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DD Mumbai bags top honours at first ever DD awards
Doordarshan Kendra Mumbai asserted its might among its peers at the recently held Doordarshan Awards 2001 by walking away with the cream of the honours.
It shared the major DD award with DDK New Delhi as the Best Kendra of the year 2001. DDK Mumbai also bagged the award for the Best TV Show Tak Dhina Dhin produced by Neena Raut, for its 200th episode. It also won the best youth programme Option, produced by Sharan Birajadar.
Held for the first time in the 42-year history of the pubcaster, the Doordarshan Awards are given for programmes produced by the regular employees of Kendras across the country termed ‘inhouse productions’. Awards were also given away to employees of the public broadcaster working in any capacity other than producing programmes, that is, allied services of Doordarshan. The awards aim to select and promote in house programmes of thematic, aesthetic and technical excellence and to encourage in house talent from among regular DD staff. The award consists of a trophy and prize money of Rs 25,000 in each category.
The event to mark the awards ceremony, held at the Siri Fort auditorium in New Delhi, was produced by DDK Mumbai too. Titled Geetanjali, the show, anchored by Tom Alter and Mrinal Kulkarni featured old film songs based on the nine Indian rasas. A 40 strong troupe of artistes including Sudesh Bhosale, Suresh Wadkar and Sadhana Sargam were flown down to Delhi for the event, an official DD release says.
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.
