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Screen and serene: TV9 Bangla unveils its vibrant puja specials
MUMBAI: Talk about ‘screen’ goddess! This Durga Puja, TV9 Bangla is donning its festive best, bringing a dazzling mix of heritage, adda, and celebration straight into Bengali living rooms with its Sharadiya line-up.
Carrying the theme Pujo Ebar TV9 Banglaye, the channel promises a blend of inspiration and entertainment for Bengalis worldwide. The festivities kick off on Mahalaya (21 September) with Panch nari hatey tarobari, a stirring tribute to five trailblazing women, including theatre icon Noti Binodini, literary firebrand Mahasweta Devi, Rabindrasangeet maestro Suchitra Mitra, Antarctic explorer Sudipta Sengupta, and cricket legend Jhulan Goswami.
From Sasthi to Nabami (28 Sept–1 Oct), Pujor adda adds sparkle with stars like Abir Chatterjee, Mimi Chakraborty and Srijit Mukherji, chatting about their festive spirit and upcoming blockbusters. Meanwhile, Bonedi barir pujo (22–26 Sept) takes viewers inside Bengal’s aristocratic mansions, where grandeur meets tradition.
The line-up doesn’t stop there. Annya durga (23–27 Sept) salutes unsung heroines: women from the tea gardens and tribal communities who have fought adversity with grit and grace. And, for the community spirit, the TV9 puja competition will crown the best of Bengal across categories: from best theme and idol to women-led pujas and social cause initiatives.
TV9 Bangla, managing editor & business head, Amritanshu Bhattacharya summed it up: “This Puja, we’re celebrating the rise of women power while adding colour, culture, and excitement. You can’t miss TV9 Bangla’s screen this season.”
With its mix of star power, tradition, and inspiration, TV9 Bangla’s Sharadiya special looks set to be the perfect festive binge. After all, when it comes to pujo celebrations, this year, the channel is idol talk.
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.
