News Headline
BBC News launches competition for photographer of the year
MUMBAI: UK pubcaster BBC News’ website has launched its BBC News Photographer of the Year 2006 competition today.
Love, Shelter and Rock ‘n’ Roll are among the themes set to inspire budding, amateur and professional photographers in this year’s competition with the winning entry to be voted for by BBC News website readers.
The overall winner will be given the title of BBC News Photographer of the Year and the chance to shoot a photo-based story of their choice to go on display on the BBC News website. There will also be a separate prize given to the photograph that most catches the eye of the BBC News website team.
BBC News Website Picture Editor Phil Coomes said, “Our readers love to look at pictures and this is a chance to see their own work featured on the BBC News website. Last year we had over 12,000 entries, many of which were really strong and made the selection of 12 pictures for each round really tough. The trick is to work around the subject, don’t just go for the obvious and really push your photographic skills.”
The closing dates for entries are:
Shelter (2 August 2006)
Rock ‘n’ Roll (9 August 2006)
Uniform (16 August 2006)
Technology (23 August 2006)
Love (30 August 2006)
Look up (6 September 2006)
Following the closing date for each theme, the 12 best pictures will be selected by the BBC News picture desk and displayed in a picture gallery on the site.
BBC News Website readers will then be asked to vote for their favourites. The two photos that get the most votes will go forward to the final when readers will decide who is awarded the title of BBC News Photographer of the Year.
To enter the 2006 competition, snappers should send their pictures to the BBC at: yourpics@bbc.co.uk. Competition details can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/inpictures.
Entrants need to put ‘Photographer of the Year’ plus their chosen theme in the subject heading of their email, as well as including their name and some background information on what their image is about. Submissions must be in digital form; ideally Jpeg files with a height or width of around 800 pixels.
Specific questions about the competition can be addressed to the BBC picture editor at the yourpics@bbc.co.uk email address.
The BBC News Website receives around 900 million page impressions every month, and has over 30 million unique users a month.
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.
