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Work begins on new Vijayawada DD Kendra for Andhra Pradesh
NEW DELHI: The Government yesterday confirmed that it had received a proposal to create an interim set-up at the regional kendra of Doordarshan in Vijayawada to cater to the cultural and economic identities of Andhra Pradesh following bifurcation of the state.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar informed Parliament yesterday that the proposal had been received from the DD Kendra at Hyderabad to start, on an interim basis, a two hour terrestrial transmission from 5 pm to 7 pm everyday including a 15 minute Telugu news bulletin.
The rest 22 hours will be relayed from DDK Hyderabad, since DDK Vijayawada is currently only a programme generating facility (PGF).
Earlier, DD sources had told indianlevision.com that the aim would be to ultimately turn the Vijayawada Kendra into a 24-hour Kendra because the Hyderabad Kendra would become a part of the new state Telangana.
Consequently, Doordarshan has started planning production and transmission facilities that are similar to its Kendra in Hyderabad.
Doordarshan has already taken an initiative to upgrade the existing facilities of Doordarshan Kendra at Vijayawada which presently has one 150 square metre studio and a teleport satellite uplinking facility.
Doordarshan director general Tripurari Sharan and additional director general VK Jain recently visited the Vijayawada Kendra and discussed widespread plan for its upgradation with engineering and programme officers. Sharan asked officers to fast-track its upgradation plan and complete it in a time bound manner, directing Jain to personally monitor the progress.
The DD Saptagiri channel running from Hyderabad will be renamed DD Telangana and the DD Saptagiri channel will be retained for residual state of Andhra Pradesh.
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.
