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Zee Keralam delivers gifts at contest winners’ doorstep
MUMBAI: Zee Keralam has rolled out another unique initiative by surprising winners of the Panam Kaykum Maram contest with gift delivery at their doorstep. The contest ran on the channel between 30 November to 5 December. The 420 viewers who answered the questions correctly won pressure cookers which were delivered to their homes. And the lone lucky winner who got all the answers right during the week-long contest won one lakh rupees as a cash prize.
Zee Keralam has also become the first channel in Kerala to undertake such an initiative. For this purpose, the channel operated two vans with its brand name and logo on them to ensure the gist reached the winners securely at their homes. The initiative was designed to honour the viewers who are an integral part of the Zee Keralam family. During Covid2019, the viewers stood with Zee Keralam and their support enabled the channel to climb into the ranks of top Malayalam channels. The prompt delivery of the gifts is a token of respect for those who have taken part in the competition.
Zee Keralam, a new entrant among Malayalam entertainment channels, grabbed the second spot in the fiction category. Earlier, the channel had delivered the gifts of Chembarathi serial saree at the doorstep of the winners. The serial artistes of the channel, Thara Kalyan and Haritha Nair, had paid a visit at the home of a contest winner, which went viral on social media.
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.
