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Prasar Bharati signs 90 million deal with Insurance Regulatory Development Authority
NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati has decided to step on the gas pedal as revenue is the buzzword in the Corporation’s headquarters here, a la other broadcasting and media organisations. It has just signed a Rs 90 million deal with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) to propagate insurance related issues on both Doordarshan and All India Radio.
When contacted by indiantelevision.com, Prasar Bharati chief executive K S Sarma confirmed the development and said, “This is part of the Corporation’s initiative to tap more government and semi-government business.”
DD and AIR will be airing ad spots, skits and even small features to highlight the various insurance related schemes to the masses, all sponsored by IRDA. The idea is to make people aware of the importance of insurance and the various schemes that are now being offered with the Indian government having permitted entry of foreign insurance companies in the country with some riders.
Prasar Bharati bigwigs, including Sarma and director-general of DD, SY Quraishi held a workshop for IRDA officials at Hyderabad recently to amplify Prasar Bharati’s uniqueness, its reach and, more importantly, its role as a public service broadcasting organisation.
It seems that IRDA got fully convinced to spend a sizeable amount on DD and AIR, though it could have gone to any other mass-based general entertainment satellite channel.
Prasar Bharati officials also admit that the organisation has fallen behind in some way of the annual revenue target, though AIR is expected to cross the Rs 1000 million mark by the time this financial year comes to an end on 31March.
But wouldn’t cricket be a money-spinner for Doordarshan, considering the national broadcaster has bagged the terrestrial rights to the live telecast of all the India matches, semi finals and the final and the remaining matches on a delayed basis? Also, the cricket matches are coming almost free for DD as the marketing agent Nimbus will share ad revenue as per a complicated structure which has DD providing the terrestrial platform for broadcasting the cricket matches.
Prasar Bharati is both worried and elated. Worried because the earnings from the cricket matches would not add to this year’s kitty. Elated, as the cricket revenue will get reflected in the accounting of the year 2003-04 when both DD and AIR can set themselves slightly easier targets.
To meet the challenges posed by changes in the market scenario, Prasar Bharati has taken various steps in order to increase viewership and boost revenue during the coming years. These include improvement in the quality of content and presentation of channels, improvement in the quality of transmission, usage of more flexible rate card to meet challenges of the competitive market environment and introduction of effective system of advertising of Doordarshan’s channels and programmes.
Doordarshan has also created its own marketing set up and a separate Development Communication Division to look after business of various government ministries/departments and Public Sector Undertakings.
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.
