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Sahara readies surprises for Independence Day
MUMBAI: Looks like Sahara Manoranjan has big plans in the run up to Independence Day. The channel has a bunch of new launches lined up for August. The line up includes two new shows Hukum Mere Aaka that will begin airing 4 August and Aarzoo Hai Tu on 11 August.
Kicking off the new programming is a new season of the award-winning serial on women’s issues Kadam, featuring Divya Dutta. The new season that started from 21 July is being aired on Sahara Manoranjan from Monday – Thursday at 9:30 pm. Besides the new season of Kadam, an all-new series of Chacha Chaudhary is scheduled to launch on 4 August, says a company release.
The comedy-adventure show based on cartoonist Pran’s popular cartoon character Chacha Chaudhary, has Raghuveer Yadav playing the title role. The show will be telecast Mondays to Wednesdays at 7 pm.
Amongst the two new shows, Hukum Mere Aaka is a humorous fantasy with lots of special effects, which will be launched on 4 August. The daily serial produced by Pankaj Sharma’s Astute Media Vision will air from Monday to Thursday at 7:30 pm. Television and film actor Tiku Talsania plays the lead role in this show.
Another release in the pipeline is a romantic daily soap from Ramanand Sagar’s Sagar production house Aarzoo Hai Tu . The show featuring Mohnish Behl, Aman Verma and Mrinal Kulkarni will be launched on 11 August at 8 pm and aired Monday-Thursday at 8 pm, adds the release.
Besides that, Sahara Manoranjan will also be airing two mega-events. The first event to be aired is the Unity of Light, the recently held concert that features Lata Mangeshkar and A.R.Rahman performing live together for the first time. The event will be telecast on 27 July at 7:30 pm. The channel will be airing the next edition of Bharat Parva 2003, an all new star studded event celebrating Independence Day. The show will be telecast in three parts on 17 August, 24 August and 31 August 2003 at 7:30 pm.
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.
