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Universal bids for TV-to-DVD market
MUMBAI: Did you miss the episodes of Monk or Law & Order? Well this piece of news will provide the fans of the shows an opportunity to catch up on what they have missed out.
In an attempt to strengthen its position as a leading provider of TV-to-DVD content in the US, Universal Studios Home Entertainment (USHE) has announced its 2005 slate of television shows which will be made available on DVD for the first time. In India the two above mentioned shows air on Star World.
USHE president Craig Kornblau said, “With TV-to-DVD among the fastest growing segments of our industry, we are well poised to capitalise on NBC Universal’s treasure trove of television assets. With award-winning series that redefined the television landscape, consumers will now have the freedom to own and enjoy some of the most beloved shows for the first time ever on DVD.”
Universal is releasing the second and third season DVD collections of Monk, Columbo, Magnum P.I., Knight Rider, Law & Order and The A-Team. The comedy Monk sees Tony Shalhoub in the title role. He’s phobic, obsessive, compulsive and also the most brilliant crime solver since Sherlock Holmes.
Kojak starred the late Telly Savalas as the lollipop-loving sleuth Lt. Theo Kojak. He is a brash, stylish, streetwise detective who battles criminals on the gritty streets of 1970s New York. Savalas won two Golden Globe Awards for his portrayal of the tough, wisecracking but compassionate cop.
Cult shows of the 1980’s like the Don Johnson starrer Miami Vice, Murder She Wrote and The Hardy Boys Nancy Drew Mysteries will also be released by the entertainment giant.
Miami Vice is considered to have revolutionise the television crime drama and launched a worldwide cultural phenomenon in fashion, architecture and music. In addition to its trademark action, glamorous settings, and hip fashions, the first season of this series boasts guest performances by the likes of Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Pam Grier, Dennis Farina and Eagles’ singer Glenn Frey. It also features original music by Phil Collins, U2, Elvis Presley, Peter Gabriel, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, The Police, Glenn Frey and other pop superstars. The three-disc DVD includes 22 episodes and bonus materials.
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.
