News Headline
Court gives ‘Independence Day’ screening a clean chit
NEW DELHI: After lengthy hearings, spanning months, a Mysore court has dismissed a suit for permanent injunction against 20th Century Fox movie, Independence Day.
At one time, even Star Movies through Star was made a party to this case.
Admitting that the court dismissed the case against the top grosser – Independence Day on 20 December, petitioner Veda Nayak of NRI Film Production Associates told indiantelevision.com that he did go in for an appeal against the district court stand.
“The principal district judge, G V Hegde, dismissed our suit for a permanent injunction against the film Independence Day. We will be appealing this decision in January 2004, as soon as the high court reopens after the Christmas vacation, since we have strong grounds for doing so,” Nayak said.
Earlier, the same court had refused to stay the re-telecast of Independence Day on Star Movies. The petitioner had moved an injunction contending that as the settlement of another case on copyright infringement involving the movie is pending, it should not be aired on Star Movies.
In a case filed in a Mysore court, NRI Film Production Associates had alleged that 20th Century Fox Film Corporation (News Corp’s movies arm) infringed on the copyright of a script written by him, called Extra Terrestrial Mission, by producing and releasing the film Independence Day way back in 1996.
The plaintiff, Nayak’s company, had contended in the court that the defendants, according to information available on the Internet, have already made over $800 million from the film throughout the world thus far, whereas the production cost of the film was only $75 million.
Nayak’s counsel had argued that the defendants could not have made such huge profits but for the important dramatic events and incidents, they had copied in Independence Day from Extra Terrestrial Mission, written and registered by Nayak in the US, while he was residing there.
The copyright infringement suit has been keenly contested between the parties since November 1998 in US courts as well.
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.
