News Headline
Goa Governor applauds training undergone by women TV artistes
NEW DELHI: Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, while lauding women who have joined the police or the armed forces, said she was amazed to see the kind of training actresses had to undergo when emulating those who guard the borders.
The Governor was speaking at a function held to mark more than 80 episodes Doordarshan’s serial Ek Lakshay, which is the story of three women who decide, while still in college, to join the army. The three artistes had to undergo rigorous before being selected for the roles.
Sinha felt there was need for more programmes of this nature. At the same time, she said parents should give full support to daughters who wanted to take to the armed forces and not to shirk entering fields, which had been hitherto known as in the male domain.
She stressed that ancient mythology as well as folk tales showed that women had always shown their bravery in times of crisis. In her own case, she said her father had always backed her when she wanted to try out something new.
Ek Lakshay is aired from Monday to Friday from 2.30 pm and the entire week’s episodes are then repeated on Saturday morning on Doordarshan.
At the same time, she said it was necessary to create a social environment that looked upon the woman as a professional and not someone who could be treated lightly or subjected to inhuman behaviour. Women therefore also needed protection along with inspiration.
Deepika Chaudhary, a senior Naval officer, who had helped Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurl the national Tricolour on the ramparts of Red Fort, said it was most important that parents allowed their daughters to study and not stay at home under the pretext that all they had to do was get married and look after the home and bear children.
Producer Karan Anand, who is a known actor for many films including the popular thriller Baby, said he had embarked upon this series because he wanted to make a programme to inspire women to take to newer fields.
Others present at the press meet included artistes Geetanjali Mishra, Priyanka Joshi, and Neha Thakur, who all related the rigorous training they had to undergo along with professionals in the armed forces for the series.
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.
