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Prasar Bharati asks for additional Rs 112 crore for supplementary demands
NEW DELHI: An additional sum of Rs 111.98 crore has been sought by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for providing additional grants-in-aid – General of Rs 1.98 crore, and grants-in-aid – salaries Rs 110 crore for Prasar Bharati.
The demands have been made in the Supplementary Demands for Grants tabled in Parliament by Jaitley, who also holds the Information and Broadcasting portfolio.
A sum of Rs 1.5 crore has been demanded for meeting additional expenditure towards providing grants-in-aid – general for National and International Children’s Film Festival under the Plan Scheme; Promotion of Indian cinema through film festivals and film markets in India and abroad.
Grants-in-aid – salaries totalling Rs 1.85 crore has also been sought towards providing to the Children’s Film Society, India (Rs 4 lakh), Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata (Rs 83 lakh), Indian Institute of Mass Communications (Rs 80 lakh) and Press Council of India (Rs 18 lakh).
In the case of these three demands, the Minister said, “As savings are available in the same section of the grant, a token supplementary is sought.”
A sum of Rs 5.7 crore has been demanded for upgradation of the Siri Fort Complex (Rs 40 lakh), building infrastructure of Films Division (Rs 50 lakh), and the Electronic Media Monitoring Centre (Rs 4.8 crore). The Minister has said, “Taking into account the savings of Rs 2.49 crore available in the same section, a technical supplementary for the balance amount of Rs 3.21 crore is sought as equivalent savings are available in the revenue section of the grant.”
In addition, the supplementary demands for grants have sought a sum of Rs 3.24 crore as capital outlay.
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.
