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Qalam 2003 – annual writers workshop starts 9 Jan
MUMBAI: The countdown to Qalam 2003 – the second annual scriptwriter’s workshop and forum has begun. After the grand success of Qalam 2001, it is back to score another first by holding “Writers Pitch”, a golden opportunity for participants to present their concepts directly to the channel executives and representatives of production houses.
Qalam 2003 will be a comprehensive workshop and will cover everything to do with scriptwriting for television: such as the fundamentals of scriptwriting; the essence of a script’s concept, story, screenplay, dialogue and characterisation.
The Indian scriptwriting community and budding aspirants will gather at Time & Again banquet hall in Mumbai’s Lokhandwala complex, Andheri, from 9 January to 11 January 2003 .
Qalam 2003 will also have individual instructional sessions on writing for the various genres of television programming such as daily soaps, comedies, thrillers, game shows as well as writing for news.
“For the first time in India, writers – some of them first-timers – will get an opportunity to present their story ideas and concepts to creative professionals from major production houses and television programming executives who will be part of a judging panel at the “Writers’ Pitch”. It is quite possible that that some of the work may be picked up if the writing measures up to the requisite standards,” says Indian Television Dot Com founder and chief executive officer Anil Wanvari.
The cr?me de la cr?me of India’s TV scriptwriters will participate in the panel discussions and training sessions over a three-day period. The list includes stalwarts such as : Atul Tiwari, Anurag Kashyap, Ishan Trivedi, Kamlesh Pandey, RD Tailang, Rajesh Joshi, Rekha Nigam, Sanjay Upadhyay, Sanjay Chhel, Shishir Joshi, Sutapa Sikdar, Vinta Nanda and Vinod Ranganath.
The Qalam initiative has got the kudos from senior scriptwriters who are part of the forum-cum workshop. Says Sutapa Sikdar: “Qalam is a very nice platform. It will help writers to actually understand what contemporary writing for television involves.”
Ace comedy writer Sanjay Chhel has this to say about the effort in his inimitable style: “Writing is a taxing job. I welcome participants to the heart attack club. I look forward to doing an open heart surgery on scriptwriting at Qalam 2003.”
Indiantelevision.com is coordinating its Qalam efforts with leading production houses and television channels. Sony TV has given its consent to be the principal sponsor. The event has also got participation support from UTV, Balaji Telefilms, Cinevistaas, BAG Films, Nimbus, InHouse Productions, Creative Eye, Siddhant Cinevision, Contiloe Films, Firework Productions, Tracinema, TV18. Several programming executives from television channels such as Star, Sony Entertainment, Zee TV, Sahara, B4U, MTV will also be attending Qalam.
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.
