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Sports promotion: Rathore averse to leaning on govt
NEW DELHI: Becoming an achiever gives a different spirit to one’s personality. But, even accepting a challenge is strength in itself even if one loses.
Minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore, a former shooting champion, said this at the concluding session of the one-day Sports Conclave organized by Doordarshan Sports to discuss ways in which India can become a sports superpower.
It was telecast live by interlinking various kendras throughout the day on 28 May 2017. The meet held at the Central Production Centre of Doordarshan in south Delhi had several experts including sports writers and even former sportspersons discussing various subjects.
It was inaugurated in the morning by Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu and discussions also featured Union sports minister Vijay Goel and sports ministers of different states apart from eminent sports personalities.
To a question, Rathore said sports had to be adaptable and this was evident from the way it had adapted to television. “Use the situation to your advantage and you will find kids are always ready to play.”
Rathore also said that a sportsperson could only succeed if he had family support if one wanted to choose sports as a career. At the same time, it was not necessary to depend on the government for everything. As an example, he said he encouraged the people in his constituency to create a kabaddi team and was surprised when even girls volunteered.
Not merely that, he found some people on their own volunteering either to create smooth grounds, or mow the grass, or do other things that they did on their own. But, all this needed behavioral change and the will power and administrative capability.
To to a question, he said that he had found that as a sportsperson he had tended to become a little eccentric.
The second session Edit Page had eminent sports writers from different publications.
The third session ‘State’ of the Nation had four sports ministers of different states: Chetan Chauhan (Uttar Pradesh); Anil Vij (Haryana), Yashodhara Raje Scindia (Madhya Pradesh), and Arvind Pandey (Uttarakhand).
The next session on ‘India mai hai dum’ featured five figures from the world of badminton from Hyderabad, Jameshedpur, Calicut, Agartala, Pune and other centres of excellence. It was conducted by Ms Ashwini Poonappa.
This was followed by a session on Indian Sports = Today and Tomorrow at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The Making of the Olympians moderated by the renowned Ashwini Nachappa at Central Production Centre Delhi and Doordarshan Kendra Guwahati saw the participation of eminent sportspersons.
Vision 2020 and 2024 at CPC Delhi featured a discussion anchored by Ashwini Nachappa which had Baldev Singh from the Prime Minister’s Task Force, and TFA and Sports Head Mukul Vinayak Choudhari.
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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.
