GECs
Ministry of Culture marks ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ on National Geographic for Independence Day
Mumbai: This Independence Day, the ministry of culture, in collaboration with National Geographic, celebrates ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ with two patriotic and captivating short films, ‘India On a Mission’ and ‘India: The Land Of Timeless Culture.’ Premiering on 13 August at 8.30 pm, the films aim to take the viewers on an inspiring journey highlighting the marvels of our beloved country.
The two ten-minute films bring to light the remarkable journey of us as a nation, with ‘India On a Mission’ exploring the most rapid and striking advancements in creating intricate technology ecosystems within the country. It narrates the stories of innovation in space technology, deep ocean exploration and defence technology and its manufacturing. While the film ‘India: The Land Of Timeless Culture’ traces the ancient roots of many iconic Indian living traditions like classical music and dance, modern medicine, and geo-surveying methodologies. Together, the stories highlight our nation’s contributions to the world through several branches of science as well as architectural and engineering marvels.
“At National Geographic, we harness the power of insightful storytelling that can inspire, inform, and educate viewers. It is a matter of pride to witness the remarkable growth of our nation, which is emerging as a prominent player in the world economy today. Through these films, we are celebrating the uniqueness of India across multiple spheres, which is bound to instill a sense of pride among Indians across the world,” said a spokesperson from National Geographic.
“We take immense pride in India’s remarkable progress, embracing its diverse culture and unparalleled accomplishments in space, defence, and wellness. We are elated to have collaborated with a credible brand like National Geographic, which has beautifully captured the very essence of the achievements and growth since Independence. Through this, the masses will witness our extraordinary journey and gain a profound appreciation for what it truly means to be Indian”, said a ministry official.
Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav films will premiere on National Geographic in India at 8:30 PM on 13 August 2023.
GECs
Sahara One reports financial results, notes director exit and business realignment
Muted revenues, steady expenses and strategic adjustments shape company’s current phase
MUMBAI: In a tale where the sands seem to be slipping faster than they can be gathered, Sahara One Media and Entertainment Limited has reported another quarter of wafer-thin income and widening losses, even as a boardroom exit adds to the unease.
The company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that its board, in a meeting held on April 4, approved its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. The numbers paint a stark picture. Total income for the quarter stood at just Rs 0.13 lakh, unchanged sequentially and sharply down from Rs 0.26 lakh a year earlier.
Losses, meanwhile, deepened. The company posted a net loss of Rs 24.16 lakh for the quarter, compared to Rs 18.81 lakh in the June quarter and Rs 39.69 lakh in the same period last year. For the six months ended September 2025, the cumulative loss stood at Rs 39.69 lakh, while the full-year loss for FY25 was reported at Rs 60.72 lakh.
Expenses continued to outweigh income by a wide margin. Total expenses for the quarter came in at Rs 24.30 lakh, led by employee benefit costs of Rs 6.51 lakh and other expenses of Rs 17.78 lakh. Earnings per share remained in the red at Rs (0.11) for the quarter.
The balance sheet reflects a company with significant assets on paper but limited operational momentum. Total assets stood at Rs 23,065.57 lakh as of September 30, 2025, broadly unchanged from March 2025. Equity share capital remained steady at Rs 2,152.50 lakh, while total equity was reported at Rs 18,004.85 lakh.
Cash and cash equivalents saw a modest uptick to Rs 6.75 lakh from Rs 4.68 lakh earlier, supported by a positive operating cash flow of Rs 180.01 lakh for the period.
Yet, beneath these numbers lies a more complex narrative. The company’s auditors flagged their inability to obtain sufficient evidence to form a conclusion on the financial statements, citing lack of access to records. They also raised concerns over the company’s ability to continue as a going concern, pointing to insufficient funds, delayed recoveries, and stalled content investments.
Adding to the governance overhang, the company disclosed that Rana Zia has resigned as whole-time director, effective October 16, 2025, citing other professional commitments. The resignation, noted and accepted by the board, also brings an end to her role across company committees.
Regulatory pressures continue to loom large. The Securities and Exchange Board of India has already initiated penal actions for non-compliance with listing norms, with trading in the company’s shares remaining suspended. There is also a risk of promoter demat accounts being frozen.
Legacy legal issues remain unresolved. A substantial deposit of Rs 694,027.88 thousand linked to the long-running OFCD dispute involving Sahara group entities is still under the purview of the Supreme Court of India. Restrictions on asset disposal continue to weigh on the company’s financial flexibility.
Operationally, challenges persist across multiple fronts. Advances worth Rs 1,92,916 thousand given for film content remain stuck, with delays in project completion and uncertain recoverability. The company’s YouTube channel, despite being operational, has generated no revenue for over three years due to compliance lapses. In a further twist, management has indicated that revenues may have been fraudulently diverted through unauthorised changes to its AdSense account, with a police complaint in the works.
There are also missed revenue opportunities. Television content rights continue to be used by a related party despite the expiry of the licence agreement, with fresh negotiations still underway.
For now, Sahara One Media and Entertainment Limited appears caught between legacy disputes and present-day operational hurdles. As losses linger and governance questions mount, the road to recovery looks less like a sprint and more like a slow trudge through shifting sands.
