News Headline
Saara Akash gets a large pie in the sky
MUMBAI: First time soap producers, Miditech must be patting their back. On the very first day of launch, Saara Akash, the lavishly produced young and yuppy series, has managed to notch a TVR of 7.3, marking the 16th spot in the CS4+ rankings by TAM. Across all India TAM markets, the average TVR for the soap reads 4.4, putting the series in the 48th spot.
If television ratings are to be believed, the audience has lapped up the fresh and lively fare being dished out by Star every Thursday night at 9 pm.
A refreshing break from the kyunkis and the kahaanis, the one-hour-long Saara Akash is positioned as a love story with life in air force as the backdrop. Shot at the Indian Air Force base in Mumbai and Pune, the story revolves around five air force pilots, who have just finished their training.
Given the warm reception of the serial, all the preliminary changes in the cast that includes big television names like Parmeet Sethi, Kiran Kumar, Manish Goyal, Shakti Anand, Anuj Saxena and Maanav Gohil now seem worth the effort and time.
Exuberant about the soap’s performance, Miditech creative director Anil Jha says, “The ratings are very encouraging. The publicity by Star TV has evoked enormous response.”
In early august, before the launch of the soap, Star had run a promotional campaign in Mumbai and Delhi where it managed to collect from men, women, students and senior citizens an overwhelming 150,000 signatures and messages for the Indian Air Force. For every signature collected, Star Plus has volunteered to deposit one rupee in the Indian Air Force Wives Association Fund. The book containing these signatures will be kept at the Indian Air Force Museum in Palam, Delhi.
The serial, Jha feels, has managed to generate interest because of its unique backdrop and also because people have liked the blend of characters in the story.
The series surely looks fresh and young and the ratings look good for now. Nevertheless, it may be too early to say whether it’s just initial curiosity or the series can actually sustain interest over the slated 26-episode-run.
Also read:
Love in times of Sukoi: Star Plus’ ‘Saara Akaash’
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.
