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Prasar Bharati plans to enter the European market, says Sircar
NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati plans to enter the European market in a move to expand its footprint and present the Indian voice to international audiences.
Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar told the Global Media Forum in Bonn that: “Our international forays have been made by private journalism to a small extent. It is time for the public broadcaster to start thinking of collaboration with the best in the market and come out to present the voice of India or the voices of India. In fact that is the reason why I am here.”
He said the pubcaster was thinking in terms of going in for European penetration.
Meanwhile, he reiterated his demand for greater freedom to work and said the present government was aware of his views in this regard. “Whatever I have said is there in public discourse. I will not like to rake it up here. This is not the place. My stand or our stand on autonomy, professional autonomy, the autonomy to operate, has been made clear,” he said.
Sircar, who gave his views on ‘The future of journalism and the role of international broadcasters’ during a session of media summit, held “typical bureaucratic mentality” responsible for people’s perception of Prasar Bharati being a government controlled body.
“That perception is because all the members of Prasar Bharati are government servants,” he said. “So they carry their mentality with them. I was also a government servant. I told them that I took an oath to remain at arm’s length (with the government) and if I have paid the price for it, why don’t you guys come forward,” he added.
“There is a spirit in Prasar Bharati. It is not pro-government or anti-government. It is a question of taking up the facts as they come,” he said.
“As I said a rape has to be reported. But we report not the rape and sensational part, we report the retribution part, the punishment part. That is the important part,” he said.
Sircar said it is for the nation to make up its mind for bringing in changes to ‘doordarshan’ video service run by Prasar Bharati.
“We raised the issue (in the conference) of India’s public broadcaster not being international class. Our problem and our identity and our task were completely different – the aim was to hold India together. A very typical country with 24 languages and 600 dialects. Our task was to hold the India together through ‘Vividh Bharati’ (a radio service) through a common discourse, through a common shred experience. We have done that. It is now time for India to move outwards,” he said.
During the conference, the CEO lauded the role of social media in bringing about the changes in people’s thinking.
“Social media played a major role in that (crowd sourcing in general elections) aspect. That crowd source views or open views what was later turned out to be one of those instruments that brought majority of people (out to cast their votes in recently concluded general elections),” Sircar added.
A large number of participants including journalists from many countries took part in this first meet organized by the Deutshe Welle.
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.
