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Priya Tendulkar passes away
MUMBAI: Actress Priya Tendulkar, best known for the cult series Rajani that aired on Doordarshan in the mid 1980s died following a massive heart attack in Mumbai today. She passed away at her residence at Prabhadevi in Central Mumbai, reports say. Her body was cremated in Mumbai at 7 pm today.
Daughter of noted litterateur and playwright Vijay Tendulkar, the multi-faceted personality was actress, social worker, theatre artist, writer and painter all rolled into one. After making her film debut with Shyam Benegal’s Ankur in 1974, she went on to achieve iconic status with Rajani, a serial which portrayed her as a crusading housewife who battled corruption at all levels.
Her versatility as an actress is evident from the number of serials, movies and plays she acted in. Apart from acting in blockbuster movies like Itihaas , Yug and Damini, she has done innumerable serials like Kisse Miya Biwi Ke, Swayamsiddha, Mahanagar , Kabhi Door Kabhi Paas and Hum Paanch to name a few. Her love for theatre was evident from her roles in plays like Pygmalion, Anji, Kamla, Kanyadaan and Sakharam Binder. She is also the recipient of numerous Maharashtra and Gujarat state Awards .
In the 1990s her passion for political and social issues soon turned her into anchor of highly acclaimed talk shows like Zimmedaar Kaun on SABe TV and The Priya Tendulkar Show on Star Plus which won he Screen-Videocon award for the best talk-show.
As a writer she has four books to her credit – Jyacha Tyacha Prashna a compilation of short stories which won the Damani Puraskar, Janmalela Pratyekala, Panchatarankit and Asahi, a collection of the columns which she wrote for an eveninger which won the Sahitya Parishad Puraskar. Panchtarankit, a collection of essays won the Delhi Katha Puraskar award.
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.
