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Southern channels line up Pongal specials
MUMBAI: It is festival time down South this weekend with Tamilians celebrating Pongal.
Tamil general entertainment channel Vijay TV will telecast Leoni’s pattimandram at 8 am on 14 January. At 9 am, a special event with actor Surya will be aired. Vasool Rani special is scheduled for 11 am, followed by an interview with actor Namitha will be at 12 pm.
On Sunday, 15 January, Sangamam special will air at 9.30 am. An interview wilth actor Sathyaraj is slotted for 10.30 am on the same day. Best of Lollu Sabha is scheduled for 11.30 am and Best of Kalakka Povadhu Yaar at 12.30 pm. The channel will air a celebrity special, Mr Pongal, with actor Srikanth at 6 pm followed by a special show with comedian Vivek.
On 15 January, Jaya TV will telecast a special episode of its popular game show Jackpot at 8 pm. The comperes from Radio Mirchi – Suchitra, Sujatha, Siva and Deva, will be competing with the comperes from Jaya TV – Prathipa Hari, Sai Rakesh, Sandhya Rajagopal and Priya to reach the top position. The channel will award a Maruti car to the winner.
On 14 January, DD Chennai will telecast Sirappu Oliyum Oliyum at 8.30 a.m. An interview with actor Asin is scheduled for 9 am, followed by another one with film director Cheran at 10.30 am.
On 14 January at 12 pm, actor-director Cheran will make an appearance in SS Music to speak about latest film and experiences. Jayam Ravi will meet his fans at 5 pm in Reach Out on the same day.
On 15 January, actor Srikanth will talk about his forthcoming projects at 4.30 pm. Actor Jeeva is featured in Reach Out scheduled for 5 pm.
Zee Telugu will air special shows in 14 January from 11 am to 12 pm and on 15 January from 11 am to 11:30 pm. The highlight of the channel’s line up is an interview with super star Chiranjeevi.
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.
