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DD b’cast partner of CMS Vataran filmfest
NEW DELHI: Doordarshan today decided to become the broadcast partner for the 9th CMS VATAVARAN Environment & Wildlife International Film Festival and Forum later this year.
This follows a memorandum of understanding with the Centre for Media Studies for the bi-annual festival to be held from 2 to 6 November 2017 in New Delhi.
The festival and forum addresses contemporary environment and wildlife issues through the medium of films, forums, workshops, field visits, food festival, nature bazaar, etc.
The 9th edition will once again delve into the issues of climate change and water, under the theme:‘Conservation4Water’.
Films entering the film festival will compete for 22 awards in Indian section and 21 awards in International section.
DD Director General Supriya Sahu said “Doordarshan has contributed significantly towards the acceleration of socio-economic change, promotion of national integration and stimulation of scientific temper in the country. Being a Public Service Broadcaster, we are mandated to carry messages on preservation of environment and ecological balance. With wide number of channels and regional network, Doordarshan has an extensive reach and coverage and to promote conservation awareness, we will support and collaborate with the festival in November 2017 in all possible ways and all the Award winning environment films will be telecast by Doordarshan”.
CMS DG P N Vasanti said “CMS VATAVARAN uses the medium of films to engage and widen the debate on complex environment and wildlife issues. With this partnership, award winning CMS VATAVARAN films, both national and international, can be shared to wider audiences of Doordarshan. We are glad to be signing this MOU and are looking forward to this partnership with Doordarshan in this conservation mandate”
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.
