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Taiwan immigration use ‘soap test’ to trap illegals
MUMBAI: Who says soaps are just about hankie wringing? In Taiwan, a hit soap is reportedly serving the immigration department to ferret out illegals.
The Taiwan police are cracking down on illegal Chinese immigrants using a novel search tool – asking suspects to recite a well-known slogan from Taiwanese TV’s most popular soap Taiwan Thunder Fire.
A police officer working with the vice squad in Taiwan’s capital Taipei has been quoted as saying that the “soap test” helped them in nabbing a commercial sex worker who sneaked into the country from China several months ago.
During the interrogation, the sex worker was asked to detail the plot of Taiwan Thunder Fire and a key dialogue the main protagonist of the serial uses, “If I am not happy, I will send you a tank of gasoline and a match.”
“She was totally at a loss,” the officer was quoted as saying, about the sex worker’s response to the questioning.
Interestingly, the very same soap had been criticized earlier this month because some of its scenes “inaccurately portrayed Taiwanese legal procedure.” Taiwan’s Judicial Reform Foundation had raised objections to some of the “inaccurate legal concepts presented in the show”, and had called for TV stations to “consider their social responsibilities” while producing popular TV shows.
The 90-minute show, which airs Monday through Friday, started on 19 June 2002 and is scheduled to end its run this month. It is currently the most popular TV soap opera in the Far East Asian country and the majority of its audience is located in southern Taiwan.
While this makes for interesting reportage, the issue does raise ethical questions. Is knowledge of the “popular” literature and entertainment common to all residents and citizens in any country? Irrespective of the answer, should such methods, in any way, be used to determine legality of citizenship and immigration?
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.
