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‘Stree Shakti’ on DD National commences second season
NEW DELHI: Following the success of its first season, Doordarshan National has launched the second season of its weekend programme Stree Shakti, which will highlight stories of excellence and achievements with the new anchor Shruti Ulfat.
The first season had brought forth the challenges faced by women from across the country.
The series, telecast every Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm, airs some never before told stories of courage by women who have carved a niche through wilderness of misery, struggle and extreme agony, and emerged as winners.
Issues being tackled are gang rapes, domestic violence, gender violence, female infanticide, acid attacks, forced child marriages, and many such harrowing situations.
The second season of the show has umpteen stories on exemplary courage of women who were raped and left to die on the railway tracks, disabled women who fought the pain and won many battles, issues related with sex workers, mental illness and refugees who received help from the government.
Ulfat said, “Shaken, emotional, inspired, are the three words that instantly come to my find after shooting with these courageous women in Stree Shakti. I feel so much more evolved after knowing their stories. This season, I feel is certainly going to touch the hearts of the viewers, and bring them closer to us.”
In its endeavor to have quality content balanced with important issues, Doordarshan National attempts to bring to the limelight, the unsung women achievers, who are common faces in the crowd, but have unmatched stories of excellence to tell.
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.
