News Headline
Scientist Newton is the ‘Greatest Briton’ according to BBC World viewers
LONDON: Scientist Sir Isaac Newton has been voted the Greatest Briton by viewers of BBC World, following a 10-week series that profiled some of the most eminent British men and women in history, a company release stated yesterday
The results will be broadcast in Great Britons: The World’s Greatest Briton on BBC World at 7.40 pm this evening and repeated thrice tomorrow, at 2.40 am, 2.40 pm and 11.40 pm.
The man who calculated the theory of gravity won the poll with 21.4 per cent of votes, beating Sir Winston Churchill, who attracted 17 per cent. Princess Diana of Wales came third, with 13 per cent votes.
The BBC release said, Tristram Hunt, the historian who presented the Great Britons profile of Newton, said he was delighted that his choice had won. “Newton’s achievements affected all mankind and I think it is a proper reflection of his genius that a global audience has voted him the Greatest Briton. Indeed, it was Newton’s advances in physics — his understanding of gravity and planetary motion — that have sent satellites into space and allowed this series to be beamed round the globe. The world has now repaid the favour.”
Great Britons was launched in June on BBC World. It followed a highly successful series on BBC Television in the UK, in which viewers selected Sir Winston Churchill as their Greatest Briton. BBC World’s global version kept the original shortlist of 10, which had been chosen through a separate public vote.
Commissioning editor of Great Britons for BBC World Narendhra Morar said, “One of the reasons for Newton’s victory was that the poll was conducted online and he would appeal to younger, computer-savvy voters. It’s fascinating that our viewers chose a different greatest Briton to the original series, although Churchill still had a strong following and actually came first among BBC World’s ex-pat viewers.”
The final BBC World result is as follows:
Name and year Percentage votes
Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) 21.4
Sir Winston Churchill (1874- 1965) 17
Princess Diana (1961- ’97) 13
William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616) 12.1
Charles Darwin (1809 -’82) 10.1
John Lennon (1940 – ’80) 8
Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-’59) 7.9
Elizabeth I (1533 – 1603)
6.1
Oliver Cromwell (1599 – 1658) 2.2
Horatio Nelson, Viscount Nelson (1758 – 1805) 2.1
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.
