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CBS’ first social responsibility report
NEW YORK: Viacom owned US broadcaster CBS is doing its best to bring to the fore efforts made in the areas of community outreach, programming and diversity. These have been chronicled in a Social Responsibility Report.
The inaugural edition spans the previous year. It encompasses activities of all CBS divisions, including CBS Entertainment, CBS News, CBS Sports, the Viacom Television Stations Group and UPN.
An official release says that the Social Responsibility Report will be updated periodically, as more information becomes available. CBS chairman and CEO Leslie Moonves adds, “This is a living document that highlights the efforts CBS has made in these important areas. As we continue to make strides in our on-going commitments to community outreach and diversity, we will include that information in later editions.”
In India, CBS shows such as The Guardian air on Hallmark. On the flip side, its shows like Survivor have courted controversy both in India and in the US.
Included in the report are CBS activities in such areas as:
– Diversity initiatives. These include on-camera and behind the scenes mentoring programnmes, workshops and internship opportunities
– Investments CBS/Viacom has made in minority media ownership. One of them is the Quetzal minority investment fund, of which CBS/ Viacom has been the largest investor
– Local public-interest programming like hurricane preparedness, adoption drives, minority issues, health screening and tax help.
-Accessible Media, like closed-captioning and video description.
-Broadcast of public service announcements for causes. They include children’s healthcare, HIV awareness, racial tolerance, scholarship funds for victims of 9/11, alcohol and substance abuse, parenting, violence prevention and hunger/disaster relief
– Broadcasts of US community parades, festivals and fund-raisers. In addition, the broadcaster has highlighted the fact that it has sponsored hundreds of community events in different American localities like food and clothing drives.
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.
