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B Singh to be director general of AIR
NEW DELHI: A bureaucrat is all set to take over at the helm of country’s radio pubcaster All India Radio (AIR), while sibling Doordarshan remains firmly under control of the government through another bureaucrat.
According to Prasar Bharati sources, B. Singh, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from Tamil Nadu cadre, is all set to take over as the director-general of AIR.
The board of Prasar Bharati, which oversees the functioning of AIR and DD, selected Singh from 20-odd candidates, including some from the corporate world, who had given a shot for the DGs post at AIR.
The top post at AIR had been lying vacant for the past few years in the absence of any full-fledged DG being appointed. At present, Prasar Bharati CEO K S Sarma doubles up as the top honcho of AIR too.
AIR, which crossed the Rs 1000 million revenue mark for the first time last financial year ended 31 March 2003, is being positioned as an organisation that would contribute substantial revenue to the Prasar Bharati kitty.
Singhs candidature has not yet been announced as the government green signal is awaited.
Meanwhile, Navin Kumar, a joint secretary in the department of heavy industries, will be taking over as the DG of Doordarshan.
DD has not been as unfortunate as AIR in the sense that it had a full-fledged DG – S Y Quraishi, albeit for a short period of time – who was shunted out. Reason: reported misunderstanding and differences with the information and broadcasting ministry.
Both Kumar and Singhs candidatures were finalised recently by the Prasar Bharati after a series of interviews.
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.
