News Headline
Doordarshan partners SBI to launch payment gateway for ad agencies
NEW DELHI: In a pioneering move, Doordarshan today became the first Indian television channel to introduce an online payment gateway for advertisers that will ensure greater efficiency and transparency.
Under the system, each advertiser dealing with Doordarshan will have its own page through which it will not only be able to know its status of payments but also make these payments.
Although set up in collaboration with the State Bank of India, the system permits advertisers to transfer the payments through their own banks using the gateway.
Doordarshan automated its commercial operations for DD National channel in the Phase-I in January this year. The process for DD’s other channels is under implementation. The move has helped integrate various steps involved in executing commercials from booking to scheduling and billing.
However, the last step of payment receipt is still manual. Doordarshan has integrated the payment gateway and with its traffic and billing system would facilitate all clients and agencies to make online payment by directly going to Doordarshan’s portal from the place of their convenience at any time of the day.
The new system was inaugurated today by Prasar Bharati member (finance) Rajeev Singh in the presence of DD director general C Lalrosanga, Engineer-in-Chief CBS Maurya, ADG (CRD) Mukesh Sharma, ADG (commercial & sales) Inderjeet Kaur, ADG Deepa Chandra, ADG PA Naidu, and DDG (commercial) CK Jain, who also explained the system along with State Bank of India main branch chief manager (e-banking) DN Sharma.
Jain said the first phase would cover Delhi and Mumbai, whereas the second phase will cover other centres. It will also facilitate an Online Deal and Release Order Booking System (ODROBS).
Sharma said the multi-operating payment system could be used for sending payments from other banks as well. Each ad agency would have a name and password to log on through the DD portal and then go on with checking status or making payments. This facilitates collection of fees from ad agencies and is completely automated with options of NEFT, RTGS, and draft with provision for updating etc.
Doordarshan has so far been facing huge problem of reconciling its accounts because of entire manual operations, which leave a lot of agencies and clients dissatisfied. This has also resulted in several disputes and also in arbitrations with agencies.
It was pointed out on the occasion that Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar has also been emphasising on use of IT in both Doordarshan and AIR for bringing efficiency into the system.
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.
