The second season of TV9 Bangla’s Nakshatra Samman, themed ‘Manusher Pashe’ (With the People), celebrated individuals who have significantly contributed to society, aligning with the legacy of legendary writer and activist Mahasweta Devi.

The event, meticulously led by Barun Das, MD, TV9 Network, took place at a prestigious five-star venue, recognizing exemplary personalities across various fields.

This year, six distinguished individuals were honoured for their exceptional achievements in sports, theatre, medical research, historical studies, and humanitarian service. Additionally, the event acknowledged five unsung heroes for their selfless dedication to societal upliftment.

The prestigious ‘Prothom Theke Prothome’ (The First Since Beginning) award was conferred upon Sourav Ganguly, former Indian Cricket Captain, for his outstanding achievements and leadership in the sport. Rudraprasad Sengupta, a veteran theatre personality, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his invaluable contribution to Bengal’s theatre landscape.
Other eminent awardees included:
Dr. Asima Mukherjee – For groundbreaking research in cancer treatment.

Bahata Anshumali – For her exceptional work in deciphering the Sindhu Civilization script.

Subhashish Ganguly – For pioneering theatre for visually impaired actors.

Dr. Arup Roy – For his unwavering dedication to educating marginalized children.

TV9 Bangla also paid tribute to five extraordinary individuals whose relentless efforts have transformed lives:
Dukhu Majhi – Padmashree awardee and environmental activist combating deforestation in Purulia.

Reba Murmu – Advocate for education, building schools for underprivileged children in Bankura’s Santhal regions.

Prabir Pal – A specially challenged educator inspiring young minds.

Saju Talukdar – Philanthropist providing shelters for the homeless.

Barun Das, MD, TV9 Network, delivered a compelling speech on Bengal’s historical and future potential as a global leader. He emphasized two major factors shaping the world today—Artificial Intelligence (AI) and geopolitical uncertainty—and how they present both challenges and opportunities.

“Throughout history, Bengal has been at the forefront of India’s progress—whether in business, science, literature, or sports. From Swami Vivekananda to Rabindranath Tagore, from Satyajit Ray to Amartya Sen, Bengal has led the way. Sourav Ganguly himself redefined leadership in Indian cricket, demonstrating resilience and vision,” he said.

Das urged Bengal’s youth to “dream big, work hard, and embrace innovation,” concluding with Winston Churchill’s famous words, “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

With TV9 Bangla Nakshatra Samman, the channel reaffirmed its commitment to honouring excellence, inspiring change, and celebrating those shaping Bengal’s and India’s future.