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PM urges TV Channels to aid Swachh Bharat programme, Big B in new promo
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister today urged television channels to participate pro-actively in the Swachh Bharat programme as creativity may lead to new ideas and new slogans which can inspire people.
Referring to the Short Films Competition on the theme “Swachh Bharat” announced recently by the Government, he said during his monthly ‘Monthly ki Baat’ on All India Radio that filmmakers no longer needed large studios or sets to shoot a film, and this could be done even on a mobile phone.
He said the winning entries will be announced in a special felicitation programme to be held in New Delhi on 2 October 2016 which also marks Gandhi Jayanti.
Entries have been invited by the National Film Development Corporation on behalf of Information & Broadcasting Ministry by 10 September 2016.
The film can be made in Hindi, English or any of the listed official languages of India.
The Best Film will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh and a certificate. Three Second Best Films will be awarded Rs 5 lakh each and six Third Best Films will be awarded Rs 2 lakh each.
Meanwhile, the NFDC today aired a commercial on Doordarshan where megastar Amitabh Bachchan urged young filmmakers to participate enthusiastically in the Festival. In his characteristic touch of humour, he said he hoped he would be able to go to one of the filmmakers one day to seek a role for himself.
To participate in the competition, interested applicants can log onto www.nfdcindia.com or write to sbsff@nfdcindia.com
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.
