News Headline
Tirupati’s SVBC to launch Tamil spiritual channel
MUMBAI: This one is for Tamil speaking devotees of Tirupati. From time to time over the past few years, The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) which administers the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple – the richest temple of its type in the world – has been making announcements about launching its Telugu channel in Tamil. But so far it has only provided Tamil and Kannada audio feeds for its Telugu service.
Now, the TTD once again announced last week that it would be taking a stab at a full-fledged Tamil version of SVBC to start with, followed by an exclusive spiritual channel in Kannada. Dates were not given, but the management said it would happen soon.
The Tirumala Venkateswara Temple attracts close to 75,000 pilgrims everyday and has an estimated budget of Rs 2.530 core for 2015-2016 and it generated close to Rs 1,000 crore in donations in 2008; that figure has probably gone up manifold since then.
TTD administrators behind it laid the foundation stone of the SVBC Studio and Office at the Replica Temple near Alipiri in Andhra Pradesh to help it achieve that ambition. And the trust board’s chairman Chadalawada Krishnamurthy stated that it was investing Rs 14.50 crore behind the new facility.
Krishnamurthy added that “the SVBC Channel was initiated with an aim to spread Hindu Sanatana Dharma across the globe through innovative spiritual and dharmic programmes. To supplement such efforts, a state-of-art studio with the latest technology will soon be established in the temple city. The works will be completed within a year and the facility will have a live studio apart from two more studios with all the advanced technical equipment.”
SVBC Telugu airs an FPC consisting of the daily sevas (rituals and worship) , special pujas (prayers), processions, the annual brahmotsavams and other events in which devotees from all over the globe participate in all round the year in the temple’s premises. It also telecast spiritual songs by famed classical musicians and devotional performances by classical dancers, classical mythological films, yoga training shows, amongs many others. Advertisers too have been coming on board to tap into its viewers and the channel charges anywhere between Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 per 10 second TVC.
The channel is being beamed off Insat 4a located at 83 degrees east. It is available on channel 702 on Sun Direct, on Channel 842 on Reliance Digital, on Channel 915 on Dish TV, on Channel 530 on Airtel, and Channel 769 on Tata Sky.
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.
