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LOTR is the UK’s favourite book: BBC survey
MUMBAI: J R R Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings has been voted the UK’s favourite novel in The BBC Big Read. As part of the BBC’s continued commitment to celebrating and encouraging reading, a free copy of the winning novel will be sent to every secondary school in the UK.
The Peter Jackson movies have reinvigorated interest in Tolkein’s work. A special announcing the same aired on BBC Two from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The other novels in the top five list were Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams and Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling.
750,000 votes have been received for The Big Read Top 21. Of the 21 novels in competition The Lord of the Rings received 23 per cent of the votes. Pride and Prejudice and His Dark Materials received 18.1 per cent and 8.4 per cent respectively.
BBC Two Controller Jane Root was quoted in an official release saying, “Our ambition for The Big Read was to excite people of all ages about a wide variety of literature from favourite children’s books to classic reads to fantasy novels. Over the past year, hundreds of schools and many thousands of students throughout the UK have taken part in Big Read activities and we’re delighted that we’re able to reward their enthusiasm with this unique donation.
“Sending one free copy of The Lord of the Rings to all secondary schools means every young person in the country will have access to the book which the British people have claimed as their best-loved novel of all time. We hope that through their engagement with this one book, many young people will discover the magic of fiction, and go on to be life-long lovers of literature.”
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.
