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Indian Telly Awards recognize excellence on and behind the TV
MUMBAI: The Indian television Industry turned up in strength at the Fifth Indian Telly Awards Trade Technical Channel and Programming Nite to recognize and celebrate excellence on TV and by people -behind-the-scenes – the technicians. videographers, channel heads, CEOs, actors, scritpwriters, editors, costume designers, documentary-makers came together to give away 64 categories of awards to their peers.
The Technical Awards follow the Popular Indian Telly Awards which were held on 27 Novemeber 2005 to honour excellence by the artistes and shows on the screen between 1 July 2004 and 31 August 2005.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Dr Ramanand Sagar Indian Telly Award for a life time of Technical Excellence to veteran make up artiste Pandhari Juker by the late film and television maker’s son Anand and daughter-in-law Nisha Sagar. The industry stood up en masse and applauded Juker whose career spans five decades having trained more than 70 per cent of the make up artistes today (including Bharat and Mickey Contractor) and has been involved in a slew of DD series and with almost every Balaji Telefilms teleserial.
The evening opened with a welcome address by Indian Telly Awards founder Anil Wanvari who spoke about the quick fire growth of the TV industry and the role that the behind-the-scenes professionals have played in its expansion. “The actors get all the attention and glory, the technicians satisfaction. The Technical, Trade Programming and Channel Telly Awards Nite is an opportunity for the industry to thank and appreciate the efforts they have put in.”
UTV group CEO Ronnie Screwvala, actor Pawan Shankar also highlighted the contribution that TV technicians have made to the growth of the TV industry and narrated key moments when technicians pitched in to save the day.
The awards presentation was followed bv the launch of TV fan portal Tellychakkar.com. The portal gives TV actors, producers, technicians an online platform to stay connected with their fans – both in India and overseas – has news, features, photo galleries, polls, bulletin boards, and even video interviews, news and features online. The launch function was attended by the crème de la crème of the TV industry.
The site is edited by Aparna Joshi and becomes the second of the websites launched by Wanvari and is already generating in excess of two million page views a month. TV fans can log onto Tellychakkar at http://www.tellychakkar.com.
Indiantelevision.com tellychakkar.com and The Indian Telly Awards were set up by media analyst Anil Wanvari. Indiantelevision.com is a television services company and is located at http://www.indiantelevision.com. The Indian Telly Awards are the most recognized Indian television awards in India and are in the fifth year. The Indian Telly Awards Technical Trade Channel and Programming Nite has Maxell as the presenting sponsor.
Sahara One, Tez (from the TV Today Network), Awaaz (part of CNBC TV 18) are the ground sponsors. Mid-Day is the communication partner; Rajasthan Patrika the ground support partner. Lokmat and Punjab Kesari are the print partners.
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.
