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Indian Sports Journalism Awards announce nominees
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MUMBAI: The Sports Journalists’ Federation of India has shortlisted contenders for the inaugural Indian Sports Journalism Awards. The award function will be held at the `Velocity’ Mumbai, on 4 June. The shortlists for Hindi, Marathi and Bengali, photography, television features will be announced in the next three weeks. |
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The nominations are for 14 categories in the Indian Sports Journalism Awards 2004-05. The contenders for the prestigious Indian sports writer of the year award are India Today senior editor Sharda Ugra, The Hindu sports editor Nirmal Shekar and The Times of India principal correspondent Akshay Sawai.  Michael Ferreira, former World Amateur Billiards champion, Ramachandra Guha, the eminent sociologist, historian and writer and prominent media personality, and Chandra Nayudu, daughter of the legendary Indian cricketer CK Nayudu, and retired professor of English, met at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai and finalised the shortlisting process. The over close to 500 entries from around the country had been sent. In a joint statement the judges said, “Indian sports journalism is certainly alive and well. The general standard was very good and it is a shame that only one person can be declared a winner. We did not expect such a challenging and interesting job. And what a response. We enjoyed doing it, but found it difficult too. It’s a farsighted view of the SJFI to have incorporated awards for regional languages like Hindi, Marathi and Bengali.” The Hindustan Times’ Kadambari Murali has been short listed for News Story and cricket writer. Another contender from Hindustan Times Dhiman Sarkar also figures in News Story and Football writer. Anand Vasu of Wisden Asia Cricket and Cricinfo has been short listed for Cricket writing and Interview Q & A. Mid Day sports editor Clayton Murzello figures in ofbeat, interview Q & A.The Times of India V. Anand has also been short-listed for offbeat and Athletics writing. The Statesman’s Elora Sen and Mario Rodrigues have been short listed for feature story awards. PTI’s Biju Babu Cyriac and Biswajit Brahma and AFP’s Kuldip Lal have been short listed for the best of agency stories. |
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Indian Sports Writer: Akshay Sawai (The Times of India), Nirmal Shekar (The Hindu), Sharda Ugra (India Today) News Story: Dhiman Sarkar (The Hindustan Times), Nirmal Shekar (The Hindu), Kadambari Murali (The Hindustan Times) Feature Story: (Elora Sen, The Statesman,), Sharda Ugra (India Today), Mario Rodrigues (The Statesman) Offbeat Story: Clayton Murzello (Mid Day), V. Anand (The Times of India), Akshay Sawai (The Times of India) Interview (Q & A): G. Krishnan (The Deccan Herald), Anand Vasu (Wisden Asia Cricket), Clayton Murzello (Mid Day) Specialist Writing: Athletics: Sudheendra Tripathi (Indian Express), Football: Stanislaus D’Souza (The Times of India), Dhiman Sarkar (The Hindustan Times) Hockey Writer (Darryl Crasto (The Times of India), V. Narayanswamy (Deccan Herald) Tennis: Akshay Sawai (The Times of India), Nirmal Shekar (The Hindu), Shailendra Awasthi (Indian Express) Cricket Writer: Anand Vasu (Wisden Cricket Asia), Sharda Ugra (India Today), Kadambari Murali (The Hindustan Times) Cue Sports: R. Satya (Deccan Herald) Best of news agencies: Kuldip Lal (AFP), Biswajyoti Brahma (PTI), and Biju Babu Cyriac (PTI) Best of the web: Ivan Crasto (Rediff.com), Tapan Joshi (cricketnext.com), 3. Harish Kotian & Deepti Patwardhan (Rediff.com) Best Headline: After Kohinoor, UK wants Indian Silver (The Times of India), Poor Little Rich Board (Mid Day), The Great Indian Excuses (PTI). |
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.
