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DD ex-presenter Pandey honoured in presence of minister & ex-Prez
NEW DELHI: Former Doordarshan and All-India Radio news reader and presenter Rama Pandey was conferred with the Vishwa Vageshwari Samman for her immense contribution to the arts in an event in Pune.
Given by the Vishwa Hindi Sahitya Parishad, the award was given in the presence of spiritual Guru Shri Shri Ravishankar, former president of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil and the state parliamentary affairs minister Girish Bapat, among others.
A multi- dimensional woman of calibre, Pandey has also served as a journalist with BBC Hindi, Voice of America, CBC Canada and Radio Netherland TV Centre Holland.
Besides this, she has also acted in films, has written, directed and produced many TV soaps. She has been constantly working to help promote the Indian culture not only in India but also abroad. Her TV show Jaane Apna Desh is specifically about India’s forgotten heritage.
Pandey said she was using her experience in theatre, television and films to preserve the traditional arts. “I have recently started a foundation called Rama Theatre Natya Vidya (RATNAV) to protect the oral and folk art traditions of India. The idea is to give unconditional service to bring the folk artists involved in traditional oral arts before vast audiences,” she added.
The Vishwa Vageshwari Samman is bestowed every year in recognition of the service in the field of art, literature, social service, journalism, education, health and cultural heritage.
Born and brought up in Jaipur, Rama started her career as a child artiste. She has played the role of lead actress in many popular plays like Shatranj Ke Mohre, Ashar Ka Ek Din, Bhumija, Kanchanrang, Jasma Odan and Shuturmurg etc. She has written, produced and directed many documentaries, telefilms and TV shows for Doordarshan and various Central and State ministries, PSUs, universities and other organizations. She has written books on women and children.
“Begum Bano Aur Khatoon”, “Faisle” and “Suno Kahani” are her popular books. She has won many national and international awards for her contribution in the field of theatre and television.
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.
