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Akashvani to air English feature ‘Lest We Forget’ on war hero
NEW DELHI: On 25 September, All India Radio (AIR) will broadcast an English feature on 1965 war hero Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid, PVC, of the Indian Army who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The feature titled Lest We Forget will be broadcast at 10 pm on Rajdhani Channel, AIR Delhi and AIR FM Rainbow network.
The feature can also be enjoyed through live streaming available on allindiaradio.gov.in by downloading the web applications for either for Android, iOS or Windows.
To commemorate 50 years of 1965 Indo-Pak War, AIR is continuously broadcasting talks and features both in English and Hindi.
This particular National Programme of Features (English) intends to retell the story of one such brave son of India, soldier no. 239885, who played a pivotal role during a bloody encounter in Khemkaran, which was the site of a major tank battle in 1965.
The 1965 Indo-Pakistani War witnessed the largest tank battle in military history since World War II. Khemkaran is, till today, known as the graveyard of tanks, the area where Pakistani Patton tanks crashed and burnt as they met the solid iron wall of mother India’s sons. This was one of the first instances in modern warfare when an armoured division was beaten back by an infantry regiment. And this was the point where the tide turned towards India.
This programme will attempt to travel back in time to Khemkaran of 1965 to recreate the day when amidst blazing guns and war-cries, Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid, PVC, of the Indian Army who made the ultimate sacrifice.
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.
