TV9 Bangla’s Nakshatra Samman, themed “Manusher Pashe” (With the People), honours the legacy of Mahasweta Devi, a distinguished Indian writer and activist. This annual event celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to society, aligning with Mahasweta Devi’s commitment to advocating for marginalized communities.
The second season of the prestigious TV9 Bangla Nakshatra Samman have honoured individuals who have illuminated Bengal’s legacy on national and international platform. The grand ceremony was meticulously planned and executed under the leadership of Barun Das, MD, TV9 Network, that took place in a five-star hotel in the city recently.
The evening highlighted the recognition of 6 talented individuals who have excelled in diverse fields such as Sports, Theatre, Medical research, Historical studies and Humanitarian service. Alongside, Nakshatra Samman paid tribute to a group of unsung heroes- individuals contributed their service for the uplift of the society.
One of the most acclaimed awards popularly known as the “Prothom Theke Prothome”(the First since beginning) award was felicitated to the former Indian Cricket Captain Sourav Ganguly for his extraordinary achievement and leadership quality.
Veteran theatre personality, Rudraprasad Sengupta was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his invaluable contribution to Bengal theatre.
Other eminent personalities, who were recognized with awards are Dr. Asima Mukherjee, for her groundbreaking research in cancer treatment; Bahata Anshumali, for her remarkable contribution towards deciphering the Sindhu civilization script; Subhashish Ganguly- for directing plays with visually impaired actors; and Dr. Arup Roy for his unwavering contribution to educate children belonging to the marginalised society.
In addition to that TV9 Bangla took pride in acknowledging five extraordinary individuals who have dedicated their lives to philanthropic service:
Dukhu Majhi, a Padmashree awardee, an environmental activist who plants trees to combat environmental degradation in the rugged terrain of Purulia.
Reba Murmu, who build schools for the underprivileged children in the Santhal dominated areas of Bankura.
Prabir Pal, a specially challenged educator, inspiring young minds.
Saju Talukdar, who has built and offered shelters to the homeless.
On this occasion, Amritanshu Bhattacharya, Managing Editor and Business Head, TV9 Bangla asserts, “There are many who work silently, away from the spotlight, yet their presence and actions inspire us in ways we may not always realize. Today, we have chosen to honour those remarkable individuals—the ones who light the way for others, often without seeking recognition. By bringing them to this platform, we hope not only to honour their contributions but also to inspire countless others who will watch them and understand the power of selfless service and devotion. This stage is our tribute to them—our stars- to respect, recognition, and inspiration. As we celebrate them, we too will find the motivation to strive harder and stand beside those who need us.”
Barun Das, MD, TV9 Network said, “At the beginning of this year, I shared with my friends, colleagues, and relatives that 2025 would be an inflection point—a year of radical change in the way people live, work, and think. Life, as we knew it, was not going to remain the same. We would all face two choices: either to perish or to flourish. No one could afford to stand still.
I was not making any prediction, but two significant factors stood out to me. The first is Artificial Intelligence (AI). Throughout history, technological breakthroughs like electricity, air travel, silicon chips, and the internet have reshaped humanity, always with a clear sense of progress. But AI is different—it carries both immense promise and profound uncertainty. At times, it feels like a modern-day Frankenstein, and no one can say for sure whether it will be more beneficial or more destructive to humanity.
The second factor is geopolitical uncertainty. In 2024, nearly 60 countries held elections, reshaping global power structures. This, combined with rapid technological disruption, has fundamentally altered the world we live in. A striking example is how our neighbouring country has revisited history after 55 long years. Meanwhile, the return of Donald Trump in the United States has further disrupted the post-World War II global economic order. For decades, major economies worked together, complementing each other’s strengths. However, Trump’s policies, especially his tariffs, have challenged these long-standing principles. While Make America Great Again (MAGA) is not inherently flawed—that is why Americans voted for it—it signals a shift towards prioritizing national interests over global cooperation.
In India, we see a similar sentiment with India First, championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Bengal First, advocated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The difference, however, lies in the approach. India’s unique foreign policy, emphasis on inclusivity, and commitment to development have positioned Bengalis as a key player on the world stage. Today, most nations seek to strengthen ties with India, and Bengalis are poised to reclaim our place at the forefront of global leadership.
Within this larger narrative, I see a golden opportunity for West Bengal. Historically, whenever India has risen, Bengal has been at the helm. In 1893, Swami Vivekananda captivated the world with his message of unity and brotherhood at Chicago. In business, Ramdulal Dey from Bengal has emerged as India’s first multinational industrialist. Scientists like Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose and Satyendra Nath Bose revolutionized technology, while Rabindranath Tagore in Literature and Satyajit Ray in Films, Amartya Sen, and Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee in Economics have brought global recognition in the respective fields. Bengal has always led India’s success on the world stage.
Sitting here with us today is Sourav Ganguly—an icon of leadership. He transformed Indian cricket, setting us on a trajectory from which we have never looked back. I often wonder—Sourav, what made you switch from football to cricket? You played football at St. Xavier’s as a child. Had you continued, perhaps India’s football ranking, currently at 126, would be much closer to 50, and we would be dreaming of a World Cup in 2026 or 2030! But jokes apart, Sourav redefined leadership, showing us new dimensions of what it means to inspire and uplift a team.
That is why I remain optimistic. I urge the youth of Bengal—dream big, chase your aspirations relentlessly. Passion, hard work, and skill will be your guiding forces. And as we celebrate this spirit of inspiration, TV9 Bangla’s Nakshatra Samman is dedicated to honouring individuals who embody this excellence. Each of us has the power to inspire, and that inspiration will propel us toward our goals.
I will conclude with the words of Winston Churchill: ‘A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.’ Let us choose optimism, ambition, and relentless pursuit of greatness.”
