg Boss with Khare. “It was a popular show, which he worked on during his stint with ABP Majha. We will be bringing that on our channel now,” informs Ambekar.
Mi Marathi plans to take the show international and plans are afoot to shoot the first episode in Dubai. The programme will feature Maharashtrian entrepreneurs across the globe. “This will be a yearlong show. While currently it is at conceptualization level, we have already shortlisted around 13 entrepreneurs and industrialists in Dubai and so we will start shooting there next month. Post that we will go to the US as well,” informs Ambekar.
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.
