News Headline
Strong Indian delegation present at ‘Incredible India 2003’ show in Malaysia
NEW DELHI: Malaysia must tackle its ‘rampant’ music and video disc piracy problems with stiffer penalties and a hunt for those at the root of the illegal trade, the commerce minister Satyabrata Mookherjee said today in Kuala Lumpur where a strong Indian trade and ministerial delegation has gone as part of the ‘Incredible India 2003’ show.
“I think it is to a great extent rampant here,” the minister was quoted by agencies as saying at a Malaysia-India business forum in Kuala Lumpur. According to him, “Legal steps can be taken to curb this piracy. They should trace out the people who are really responsible for it.”
Those part of the Indian delegation include information and broadcast minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Confederation of Indian Industrys Tarun Das and minister of textiles S Hussain.
Malaysian authorities regularly conduct high-profile crackdowns on sellers of illegal music and movie discs in malls and night markets, only for them to pop up again soon after, agency reports said. Bollywood music and films are hugely popular among Malaysia’s 25 million population and not just the eight percent who are of ethnic Indian origin.
Washington has said that while Malaysia was doing more than many Asian nations to fight piracy, its policy of price controls on CDs and DVDs was not a panacea, the reports from Kuala Lumpur said, adding ,William Lash, US assistant secretary of commerce for market access and compliance had stated in July that the US trade losses due to piracy in Malaysia fell to $242 million last year from $316 million in 2001.
The highlight of the Incredible India show is the display by the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which are partner states for the show.
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.
