News Headline
Will Smith goes ‘Pole to Pole’ in National Geographic’s bold new series
MUMBAI: National Geographic will premiere Pole to Pole with Will Smith in India on 16 January, marking one of the network’s most ambitious global productions to date.
The seven-part series follows Will Smith across all seven continents, from Antarctica’s icefields to the Amazon rainforest, the Himalayas, Africa’s deserts, the Pacific islands and the Arctic. Airing Fridays at 9.30 pm, the show charts a 100-day journey that tests Smith’s physical and mental endurance at the planet’s extremes.
Smith skis towards the South Pole, dives beneath Arctic ice, scales mountains and ventures deep into the Amazon in search of venomous spiders and the giant green anaconda. Along the way, he is joined by scientists, explorers and indigenous communities, blending exploration with environmental science and cultural insight.
Five years in the making, the series pairs cinematic storytelling with scientific discovery, from ice-core research in Antarctica to venom extraction that could aid medical breakthroughs. Encounters with communities such as the Waorani of the Amazon and the San people of the Kalahari underline the human knowledge needed to face a fragile future.
Smith said the expedition pushed him beyond anything he had attempted before, describing it as a journey not just across the world’s edges but into the lives of extraordinary people. National Geographic EVP of content Tom McDonald said the series reflects the network’s mission to combine spectacle with meaning and a deeper understanding of the planet.
In India, the series will be broadcast on National Geographic Channel, distributed by JioStar, the joint venture between Reliance and The Walt Disney Company.
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.
