GECs
ZedCA will leverage expertise of Pune University.
ZedCA, a division of Zee Interactive Learning Systems, has tied up with Pune University to offer courses which will assist students interested in pursuing careers related to the Internet and Information Technology.
The company will also receive valuable inputs from the Taleem Research Foundation (TRF), which is a literary, scientific and charitable society & trust. The courses are Diploma in Internet Application (DIA) and Advanced Diploma in Convergence Application (ADCA). Students who have completed the 12th standard can apply for DIA while ADCA is reserved for graduates in any field be it Arts, Commerce or Science. Education will be imparted entirely offline.
According to a company spokesperson, ZedCA will offer these courses at its centres in Pune, the Maharashtra belt as well as states in the south like Chennai and Bangalore. DIA will take eight months to complete while ADCA will last for a year. The curriculum has been tailored keeping in mind the rapid change in technological innovations as well as the difficulties faced by aspiring job seekers struggling in a recessionary market. In the beginning ZedCA will invite members from the Pune University faculty to conduct classes. Later on the company will form its own team of instructors under the guidance of the University.
The courses will equip students with Internet and Convergence tools and applications. One of the benefits is that credits gained could be used to bypass preliminary stages of courses offered abroad. Besides after completing ADCA students could apply for postgraduate studies abroad fulfilling the 16-year study requirement in countries like America.
The courses are in the form of three trimesters. After finishing one a student if he/she chooses can take a break for a while and then continue. The completion of each trimester results in the student being rewarded with a certificate. The successful completion of all three trimesters will lead to the award of the Diploma and Advanced Diploma from University of Pune.
Dr Ashok Kolaskar, Vice Chancellor – University of Pune, had this to say about the collaborative effort; “This tie up will enable the University to offer professional courses to students through the wide network of Zed CA centers across the country. This collaboration is part of our collaborative approach with leading Institutions and international universities to achieve great success in various academic fields, both teaching and research.” Students interested will have to hurry as admissions close on the tenth of next month. The fees are Rs 25,000 for DIA and Rs 35,000 for ADCA.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
