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“Soap” to be added as a category at Festival Rose d’Or
CANNES: It’s international TV awards announcement time at the Palais de Festivals in Mipcom. After the iemmys, now it is the turn of the Festival Rose d’Or, which is being held this year in Lucerne in Switzerland.
Rose D’Or CEO Georges Luks announced that a new category “Soap” was being added to the seven existing ones, comedy, sitcom, variety, game show, reality show, music and arts and specials.
The shows apart, even artistes are being recognised revealed Luks. “There will be awards for best female and male comedian, best sitcom actor and actress, best soap actor and actress, and best game show host,” he said. Each of the winners will be awarded a Golden Rose.
He added that he was confident that the new categories will have an impact on the public interest in the Festival D’Or. “We have been getting positive feedback for the changes we have made as the Rose d’Or evolves,” he pointed out.
For the first time in its 43 year old history, the Festival, which will be held from 13 April 2004 to 18 April, is being held in Lucerne, in the heart of Switzerland.
He disclosed that high class comedy and music events have been lined up during the festival. An International Entertainment Summit has been planned for 17 April to be attended by global high power figures from media, finance, politics and science.
The organisation is organising a Trendsetting day in cooperation with SBS, the second largest private broadcaster in Switzerland. A competition for TV formats will be held whereby entrants can make live presentations of formats on paper. The winner will be given the Rose d’Or Brainstation of the Year Award. Two panels, How to pitch a concept to a broadcaster and Current Television Trends in TV programming will be held on the Trendsetting day. It has partnered with the United Nations to host the Bal De La Rose d’Or will follow the awards gala on 17 April.
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.
