National Religious Broadcasters Honor Historic Dr. Ida Documentary
The word from the U.S. was thrilling for the thousands of people and communities touched by the life-saving accomplishments of Dr. Ida S. Scudder. The documentary film on her life, “Be Thou My Vision, Part 1,” won the 2025 National Religious Broadcasters Silver Crown Award for Best Foreign Production. The honor was announced at NRB’s International Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, on February 20, 2026.
NRB’s prestigious awards recognize and honor the most outstanding ministries, organizations, programs, and producers within the world’s leading association of Christian communicators.
This film is Part 1 of a two-part series. Part I, directed by Sanjay Guru, covers the period of 1849 to 1922. Part 2 is now in the early production phase. The executive producer and director of the series is Aneesh Daniel. Dr. Reena George, M.D., wrote the script.
The film does an outstanding job of bringing the beloved Aunt Ida to life. After people in south India and beyond have heard so much about the pioneering medical missionary, everyone can now see her face and hear her voice, even though she died in 1930 at the age of 50. The documentary was posted on YouTube on December 9, 2025, the 155th anniversary of her birth, making this remarkable film available to people around the world at the mere click of a button.
A fascinating clip of her addressing Indian medical students opens the film.
Here’s the link: Be Thou My Vision – Ida Scudder of Vellore (1849–1922) | CMC Vellore Documentary | Part 1
Part 1, which runs just over 50 minutes, was produced by CMC Vellore and Shepherd Films of India. It was released in 2024 and seen then by alumni of the institution, staff, students, and administrators. Now this award-winning production is available to the world.
