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Zee conducts Republic Day drive around ‘Mulk’
MUMBAI: Republic Day is the time to wear your patriotism on your sleeve. And if it is a patriotic programme like Zee TV’s new show Mulk, it offers a promo opportunity with the proper messages going out.
Zee TV did just that when it undertook a special cleanliness drive across five cities on Sunday (26 January) to mark the occasion. The effort was to ensure the serial’s theme of patriotism be emphasised.
The five cities targeted were Mumbai, Delhi, Meerut, Ludhiana and Ghaziabad. In Mumbai, the locations chosen were Chowpatty, Bandra, Juhu and Lokhandwala, among others.
“It has been noticed that lots of flags lie on the streets in the evening after the Republic Day celebrations. We felt that we should create awareness about the fact that dishonouring the national flag could invite punishment. We spoke to several young children and even distributed Mulk T-shirts to the volunteers,” says a Zee TV spokesperson.
The volunteers went across to each of these locations to pick up the flags, help the civic administration give the place a face lift as also send out the message of patriotism and cleanliness to the people in the five cities where this campaign was held, the spokesprerson said. These flags were later handed over to the respective municipal corporations.
Mulk a saga of three friends set during the partition era
Mulk,, a serial on the effects of partition on the lives of three friends and their relationship during those days, was seen as an ideal programme to evoke the right spirit on Republic Day. Mulkprofesses to showcase the the triumph of the human spirit over all tribulations. The serial runs on Zee TV Sunday-Wednesday at 10:30 pm.
The story begins in a pre-partition era, in Sheikhpura, a small town near Lahore. The tie between the families of Kulbhushan, Rajender Singh, and Peer Mohammed is a reflection of the friendship and fraternity that exists in the town.
The riots that engulf the country after partition not only snatched away friends from each other but also tore families apart. Mulk is all about the lives of these interconnected families, of separations and reunions across time that encompasses different generations.
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.
