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Zee TV’s Ikk Kudi Punjab Di: A gripping tale of resilience!
Mumbai: Meet Heer Kaur Virk, a beautiful, vibrant young woman born into a Jatt family of Punjab. Lovingly called chatori for being a hopeless foodie, this vivacious Sikhni is an aspiring lawyer. Her father is her weakness and strength and has taught her to stand up for what’s right, no matter what! Her biggest priority has always been the well-being of her family and her father. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she marries into the Atwal family. After a life-altering incident turns her world upside down, the show captures Heer’s journey of drawing from her inner strength, confronting injustice, and rising like a phoenix from the ashes. While the beautiful Tanisha Mehta breathes life into the character of Heer, television heartthrob Avinesh Rekhi will play her childhood friend, Ranjeet aka Ranjha who stands by her side and lets no harm ever come her way! Produced by Dome Entertainment, Ikk Kudi Punjab Di will premiere on 21 November and will air every day at 7 PM on Zee TV.
Zee TV business head Aparna Bhosle said, “With Ikk Kudi Punjab Di, we introduce our audience to Heer and her journey of transformation and resilience after a life-altering incident. We’re pleased to collaborate with Dome Entertainment once again and bring forth this inspiring narrative of strength.”
Dome Entertainment producers Mohamad Morani and Mazhar Nadiadwala said, “Our next fiction show with Zee TV captures the pulse of Punjab. It’s an intense family drama capturing Heer’s spirited struggle for asserting her truth and standing up to injustice. With childhood friend Ranjha as the wind beneath her wings, the way she faces adversity with fierce determination will have viewers rooting for her. We have a strong cast on board and we’ve shot extensively across real locations of Chandigarh and Amritsar to ensure authenticity.”
Avinesh Rekhi said, “With a character like Ranjha, I am looking forward to changing the perception of what an ideal man should be like. I believe that the storyline and the narrative of the show is gripping and it will surely touch your hearts. In fact, Ikk Kudi Punjab Di showcases the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of relationships. My fans have showered me with immense love for my previous shows and I hope they support me in this new journey as well.”
Tanisha Mehta said, “I am thrilled to be a part of Ikk Kudi Punjab Di and bring a character like Heer to life. It has been a fascinating experience running through the by lanes of Punjab, shooting beautiful as well as dramatic sequences for the show. It is a gripping tale of love, resilience, and the unbreakable bond of a unique friendship. I believe Heer’s character has been developed very thoughtfully. I am really looking forward to the audience’s reactions to my character as well as this show.”
To witness this magical tale, watch Ikk Kudi Punjab Di, starting 21 November, every day at 7 PM only on Zee TV!
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.
