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Prasar Bharati CEO re-elected president of IBF
MUMBAI: Prasar Bharati chief executive officer K S Sarma has been re-elected as president of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) for the fourth consecutive year.
Sarma was elected unanimously at the annual general body meeting of the IBF, which was held in Mumbai yesterday (15 September).
Zee Telefilms vice-chairman Jawahar Goel was elected as vice-president and Eenadu TV director Venkat was elected as the treasurer of the IBF.
In a statement issued, K S Sarma, formerly director general of Doordarshan and presently the CEO of Prasar Bharati, is also the vice president of both the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association, London and the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, Kuala Lumpur.
The Indian Broadcasting Foundation, established six years ago, is the industry body promoting the interests of radio and television broadcasting organizations operating in India.
The media release informs that a significant achievement of the IBF in recent years has been the collection of Rs 5 billion outstanding amount from advertising agencies and clients, with the active support of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI).
As the only broadcast industry body in the country, IBF actively pursues matters pertaining to broadcasting, including foreign direct investment, foreign institutional investment, taxation and other policy issues.
All the main television networks, pay as well as free, are the members of the IBF.
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.
