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Zee’s Jagran to unveil marketing blitz
NEW DELHI: The religious channel market (estimates range between Rs 50 million to Rs 200 million) may not be as big as the entertainment one, but the Subhash Chandra-promoted Zee Telefilms is all set to stir it up.
Zee Telefilms has drawn up an aggressive marketing and promotional campaign for its religious and alternative lifestyle channel, Jagran, launched on 14 January.
Pointing out that distribution is one angle that is being pursued in a planned manner, channel head for Jagran, Anil Anand told indiantelevision.com that some exclusive programming deals too have been sewn up.
“Jagran and T-series have entered into an exclusive content deal wherein the latter would make available some the best singers in its stable in this category as also their devotional music video,” Anand said.
A promotional Jagran van on its rounds
The devotional music videos of singers that would be made available to Jagran by T-Series include those of Lata Mangeshkar, Jagjit Singh, Sonu Nigam, Hariharan, Anoop Jalota and Manhar Udhas.
Over the next couple of months, programmes related to Feng Shui, yoga and alternate medicine too would be introduced in a bid to position the channel as a lifestyle one, with most of the programming taking place in-house.
The promotional blitz is being undertaken as Jagran, according to Anand, is receiving a fairly good response. Quoting TAM data, he says that for one recent programme — an all-night session of singing devotional songs — that was telecast live, Jagran notched up 1.2 TRP amongst all religious channels.
Purists and some disgruntled cable ops may say that such figures don’t make much difference, as the market for this genre is very small, but the Zee Tele management feels otherwise.
At present, India receives more than half a dozen religious channels,
A Jagran flyer targeting the devout
including one in English called God TV. Pointing out that almost 90 per cent of Delhi’s cable ops have been cajoled to show the channel on receivable bandwidth, Anand said that negotiations are also on with Mumbai -based MSOs, including INCablenet and Seven Star, for carriage in the metropolis.
But more than the metros, it is the small towns and cities where the market for a channel like Jagran lies. Not satisfied with 100-odd small cities and towns, Jagran now is showcasing its exclusive content at religious places in North India, which attract over 10 million visitors annually if government data is to be believed.
The Jagran rath or van, carrying Dish TV equipment, parks itself near big religious events to indulge in promotional activities. And, it seems, even the religious-minded don’t mind a bit of materialism.
Apart from these initiatives, there are plans to have Jagran branded gift hampers and CDs on various aspects of life and teachings from Gita.
Who says religion doesn’t pay or cannot be marketed?
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.
