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8 Maharashtrian ‘Women of Substance’ awarded by DD Mumbai
MUMBAI: ‘A woman of substance’ is a woman of power, a woman of positive influence and a woman of meaning. A brainchild of Doordarshan ADG Mukesh Sharma, the Sahyadri Hirkani Awards honoured eight distinguished women from across Maharashtra who, with sheer grit and determination, left their stamp in a male-dominated arena and brought the desired social change in society.
The recipients include the third youngest Indian and the second Maharashtrian to scale Mount Everest, Priyanka Mohite; Usha Madavi, who protected 5 acres of jungle area from the forest and land Mafia; Suman More who was chosen to speak at the international Labour Organisation conference held at Geneva; India’s Rugby women’s team captain Vahbiz Bharucha: Nagpur’s additional tribal commissioner, IAS officer and gynaecologist Madhavi Khode Chavre; the first woman Muslim Police Officer from Ahemednagar Shabana Sheikh; Mumbai based activist and founder of the Right to Pee campaign Mumtaz Sheikh; and danseuse Dr.Sandhya Purecha.
Sahyadri Hirkani Sanman Sohala will telecast on DD Sahayadri on the eve of Maharashtra Day, Saturday, 30 April 2016 from 4:30 pm onwards.
The awards were decided by an independent jury and prominent personalities viz., the government of Maharashtra’s, DIG, Legal & Technical -Meera Borawankar; scholar and TV personality Nishigandha Wad, senior journalist Dilip Chaware, senior advocate Jai Vaidya and Sakal’s Mumbai editor Sanjay Awate.
Awards were handed over by composer and singer and member of Prasar Bharati board Anup Jalota; DD’s former DG Vijaylaxmi Chhabra; actress Nishigandha Wad; actor, director and ad guru Bharat Dabholkar, advocate Nirmala Sawant Prabhavalkar, former DG of ploice Sridevi Goel, DIG, Legal & Technical – Meera Borawankar, actor Ramesh Bhatkar, One India One People editor Sucherita Hegde, actress Smita Jaykar and many more including former Hirkani Awardees.
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.
