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Travelxp to launch new Tamil channel; 4K feed before Feb
MUMBAI: Giving competition to Discovery Channel, Prashant Chothani-promoted travel and lifestyle channel, travelxp, is all set to take southern India by storm with the launch of its new channel in Tamil. The channel’s soft launch is scheduled for 13 December. It’s availability on various distribution platforms will be unveiled post its launch.
The aim of the channel is to connect with the regional audience and broaden the audience base that travelxp already enjoys.
“We are launching a new channel focussed on the Tamil audience across all age-groups. South India has vast tourist spots which are famous both, nationally and internationally, with some places that are yet to be explored. Our channel will highlight everything — from food to travel to leisure, etc. and will showcase it to the world. ”
The channel will have original localised Tamil content as well as dubbed shows from travelxp’s existing bouquet. In a year’s time, the channel plans to have a 60:40 ratio of acquired/dubbed as to homegrown content in Tamil language.
After launching a Bengali version in April this year, travelxp’s Tamil will also explore and travel to new places, finding new cultures and destinations, knowing about different food tastes. The channel’s team would shoot different episodes with various families in their own drawing room.
The Bengali feed has a line-up of marquee shows such as Bliss, World Spa, Backpack, Great World Hotels, Strictly Street, xp guide, and Food Fact Fun, etc.
The much awaited 4K rollout of travelxp meantime is also set to launch before it’s speculated time in February 2017. The launch will happen across all the markets.
Chothani has invested around US$ 2 million in producing his shows in 4K over the past year or so. Using 4K technology, the shows have already produced 100 hours of travel content in UHD and need another 50 hours of content to launch a full-fledged 4K channel.
The channel has expanded its international footprint by launching in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi and Rwanda by tying up with Africa’s AzamTV network. The channel is already available in North America, Middle East and the Indian subcontinent.
Travelxp is currently available on DTH platforms — Tata Sky, Dish TV, Videocon d2h and Airtel, and leading cable networks like Hathway Cable & Datacom, InCable, Siti Cable, GTPL and UCN.
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.
