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ZEE Entertainment donates ambulances, PPE kits and 80,000 daily meals to Tamil Nadu
MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE), in line with its national level CSR drive against Covid2019, officially handed over critical healthcare equipment to the state of Tamil Nadu, further strengthening its fight against Covid2019. In the presence of the chief minister, Edappadi K Palaniswami, the first batch of 18 ambulances were handed over to the Tamil Nadu government. Additionally, ZEE has donated 12,500 PPE Kits, 5,000 face shields, surgical masks, and sanitizers each to the state.
The company will be utilizing the sanctioned CSR budget (for the fight against Covid2019) to provide the following essentials to the state:
Ambulances – 45 ambulances donated to the state.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Kits – 12,500 kits donated to the state.
Plastic Face Shields: 5,000 plastic face shields donated to the Chennai police force.
Surgical Face Masks: 5,000 surgical face masks donated to the Chennai police force.
Sanitizers: 5,000 sanitizers donated to the Chennai police force.
Over and above the support towards healthcare relief, ZEE has also partnered with Akshaya Patra Foundation to provide 80,000 daily meals which will support migrants across the city of Chennai for a month.
Speaking on this initiative, ZEE MD & CEO Punit Goenka said, “ZEE is committed to providing strong support to the Tamil Nadu government in its fight against Covid2019, with a key focus on strengthening the overall healthcare infrastructure. We also stand together with the dedicated police force of Chennai who has been at the frontline in this fight against the pandemic.”
In the handover ceremony presided by the CM Edappadi K Palaniswami, the government expressed its gratitude to ZEE for handing over the first set of 18 ambulances for Covid2019 relief. The CM also acknowledged the gesture from ZEE on his official twitter handle.
In its national level CSR drive towards enhancing the country’s healthcare infrastructure against Covid2019, ZEE had committed to donating 240+ ambulances, 46,000+ PPE kits, 90+ oxygen humidifiers, and 6,00,000 daily meals. The donation to the state of Tamil Nadu is in line with this national level CSR drive.
At a national level, ZEE has also financially supported over 5000 daily wage earners working directly or indirectly with the company. Further, 3400+ employees have contributed towards PM CARES Fund. The amount generated was matched by ZEE, and the collective proceeds were donated to PM CARES Fund.
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.
