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I&B ministry & FICCI to work towards ending piracy menace
NEW DELHI: The government today said that it has taken several steps to curb piracy, which is resulting in heavy losses for the entertainment industry. Information and broadcasting minister Jaipal Reddy informed the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) in a written statement that the ministry is consulting Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) to explore the possibility of enacting an optical disc law.
However, sources in the government added the I&B ministry is hamstrung by the fact that the issue of piracy technically falls under the human resources development ministry and I&B can only influence the menace indirectly.
According to FICCI, the revenue loss from film piracy is about Rs 12 billion annually. As far as the music Industry is concerned, the Indian Music Industry (IMI) has informed that the size of the music industry has fallen from Rs 10 billion in 1999 to Rs 5 billion in 2004 due to piracy. Listed here are some of the steps that I&B ministry has taken, amongst others, to curb piracy:
The I&B Ministry has requested Chief Secretaries of all States to advise District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police to include anti piracy measures in their monthly activity reports.
In the meeting of 25th State Information Ministers, piracy emerged as a key concern for most State Governments and some measures were considered in order to deter piracy in the film and music industry.
This Ministry has also made suggestions for restricting incidence of piracy in the film and music sector while considering the on-going amendments to the Copyright Act.
The National Film Development Corp Ltd. has been commissioned to make spots for running an anti-piracy campaign on prominent national and satellite channels. This Ministry has requested industry associations to persuade films stars to work on this campaign in order to make it an effective one.
This Ministry has a Plan Scheme to undertake activities relating to anti-piracy measures.
The Ministry has initiated action to formulate appropriate training modules for police officers to train them for anti-piracy.
Recognising that high levels of entertainment tax lead to piracy, the Committee for Development of the Entertainment Sector, a sub-committee of the 24th State Information Ministers’ Conference (Simcon) , recommended that the rate of entertainment tax be lowered to a ceiling of 45 per cent. In the recent SImcon it was felt that the ceiling should be further lowered to 25-30 per cent.
The same Committee also recommended appointment of senior police officers in States to work in coordination with the entertainment industry, as nodal officers.
The Public Service Broadcasting Trust has been entrusted with the task of making a film on piracy.
The Cable Television Networks Regulation Act has been amended to prohibit a cable operator from transmitting or re-transmitting any programme or channel for which the copyright holder has not granted him a licence.
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.
