News Headline
Tiranga song, I-Day programmes on All India Radio and Doordarshan
NEW DELHI: A theme song on Tiranga Yatra to be organized from 15 August to mark the 70thanniversary of India’s Independence from the British has been released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The Tiranga Yatra will be a symbol of development, social harmony and unity. It will spread harmony,” Modi said. He also asked the party MPs to highlight the contribution of freedom fighters and martyrs among school children.
The theme song ’70 Saal Azadi Yaad Karo Kurbani’ has been composed by Dr. Ghazal Srinivas on behalf of Global Hindu Heritage Foundation and Savetemples. The link to the Hindi version is file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Administrator/Desktop/lyric.htm
In addition, AIR and Doordarshan will broadcast a message by President Pranab Mukherjee on14 August at 7 pm on all their channels followed by translations in Hindi and other regional languages.
The Prime Minister will unfirl the national flag on the ramparts of Red Fort and then address the nation. This will be covered live by both AIR and DD on all its channels from 7 am on 15 August. This will be followed by a coverage from states by respective DD channels of the celebrations.
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has also commenced a festival of patriotic films to mark the occasion in Delhi.
Launching the song at a function here today, I and B Mnister M Venkaiaih Nadu also announced that Patriotic songs will be played on All India Radii, Doordarshan and FM Radio for three days.
A collage of patriotic songs in all languages will be telecast by DD and other channels.
Biographies of the composers/writers of patriotic songs like Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chhatterjee, Muhammad Iqbal, Kavi Pradeep, ShakeelBadayuni, Naushad, Pitambar Das and others as well as songs in regional languages like Bharatamataku JeyJejelu in Telugu by Acharya Atreya (1972), along with the brief anecdotal background will be broadcast before the songs.
Video and Audio clips of speeches of national icons are being prepared into a short film and be broadcast on DD/AIR and will be circulated on social media.
These programmes will be interspersed with PM’s clip.
All speech documentaries will be telecast in local languages also.
Naidu said the Festival of Independence being celebrated throughout the country offers an opportunity for the citizens to remember the sacrifices and contributions made by great leaders during the Indian Freedom Struggle and National Movement.
MoS Rajyavardhan Rathore, and MoS Defence Subhash Ramrao Bhamre were also present during the occasion.
Elaborating further, Naidu said that the ‘Tiranga Yatra’ song captures the patriotic fervor and showcases the diversity in the country. He said that the Idea of India was being reinforced through the song and that the song aims to promote brotherhood and the feeling of oneness among all the citizens. The Minister also released the list of activities that are going to be performed by various ministries.
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.
