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IBF AGM in New Delhi this evening
The contentious issue of service tax on broadcasters is expected to figure prominently on the agenda of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation, which holds its annual general meeting in New Delhi this evening.
The Foundation is also likely to discuss the Convergence Bill, cable piracy and the IBF report on Tam-Intam, tabled recently. The IBF recently barred airtime sellers and production houses from becoming board members in the association. At an EGM held in the last week of October 2001, the Foundation decided to bar these from becoming primary members too, in order to focus on major issues faced by broadcasters. Today’s AGM could make a start in this direction by taking up the matter of protecting broadcasters’ interests against payment defaults by ad agencies, a long pending issue.
The contentious issue of five per cent service tax on broadcasting services could well rank high on today’s agenda. The central government had, earlier this year, issued a notification widening the service tax net by adding 15 new services, which include MSOs and broadband players. The IBF is piloting a representation to the government that the recepient of the service (ad agencies apart from others) should also shoulder the additional tax burden.
The Foundation may also have another issue to look at if it takes a lead from I&B minister Sushma Swaraj’s comments yesterday. Addressing a round table discussion on broadcasting rights and responsibilities in Chennai on Tuesday, Swaraj said that the IBF should identify an ideal mix of public service and commercial broadcast and look at wider issues as well.
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.
