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Star Plus reopens 5.30pm primetime band with Jana Na Dil Se Door
NEW DELHI: Outstanding dues owed to Doordarshan by private parties have increased to a whopping Rs 1648.2 million as of 31 October 2002. As regards All India Radio, dues owed to the public service broadcaster stand at Rs 66.9 million as of 15 May 2002, according to information and broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj.
In reply to a starred question in the Lok Sabha on 21 November, Swaraj said that some 71 companies owe DD money, while 93 companies owe AIR money. It is interesting that some companies owe both DD and AIR – for example, Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) which owes DD Rs 3,00,000, also owes Rs 35,21,689 to AIR.
One of the biggest defaulters, as per a list tabled in the Lok Sabha by Swaraj, is Plus Channel (now defunct, as the company is understood to have been taken over by the Reliance group) which owes DD Rs 10120 million.
Nimbus Communications, which still does work with Prasar Bharati, owes DD some Rs 6120 million. But it is learnt that some cases put in the list tabled in Parliament last week are disputed cases where the company concerned and DD are involved in some legal cases or the money owed to DD has been dubbed by the company concerned as disputed owning to disagreements between it and DD.
Interestingly, Swaraj also explained in her reply that “monthly monitoring” is done and “regular reminders” are sent by DD asking companies/agencies concerned to clear the outstanding dues. “If the defaulting agencies do not adhere to the payment plan, then the programmes are taken off air and their accreditation status is cancelled/withdrawn,” Swaraj told Lok Sabha, citing Prasar Bharati rules.
Yet, there are a number of companies against whom the outstandings have been pending since early this year, as early as March 2002.
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.
