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National Geographic to speak more Hindi
It’s all about geography after all. When in Greece do as the Greeks would do. Most international satellite television and cable TV channels have been going in for dual audio feeds for their services.
With star rival Discovery going Hindi a long time ago can National Geographic stay far behind? Nyet. Come mid September, the channel is going to be available in a dual Hindi-English feed from 7:00 am to 1:00 am, all of 18 hours, in order to strengthen its connect with Indian and south Asian audiences. It was earlier airing just four hours of Hindi dubbed shows.
“Much emphasis will go toward making the programs in simple Hindi language which appeal the masses right from an office boy to a grandmother sitting in northern part of India,” says National Geographic Channel associate vice-president programming Vijay Raman. “At the same time it will not put off English speaking individuals in a family as two to three generations can sit down and watch it together. The Hindi will be very simple,” he stresses.
“NGC isn’t a niche channel which it is often perceived to be,” adds Raman. “It’s got universal appeal and caters not only just to people of all age groups, it is liked by people across all the sections of society and the viewership and the television ratings that we have been getting indicate that it is like any other mainstream channel. We receive feedback not only from well-heeled in the SEC A category but also from individuals living in slums.”
NGC claims a penetration of 18-20 million homes and is distributed in India by co-owner Star India.
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.
