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DD working to woo top producers for its nationals, Jaitley chairs meeting
NEW DELHI: Several producers who have made some memorable series for Doordarshan have promised to return if certain changes are made in the pattern of the financial agreements with them.
This assurance was given by the producers to Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley, Minister of State (MOS) Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and secretary Bimal Julka at a meeting initiated by Doordarshan director general Vijaylaxmi Chhabra. Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar and senior advisor Brig VAM Hussain were also present.
The Minister said that the pubcaster wanted to revive the trust of the producers in DD and come back, and this was generally welcomed by those present.
Hats Off Productions owner JD Majethia and also co-chairman of Association Of Motion Pictures & Television Programme Producers (AMPTPP) says, “The agenda of the meeting was that in the last 10-12 years with the birth of new general entertainment channels (GECs), DD had somewhere lost its glory. Now, DD wants to revive and expand its content portfolio with the help of top-line producers like us and bring back the long lost glory on DD.”
The producers said that the revenue sharing model of DD was not acceptable to them as the marketing was handled by the broadcaster. Issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights were also raised since it was said that DD reserved the copyright of the works of the producers and they wanted an examination of this.
On behalf of DD, they were assured that the pubcaster would examine the schemes under which serials are obtained since it has already stopped commissioning of programmes.
It is learnt that consequent to the meeting, DD has re-drafted the guidelines relating to the self-financing scheme and will await the remarks of the producers before giving it a final shape.
The meeting was attended by producers namely – BP Singh (Fireworks Productions), Sunjoy Wadhwa (Sphereorigins chairman and managing director), Abhimanyu Singh (Contiloe Entertainment) and others. It is also learnt that Chhabra visited Mumbai to meet some producers in this connection.
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.
