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DD, Prasar Bharati sign MoU with Korea’s Arirang TV
MUMBAI: In September 2012, when Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar led the Indian delegation to the General Assembly of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union at Seoul, he called on the then President of Korea and other dignitaries. Since then the Korean Broadcasting System and Prasar Bharati have on-going partnerships.
However, a new partnership was sought to be made between the Korean International Broadcasting Foundation, Arirang TV and Doordarshan for which Sircar and CEO of Arirang TV Jie-Ae Sohn renewed correspondence recently in November, 2013.
And now the two stations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will allows them to share content. The CEOs from the two stations met in New Delhi on Friday and agreed to an exchange that will foster cultural ties between Korea and India.
The Korean Minister expressed hope for a deeper cultural understanding between India and South Korea. One of the officials was quoted as saying on the Arirang News website, “Through this exchange of broadcasting and broadcasters, we can jumpstart this cultural exchange between two very strong culturally rich countries.”
The deal took shape when ministers from both the countries were meeting to sign an MoU on Mutual Recognition of Digital Signature Certificates for Efficient E-Governance/Cross Border Trade Facilitation. Minister for Communications and Information Technology, India Kapil Sibal and Minister for Science, ICT and Future Planning, Republic of Korea Mun-kee Choi were present there.
Under the agreement, Arirang and Doordarshan aim to make their global channels available on satellite platforms in both nations by 2014. Both parties will even explore co-production opportunities related to matters of mutual interest and share TV programmes in the cultural, educational, scientific, agricultural, entertainment, sports, news and any other possible fields. The MoU will be valid for a period of three years from the date of signature and will be automatically renewed for every following three years, unless terminated by either party by giving a written notice of three months.
Interestingly, as the MoU was being signed, a documentary produced by Arirang TV was being aired on Doordarshan throughout India. The documentary explains the vision for the “creative economy” that President Park Geun-hye has advocated since the very beginning of her term last February.
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.
