Chandigarh, Feb 9: Hamdard Laboratories, one of India’s leading and most trusted health and wellness companies, hosted the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards at a distinguished ceremony held at New Delhi today, honouring individuals whose work has created meaningful impact across healthcare, education, public service, sports, entrepreneurship, arts, women empowerment and social development. The awards have emerged as a respected national platform recognising excellence that combines professional achievement with service to society.
The ceremony was graced by Minister of State for Defence, Government of India, Shri Sanjay Seth, as the Chief Guest, along with senior officials and dignitaries from the Ministry of AYUSH, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), Ministry of AYUSH, academia, healthcare institutions, and public service.
The trailer for upcoming Unani Ki Kahaani documentary with actor Jim Sarbh was also showcased by Shri Sanjay Seth during the event. It would be premiered on February 11, 2026 on Discovery channel at 7 PM.
The awards have been instituted in memory of Hakeem Abdul Hameed Sahib, an eminent Unani scholar, founder of Jamia Hamdard, former Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, and Chief Trustee of Hamdard Laboratories. A recipient of the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Avicenna Award, and IRCICA Award, Hakeem Sahib’s legacy spans traditional medicine, education, and cultural scholarship, and continues to guide Hamdard’s larger purpose of nation-building through health and knowledge.
Some of the prominent awardees this year included Mr. Alakh Pandey, Founder and CEO of PhysicsWallah, recognised for transforming access to affordable education at scale; Ms. Sakshi Puniya, celebrated Indian kabaddi player and Arjuna Awardee, honoured for her contribution to Indian sports and women’s participation at the national and international level; and Sh. Santosh Anand, legendary lyricist and poet, whose timeless work has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema and cultural heritage.
Outstanding contributions in healthcare across traditional and modern systems were recognised through honours conferred upon Dr. Manoj N. Nesari for his leadership in strengthening Ayurveda within national and global health systems; Padma Shri Dr. Mohammed Abdul Waheed, a pioneering Unani physician-scientist known for his government-backed research and clinical validation of Unani treatments; and Padma Shri Dr. Mohsin Wali, respected physician and geriatric care expert, celebrated for his compassionate, patient-centric approach to modern medicine.
Excellence in education, public service, social service, and women empowerment was acknowledged through awards presented to Padma Shri Dr. Zahir Ishaq Kazi, President of Anjuman-I-Islam, for his decades-long contribution to education and social development; Mr. T. C. Chacko, former Superintendent of Police of Meghalaya, for his exemplary service and leadership in national security and public administration; Mr. Anshu Gupta, Founder of Goonj, for his pioneering work in dignity-based rural development and disaster relief; and Hunar Shakti Foundation, led by Mr. Prashant Sharma and Er. Neeraj Jha, for enabling economic independence and skill development among women and young girls across India.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred upon Ms. Shailaja Chandra, IAS in recognition of her transformative leadership and lifelong contribution to public healthcare and the governance of India’s traditional systems of medicine, including AYUSH and Unani.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Abdul Majeed, Chairman and Managing Trustee, Hamdard Laboratories, said,
“The Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards are a tribute to individuals who exemplify service, integrity, and excellence in their respective fields. These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education, and public service must ultimately serve humanity. Through this platform, we continue to honour those whose work strengthens the social, intellectual, and ethical fabric of our beloved nation India.”
Shri Sanjay Seth, Minister of State for Defence, Government of India, said,
“Today, the world is looking at India and at how we are finding solutions for the needs of 140 crore people. As our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi says, our people are our greatest strength. By 2030, nearly 75 crore Indians would be 25 years of age. Hence, by 2047, our goal should be to make India a preferred global destination for learning, health and wellness, and tourism. I congratulate all the winners, and commend Hamdard Laboratories for acting as a true ambassador of Viksit Bharat and motivating achievers across different fields.”
Sh. Santosh Anand, legendary lyricist and poet, shared his thoughts,
“I humbly accept this honour. Life has never followed a straight or easy path for me, but every phase taught me to keep moving forward. At 97 years of age, I still believe that perseverance, honesty, and hope are the true companions of life. Zindagi har jagah nahi hoti, khushi har jagah nahi hoti. sabko santosh ki zarurat hoti hai, shayari har jagah nahi hoti.”
Over the years, the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards have evolved into a respected national forum that brings together thought leaders, practitioners, and changemakers from diverse fields. By recognising contributions that bridge tradition with contemporary needs and excellence with social responsibility, the platform continues to celebrate individuals who are shaping a more inclusive, resilient, and forward-looking India.