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NatGeo gets more local, introduces Indian adventurer on SuperCroc special
National Geographic Channel plans to go wilder. But if you thought they are going to introduce more wildlife programming, think again!
 SuperCroc that telecasts on 9 December |
The channel that is about to turn three in India, has a slew of plans up its sleeve to relaunch itself as an ‘entertainment channel’ in the subcontinent. “I am tired of seeing NGC listed under the educational programme category in the newspapers”, says newly appointed senior VP, content & communications Dilshad Jal Master.
The next six months, she promises, will see NGC targeting the 25-year olds with a host of adventure-n-exploration shows, programmes on science and technology as well as lighter series on cultures and people.
Master balks at the label of ‘infotainment’, though. “It may be educational in the process, but it is essentially entertainment”, she avers. A widely scattered audience of five to 50 year olds from 20 million Indian households would agree.
A recently concluded qualitative study conducted by the channel across several Indian cities showed that NGC is watched even prime time soaps are at their tear-jerking best on other channels. “We wouldn’t mind pitting our best series against the soaps,” she says.
That is precisely what the channel is doing with SuperCroc, a two hour special that will be aired on 9 December at 8 pm. Four years of research have gone into the making of the programme that delves into the discovery of a prehistoric mammoth – Sarcosuchus imperator, in the parched sands of the Sahara. The show does not only traces the way the SuperCroc lived and died, it also traces its descendants in swampy Australia, Florida and even in India.
 Gerry Martin makes his first NGC appearance on SuperCroc |
The in-house team of Dr Paul Sereno and Dr Brady Barr is joined by Indian herpetologist Gerry Martin during their exploration in India. The extensive research, the rigorous travels and the life size models of the 40-foot long reptile created for the SuperCroc, have all contributed to making it one of the costliest NGC shows produced so far. The show will be followed by a 13-part series on crocodile chronicles, three of which are filmed in India.
Although some region specific programming is in the pipeline, the study commissioned by NGC revealed that audiences are keen on seeing more of the world outside India, rather than about India itself. NGC is also planning to target women, who are increasingly choosing to watch the channel, says Master. Some of the envisaged programmes include those on health, medicine and culture.
Master discloses that the 18 hours of Hindi dubbed programming that NGC started airing in September this year has gone a long way in increasing penetration from 7.8 million households to 20 million now.
NGC is also planning to trace the National Geographic Society’s grantees who are working on several wildlife projects in remote corners of the country like Garhwal or Coorg, and using the inputs for making more shows on the channel.
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.
