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Zee Kannada ushers in Ugadi with fresh content line-up
MUMBAI: Zee Kannada went big with the festival celebrations ahead of this year’s Ugadi. This Kannada new year witnessed the channel teasing the audience with a glimpse of what’s in store within their favourite shows and characters as part of a content refresh exercise. It was done with style and grandeur during the Zee Kutumba Utsava event which saw all the Zee Kannada characters come together to celebrate Ugadi.
Staying true to the brand philosophy, 'Bayasid'dha Bāgilu Tegiyōṇa', which translates to “Open Doors to Possibilities”, to inspire viewers, especially women, to take initiatives and rise above circumstances to craft their own destiny, the content refresh exercise will see Zee characters surging ahead in quest of their goals which the audience has been curiously looking forward to over 100s of episodes. The channel also announced the launch of two new fictions whose lead characters reflect the channel’s brand philosophy. The Zee Kutumba Utasava also saw the powerful Naari Shakti of Zee Kannada unveil the specially crafted promos which gave the audience a glimpse of the ‘high points’ that are coming their way.
Based on the insights from extensive consumer research, Zee Kannada’s content refresh aims to provide entertaining content to its audience that they are most expecting and cater to their anticipation. This content refresh exercise includes inducing radical developments in the storylines of Kamali, Paaru, Gattimela, Jothe Jotheyali, Sathya and Naagini 2, along with the announcement of the launch of two new fiction shows, Hitler Kalyana and Puttakkana Makkalu that will keep viewers glued to the channel during the upcoming competitive season of IPL and other competition IPs.
The channel has also crafted six brand ident films that reflect the Kannadathana from across the length and breadth of Karnataka. The films are aimed to trigger the pride of being Kannadigas through a beautiful and honest portrayal of various cultural levers and connecting them with Zee Kannada’s brand philosophy of Bayasida Baagilu Tegeyona.
The campaign breaks with an extensive multimedia plan, for over 12 weeks, covering the length and breadth of Karnataka, ensuring a top-of-mind recall amongst its audience.
Zee Kannada and Zee Picchar business head Raghavendra Hunsur said, “The guiding philosophy at Zee Kannada has always been to bring in fresh and differentiated content to our viewers. With the launch of the two fiction shows and the newly curated high points for the current series, we hope to further heighten the entertainment quotient for our viewers.”
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.
