News Headline
Jon Stewart to host Oscars
MUMBAI: After much debate the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Ampas) in the US which organises the most prestigious awards show for the entertainment industry the Oscars has announced that comedian Jon Stewart will host the 78th edition of the event on 5 March 2006.
In India the event will air live early in the morning at 6:30 am on 6 March 2006 on Star Movies.
Stewart hosts the satirical news show The Daily Show which can be seen in India on CNN on the weekend. Oscar producer Gil Cates says, “My wife and I watch him every night. Jon is the epitome of a perfect host — smart, engaging, irreverent and funny.”
Academy president Sid Ganis echoed Cates’ enthusiasm. He says, “I am very excited. Stewart is a superb choice — witty, current, intelligent and charming. What a terrific addition to our roster of great hosts!” These have included actor Chris Rock who hosted last year. Billy Crystal who has hosted the Oscars several times in the past had earlier declined to do the honours this year.
Stewart in true satirical form says, “As a performer, I am truly honored to be hosting the show. Although, as an avid watcher of the Oscars, I can’t help but be a little disappointed with the choice. It appears to be another sad attempt to smoke out Billy Crystal.”
The big question though is whether the viewership for the show will contnue to fall. Last year’s Academy Awards drew 42 million viewers, the second-lowest total since 1997. This is something the Academy should worry about. History shows that viewership is very good when a blockbuster like Titanic that is minting money is up for best picture. That is because a big mass of viewers have an interest in seeing whether the film that they enjoyed will do well or not.
This year big ticket films like King Kong, Memoirs Of A Geisha have stumbled badly at the Guild nominations as well as at the Golden Globes. Smaller movies that have not made much money at the box office like Good Night, and Good Luck. Brokeback Mountain, Capote, will probably get best picture and other Oscar nominations as they have fared well at the writers, directors and producer Guild nominations.
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.
