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MPA unveils anti-piracy campaign with Pele at the helm
MUMBAI: In conjunction with the ongoing 2006 Soccer World Cup in Germany, the Motion Picture Association (MPA) has released an anti-piracy public service announcement featuring Brazilian football superstar Pele.
The public service announcement running on television networks during the World Cup tournament is aimed at increasing public awareness about copyright law and encouraging the public to reject pirated movies found online or on DVDs.
Pele is one of the most beloved and talented soccer players of all time. He embodies the notion of fair play and love of the game and continues to be an inspiration for young athletes around the globe. In the PSA, Pele appeals to football fans to “score a goal against piracy”, explaining that piracy hurts working people, specifically the thousands of people who work to create movies, states an official release.
The education effort represented by the trailer campaign complements ongoing government anti-piracy enforcement efforts, and in significant seizures of CD-Rs, VCDs and DVDs, adds the release.
“We are honoured to have a distinguished teammate in Pele in our fight against film copyright theft,” says MPA India head Chander Lall. “Pele has a reputation for fair play and in this public service announcement he carries that message to people – urging them to do the right thing by renting, buying or downloading movies legally.
“Enforcing copyright laws not only protects movies, music, computer software and other intellectual property but also stimulates and encourages more creativity. If the people of India do not respect intellectual property and encourage piracy by purchasing pirated copies of movies or downloading through Internet, investment in the creative industries will be lost.
“Furthermore, foreign investors and distributors might decline to market new products in India. This would affect not only India’s international reputation, but also its economic and social development,” adds Lall.
Earlier this year, Pele worked with the MPA to produce the anti-piracy PSA. Pele’s own movie, Pele Forever, released in 2004, was pirated and sold illegally on the streets in Latin America.
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.
