GECs
Sahara Samay report fetches aid for 8 year old
MUMBAI: More news is definitely good news, especially with the news channels beginning to act more and more like good Samaritans.
While two weeks back, a news report on the City 60 section on Star News helped a sick baby, Sahara Samay’s news report telecast on Monday 28 April helped draw State attention to a tragedy struck eight year old girl, says an official Sahara release.
According to the release, it was Sahara Samay to first report the sexual assault on Vibha, a Delhi based carpenter’s daughter.
On 6 February, when Vibha was alone at home at her home in Khajuri Khas – a crowded area of northeast Delhi- a neighbour Joginder tried to sexually assault her. While she fought back and screamed, Joginder tried to strangle her and she lost consciousness, he then doused her with kerosene in a bid to kill her. But the neighbours were alerted by then as they saw smoke coming out of the house and rushed to rescue her.
Although rescued, Vibha’s leg had to be amputated. Her parents have already spent their life’s savings on the treatment. After viewing the prime-time telecast of the Sahara Samay report, the Union Health Minister Sushma Swaraj came forward to help Vibha. She has offered to provide assistance to the family and treatment for Vibha. Sahara Samay, meanwhile, intends to be with Vibha as she begins her long journey out of tragedy and towards a brighter future.
The report has, says the release, strengthen Sahara Samay’s commitment to be the channel of the people, identify with their concerns and be a part of their lives.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
