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Race for TRPs is blood pressure raising points, says Prasar Bharati chairman
MUMBAI: Describing the race for TRPs among some private television news channels as ‘Blood Pressure Raising Points (BRPs)’, Prasar Bharati chairman A Surya Prakash kicked off the two-day conference of the Global Communication Association (GCA).
Communication professionals from across the world gathered in Bengaluru for the conference with the theme of ‘Breaking Barriers – Creating new communication horizons’.
Prakash went on to say that certain news channels keep having eight to 10 panelists debating at the top of their voices. “No other country in the world seems to have this kind of a maara maari on TV news channels,” he said and called upon the viewers to switch over to Doordarshan, if they get fed up with the private channels.
“We do not ape the west, we are very much Indian,” he remarked describing the ethos at Doordarshan.
Pointing out that mass media in general has been experiencing an exponential boom in the country, Prakash called for ‘our own solutions’ to meet the challenges of growth.
Echoing the same sentiments, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah, who was the chief guest, said some electronic media channels appeared to be in a great race to meet deadlines. This was why, he said, sometimes the viewers might not see anything big in the so-called “breaking news”.
He suggested that steps should be taken to curb monopolies among media houses and even private treaties. The role of the Press Council should be redefined to cover TV news channels as well, he said while emphasising that he always stood for the freedom of the press and constructive criticism.
In his keynote address, Shell India former director of corporate affairs and communication consultant Deepak Mukherji, dealt with challenges in breaking barriers of communication and said the professionals ought to differentiate between trustable and trustworthiness. “We all seem to be experts in publicising promises and not what is delivered,” he said and called for an increased focus on the trustable element rather than talking about mere transparency among corporates.
Conference curator and organising secretary Krishna B Mariyanka said the two-day event will focus discussions on faltering media social responsibilities, communication CSR through media, news distribution in social media, communication for PPPs, sustainability communication, branding, new digital journalism, challenges in multi-cultural communication, political communication, digital privacy, healthcare communication, and so on.
Achievers in various sectors will be felicitated with the AP Chowdappa memorial award for excellence in communication at the end of the conference.
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.
