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Swastik stories brings culture to every screen
MUMBAI: When history hits ‘play’, India listens. Swastik Stories, the creative powerhouse behind television’s grandest epics, has launched India’s first cultural storytelling & entertainment FAST channel, a platform where scale meets soul, and mythology meets modernity.
Streaming free across JioTV, LG, Xiaomi TV and RunnTV, the new channel already reaches over 50 million users, bringing India’s timeless tales into the digital age. Known for iconic shows like Mahabharat, Porus and RadhaKrishn, Swastik now takes its storytelling legacy into the FAST lane, blending cultural heritage with the ease of on-demand entertainment.
The curtain rises with Hamara Vinayak, Swastik’s first digital original, premiering on 31 October at 6 pm IST. Presented by 1 Finance, the short-format series tells cinematic stories in 10–12 minutes, made for today’s audiences who seek meaning in minutes. Episodes will stream every Friday on Youtube and the Swastik Stories FAST channel simultaneously.
“Swastik Stories is about giving Indian culture a new rhythm in the digital age,” said founder and chief storyteller Siddharth Kumar Tewary. “This isn’t just a channel launch, but a movement, a way to carry India’s stories forward with heart and honesty.”
Echoing the sentiment, 1 Finance AVP marketing Drashti Thaker said, “Our partnership with Hamara Vinayak mirrors our own philosophy. Just as Vinayak guides people through life’s crossroads, our advisors help individuals navigate their financial journeys.”
With plans to reach 90 per cent of connected-TV households by March 2026 and a growing slate of originals inspired by Indian culture, Swastik Stories is rewriting the way India watches, proving that ancient wisdom can stream just as smoothly as the latest blockbuster. Because when stories have soul, every screen becomes sacred.
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.
