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Global graphics symposium EGO 2001 in Chennai on 8, 9 March
Pentamedia Graphics, IBM, SGI, Creek & River and COMPAQ are organising the biggest and the only annual symposium in the country for the entertainment industry on 8th and 9th March at Le Royal Meridien in Chennai, India.
This was announced on Thursday at a press conference held in south Mumbai. Conceived last year, the Entertainment Graphics Organization (EGO) is an annual forum for the global entertainment graphics fraternity to interact and review existing technology & trends.
“The computer animation industry has been steadily growing over the past few years,” K Srinivasan, Director COO, PentaMedia Graphics, said. “From revenues of $ 850,000 in the 80s, the computer animation portion of the entertainment industry is expected to touch $ 40 billion by 2003. With this kind of growth prospects, EGO 2001 aims to provide participants a wealth of information on the latest happenings in the entertainment graphics arena. They would be able to learn and discover ground breaking technologies and put to use these technologies for their own endeavor,” Srinivasan said.
“EGO 2001 is an excellent opportunity for Indian content creation organisations to interact with some of the world’s best. It also offers them a platform to identify newer opportunities that they can address not only for the domestic market in India but the international market as well,” Dr Prasad V Medury, Managing Director, SGI India, said.
The inaugural conference of the Entertainment Graphics Organization, EGO 2000, held last year, attracted almost 400 guests from the global motion picture, television, special effects and animation field. The delegates – from the USA, Canada, Europe, England, Japan and other Pacific Rim countries – included software developers, high-end computer animation producers who traveled to Kelabakkam to understand the latest status of the computer animation industry. Key presenters included Scott Ross, CEO, Digital Domain, Robi Roncarelli, Pixel Animation Directory, Kim Davidson, CEO, Side Effects Software, and Andrew Russell, BBC, among other eminent industry leaders.
EGO 2001 will have Robi Roncarelli and Scott Ross making presentations on the status of the global computer animation industry. Besides them, the symposium will have representatives from Side Effects Software, Aptech, Cable & Satellite Broadcasters, Razorfish, Inc., Disney, Rainbow, The William Morris Agency, 20th Century Fox Animation, Platinum studios, Hyperion Studio, BD Fox & Friends, Reliance Entertainment, Motion Picture of America, ESPN/STAR sports (India) and Television Asia.
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.
