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Ficci entertainment division head Siddhartha Dasgupta quits
MUMBAI: At a time when the Indian entertainment industry is booming, the revolving door is not restricted to just media companies. It has started spinning at apex chambers of commerce too.
Take, for example, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) that had taken a lead to propel the entertainment and media sector in the forefront in the country. Its joint director and head of entertainment division, Siddhartha Dasgupta, has left to join a digital movie distribution company, UFO Moviez, the digital cinema network launched by Valuable Media Pvt Ltd late 2005.
Sources in Ficci confirmed that Dasgupta has quit, but refrained from handing out other details like a likely replacement for him. At the moment, a high-level delegation of the apex chamber of commerce, including its secretary-general, Dr Amit Mitra, is on a business tour of China where rampant video and audio piracy has rattled some of the visiting businesspersons.
Apart from Dasgupta, two other senior functionaries of Ficci in recent times left to join the Reliance group, promoted by Mukesh Ambani. A possible casualty in the animation division of Ficci has been averted, according to the sources.
Meanwhile, UFO Moviez aims to be at the forefront of the convergence of entertainment and technology. Its goal: create the world’s largest integrated digital cinema network capable of digitally delivering and exhibiting motion pictures and alternative content. Dasgupta’s experience at Ficci would help the top management of the company.
UFO Moviez is aiming to set up 500 digital movie halls by middle of 2006 at an investment of Rs 800 million and then scale it up progressively to 2,000 cinema halls across the country at a total investment of Rs 3 billion.
UFO Moviez is the digital cinema network launched by Valuable Media Pvt LTD, where the lead investor is the Delhi-headquartered Apollo International Ltd.
At the launch of the network, Apollo group’s head OS Kanwar had said, “Earlier businesses were driving technological applications, now technological applications are driving business models. UFO Moviez digital cinema is a prime example of how Indian technology whiz kids have adopted technology to deliver the best of content even to the remotest Indian towns.”
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.
