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Star India celebrates World Television Day
MUMBAI: For those of a certain generation, the television has always been there in the corner of the front room, entertaining us, educating us, shaping our mindset and attitude. Believed to have been invented by an assortment of individuals in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, the credit for the TV unit is generally given to John Locke Baird. Just like the internet this side of the millennium, the television, in its age, revolutionised the world. The first World Television Forum was staged by the United Nations in the mid ’90s, and that is when the humble TV set was honoured with a day of its own. Ever since, 21 November is celebrated as World Television Day.
TV has proved to be an indispensable medium that has played a crucial role over the past decades, as well as during this prolonged pandemic. It provided a crutch to the Indian psyche and kept more than a billion people united, engrossed, and informed with content across genres in multiple languages.
To celebrate this medium, Star India Network has come up with a campaign to commemorate World Television Day and to convey heartfelt gratitude to its distribution associates for their relentless efforts.
The network has conceptualised in-house campaign that brings together some of the most loved characters from the Star India Network for the occasion. Star & Disney India TV distribution, India and international president Gurjeev Singh Kapoor said, "Our Cable & DTH affiliates form the backbone of the television viewing value chain and through this initiative, we are expressing our gratitude towards the continuous support they have extended to the Star India network over the years."
Kapoor highlighted that the campaign will be aired across Star network – GEC, movies, sports, and regional channels. It will be broadcast in multiple languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, and Marathi. Further, it will also be amplified digitally through social media.
The campaign will air across the network starting 20 November from 9 pm, till 21 November, in Hindi + six regional languages leveraging Star India Network’s talent. These include Neil Bhatt from Gum Hai Kisi Ke Pyaar Mein, Suhasini from Devatha, Harshad Atkari & Samriddhi Kelkar from Phulala Sugandh Maaticha, Sonamoni Saha from Mohor, Naleef Gea from Mounaragam, Chitra from Pandian Stores, and Dharma from Inthi Nimma Asha.
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.
