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Modi lauds AIR for ‘Mann Ki Baat’ regional language broadcasts, TV channels for promoting Swachh Bharat
NEW DELHI: All India Radio and television channels came in for praise for different reasons by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his monthly Mann Ki Baat broadcast today.
Modi was particularly grateful that AIR had chosen to translate his broadcasts in regional languages with radio announcers reading them out on the same night at 8 pm from different regional kendras all over the country.
“I know it is not my voice, but what the listeners hear are my views and I am grateful to AIR for taking this initiative,” Modi said.
He particularly referred to a recording message in an earlier broadcast by a young girl from Kannur Kendra in Kerala and praised the AIR Kendra there for inviting that young girl to award her and take part in a discussion on the subject she had raised.
Modi encouraged more kendras of AIR to organise similar discussions as this would help increase people’s participation.
Modi also praised several television channels for the manner in which they took up the Swachh Bharat Mission and promoted it.
He particularly lauded channels like the India Today Group, NDTV, ABP News, Zee TV, and ETV, apart from several newspapers all over the country for taking up this cause.
He referred in particular to the Clean India awards of the India Today group, which had revealed to him innovative ways in which people were taking up this Mission, and the ageing Ramoji Rao for his enthusiasm through his television channels and newspapers for promoting this cause.
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.
