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Prasar Bharati adopts standard operating procedure; admits irregularities
NEW DELHI: A standard operating procedure has been put into place to strengthen the commissioning procedure following complaints of irregularities in Doordarshan’s Urdu and Kashir (Kashmir) channels.
Information and Broadcasting Ministry sources told indiantelevision.com that the aim was to ensure that the gaps are filled and the whole process becomes more transparent.
While declining to give details, the DD sources said that a procedure had been devised for multi-layer examination of every proposal so that any mischief or irregularity at one level can be detected when it goes to the next level and ultimately to the Empowered Committee headed by the Director General herself.
According to Prasar Bharati there have been some allegations of irregularities in the production of programmes and outsourcing them, mainly regarding the in-house productions done at DD Kendra in Srinagar for telecast on the DD Kashir channel.
Some complaints had also been received about DD Urdu programmes and the sources said Prasar Bharati had informed the Ministry that these needed further examination.
DD Kashir was pitched as an exclusive platform catering to the population of Jammu & Kashmir to bridge the gap between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country.
Besides programmes in Urdu language, programmes in other regional languages like Pahari, Gojri, Balti, Hindi, Punjabi and Pushto are also being produced and telecast on Kashir.
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.
