News Headline
Business recovers at ninth French TV screenings
SAINT-TRPOEZ: With foreign attendance on the rise, business was brisk at TV France International’s ninth edition of Le Rendez-Vous, the French TV Screenings held in Saint-Tropez, from 9-11 September.
164 buyers from 45 countries attended the event, up by 10 per cent compared to the previous year. The number of screenings increased by 15 per cent over 2001 and
totalled 3,316 during the three-day event.
For a majority of exhibitors, sales done at Le Rendez-Vous 2003 increased significantly compared to last year and all the participants deemed the market to be satisfactory. Le Rendez-Vous heralded a business recovery after sagging sales of French programs abroad in 2002.
Various documentaries were among the most successful productions presented in Saint-Tropez: The Junction (Point du Jour) was the most widely screened program, while they filmed the War in colour (2001 Audiovisual) and Wings of nature (France Télévisions Distribution), sold to many territories, along with CIA Secret Wars (Capa) and Death squadrons the French school (Idéale Audience).
Likewise, fiction generated strong interest with Danderous liaisons (AB/TF1 International), sold to Australia and Scandinavia in particular, Franck Riva France Televisions Distribution), as well as the first excerpts of Colette (Europe Images International).
Animation is still the leading genre in terms of international sales and Alice, through the looking glass (Dargaud Marina) came on top of the screenings in that genre.
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.
