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Tara Marathi to shift uplinking to VSNL teleport in two weeks
MUMBAI: Tara Marathi, the channel from the Broadcast Worldwide bouquet, is moving its teleport to Mumbai in the next two weeks.
The channel, which is being managed by production house Eternal Dreams, will commence uplinking from the VSNL teleport in Mumbai, according to Eternal Dream COO Bonnie Jain. The channel is currently being uplinked from Bangkok on the Shin Satellite Network’s teleport. The move is aimed to coincide with the second phase of the channel’s relaunch in mid September, says Jain.
Tara Marathi, which has moved into the reckoning once again after being in the wilderness for nearly two years, had flagged off its relaunch in April this year with a distance education programme in cooking and baking. The success of the programme prompted the channel to launch the same show in Hindi during prime time, taking on soaps and comedies in that time band.
The second phase of relaunch will focus on a celebrity talk show, Lakshaat Theva to be anchored by well known comedian Laxmikant Berde, who makes his television debut with the programme, says Jain. The other shows launched by Tara earlier this year, Atmakatha (biographical sketches of celebrities) and Abhimaan Maharashtracha (focusing on young Maharahtrian achievers) and Chehre (interviews conducted by well known photographer Gautam Rajadhyaksha) are also scheduled for a revamp during the second phase.
The channel is likely to remain off air for the duration the uplinking transition from Bangkok to Mumbai takes place. According to Jain, Tara Marathi, along with ESPN, was the only channel to uplink through a server, he said.
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.
