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Supriya Sahu takes over as Director General of Doordarshan, four months after selection
NEW DELHI: Supriya Sahu has taken over as Director-General, almost exactly two years after the tenure of the last full-time DG ended.
Sahu, who has earlier served in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry as Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) took charge on 29 June, while the last full-time DG Tripurari Sharan had completed his term in July 2014.
Sahu and F Sheheryar had been selected as full-time Directors-General of Doordarshan and All India Radio respectively by the Prasar Bharati Board on 24 February 2016 and the names were recommended to the Ministry.
Thereafter, Sheheryar – who as Deputy Director General had been serving as interim DG since February 2014 – took charge as full time DG on 31 May this year.
DDG C Lalrosanga had been inducted in April last year as interim DG in Doordarshan and Aparna Vaish took over as interim DG after his term ended.
Sahu, whose term had ended in June 2014 in the I and B but had been on a three-month extension till October 2014 had sought leave for two months thereafter. She was at that time expected to join her home cadre in Tamil Nadu.
Sahu is also from the Tamil Nadu cadre of IAS 1991 batch. She joined the I and B Ministry as Director in July 2009 and was promoted Joint Secretary in October 2011.
This decision on 24 February 2014 was taken after the Prasar Bharati Board interviewed ten candidates for the two posts.
Prasar Bharati sources told indiantelevision.com that there were six persons from the Indian Broadcasting (Programme) Service, three from the Indian Information Service, and one from the Indian Administrative Service.
The interviews were held in the backdrop of a decision by the Board earlier last year that the posts for full-time DGs would not be held until the composition of the Board would be complete.
With two part-time members being appointed, the strength of part-time members of the Board is now complete. The two members are Shashi Shekhar Vempathi, former Principal Architect of Infosys Technologies Ltd and now heading an online media company Niti Digital, and actor Kajol.
Under the Prasar Bharati Act, the pubcaster should have six-part time members on its Board, which is headed by its chairman.
Early last year, Chairman A Surya Prakash had told indiantelevision.com that he had made it clear to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry that there would be no full time appointments for the posts of the two Directors-General until the composition of the Board was completed.
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.
