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Zee Kannada unveils Adi Lakshmi Purana from 8 December
MUMBAI: Zee Kannada is gearing up to charm its viewers with Adi Lakshmi Purana, one of the channel’s most anticipated fiction launches of the year. The new series premieres on 8 December and will air Monday to Friday at 9 pm, promising a spirited blend of romance, conflict and family intrigue.
Set in a world where old values brush up against modern dreams, the story follows Lakshmi, a bright and determined young woman from a village, whose life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Adi, a sharp and aloof city boy. Their first meeting ends on a sour note, yet fate pulls Lakshmi back into Adi’s orbit, placing her directly under the unyielding rules of his stern grandfather, Dharmaraj.
The drama unfolds through Lakshmi’s efforts to navigate this unfamiliar world and win acceptance, creating a lively clash of ideologies in both the family home and the college campus. The narrative also weaves in the story of Sanjeeva, a simple schoolteacher, and Amrutha, a wealthy and ambitious woman chasing a PhD, who must reconcile their contrasting lifestyles after marriage.
Rajneesh and Asha Ayyanar lead the cast, supported by an ensemble of well-known actors including Manjunath Hegde, Ashok Sharma, Rakshitha, Sushma Nanayya, Malathi Sirdeshpande, Kailash, Jyothi, Savitha Krishnamurthy and Bhagyashri Rao. Each performance strengthens the fabric of the show, adding depth to the relationships that form its core.
With high production values and detailed set design, Adi Lakshmi Purana offers viewers more than a straightforward family drama. It holds up a mirror to what happens when tradition and modernity collide, and how families adapt as expectations shift.
Alongside the launch, Zee Kannada’s popular serial Shree Raghavendra Mahathme will move to a weekend slot, airing every Saturday and Sunday from 6 pm to 7 pm.
Viewers can catch the premiere of Adi Lakshmi Purana on 8 December at 9 pm and tune in to Shree Raghavendra Mahathme every weekend on Zee Kannada.
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.
