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Murdoch book detailing his empire’s final moments releases on 3 February
MUMBAI: This one is for those who love the drama of media, especially when it involves the nonagenarian Rupert Murdoch, who played a heavy hand in transforming how the US and global media and entertainment business was run, until YouTube expanded its reach and Netflix arrived on the scene.
Journalist and screenwriter Gabriel Sherman’s Bonfire of the Murdochs is set to release in India on 3 February on Amazon in its Kindle edition. It tells the tale of Rupert Murdoch and his eldest son, who were ranged against his three other children, Prudence, James and Elizabeth, in a battle to gain control of the Fox News and News Corp empire that the elder Murdoch had built para by para, prime-time news by prime-time news, over decades. If one goes by international press reviews and excerpts from the book, it is going to make for a very good read.
As Sherman told a publication: “A member of the family told me that Succession was good but that the family was even weirder. That stuck in my head when I was doing the book, that the real-life story was even more unexpected than the TV show.”
*Bonfire of the Murdochs* tracks how the family fissioned due to Rupert Murdoch’s strategy of pitting sibling against sibling and his decision to change the wording of a trust, handing over control of his empire to his conservative elder son Lachlan, when the original deed had envisioned dividing the empire among his four children. It chronicles how this single decision brought three of his children together to fight a no-holds-barred legal battle with both him and Lachlan in a Nevada court. Rupert ultimately lost the battle and reached a settlement that saw Lachlan inheriting the empire, while his three other children walked away with more than a billion dollars each and a promise not to interfere in future.
Sherman spoke to 150 sources to write the tome, even though he has tracked Murdoch for close to 20 years. Expect an overflow of emotions and plenty of details about family betrayal, hurt, distress and unexpected twists. The book is unputdownable. Pick it up if you are a media aficionado by clicking on the link here.
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.
