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FICCI Frames 2023: Jyoti Deshpande & Apurva Chandra touch upon various topics
Mumbai: FICCI Frames 2023, the mega event on the Indian media and entertainment industry flagged off on 3 May at Westin, Powai, Mumbai.
Viacom18 CEO Jyoti Deshpande opened the event with a welcome speech wherein she spoke about how India is proudly leading the charge, taking the mantra of Make in India and showing it to the world.
Deshpande said, “In 2015 Jio started a digital revolution to connect everyone and everything, everywhere. Indians now consume nearly 20GB of data per month on an average, No. 1 in the world already, and expected to reach 46 GB by 2027.
The proliferation of smartphones, connected TV, the advent of 5G and affordable data rates all contribute to the fulfilment of the Digital India dream. Propelled by double-digit growth, by 2025 we are set to become an Rs 2.83 trillion industry.”
Government of India Ministry of Information & Broadcasting secretary Apurva Chandra pointed out, “There was a growth of 20 per cent in the media & entertainment sector in 2022; the media & entertainment industry has reached $26 billion – we are still less than one per cent of the world. The world is interested in Indian stories and culture. The success of Indian movies and music at the Oscars, the rise of OTT content and the box office speak volumes.”
He added, “We have become the most populous country in the world, but there is a lack of manpower. The National Centre for Excellence should be functional in Mumbai by next year. Participation of media & entertainment in films, OTT, broadcast and AVGC – participation of films – film production, film funding, heritage films and children films is being taken care of.”
Speaking about films, he mentioned, “On the film heritage mission, we have already given about Rs 500 crore work to be done and to be executed at a fast pace. People and fans will pay for films to be restored and will be saved for posterity.
We need to give support to young filmmakers who don’t get support in the larger market, and young filmmakers get a chance to showcase their talent.”
“There will be a tender for the Film Facilitation website which will be released within a month, so that we take up film shootings, events, etc.
Also, there will be strict action taken against piracy,” Chandra went on.
About broadcasting, he brought out, “The new uplinking and downlinking guidelines came up a couple of months back. We are looking at India becoming the uplinking centre for many countries.”
“About OTT – it is more of a self-regulatory mechanism, the government has kept a soft touch approach. I believe OTT is quite happy with that, the system is working well. Self-regulation should be exercised. We would like this sector to grow fast and not be bogged down by regulation.”
He concluded, “The world is out there for us to capture. We need to catch up with the world in content creation, gaming, visual effects, etc. We also need to create the best infrastructure – the best of studios, dubbing stations, movie theatres.”
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.
