Satish Shah passes away: Maha CM Devendra Fadnavis, Karan Johar, R Madhavan, more mourn the demise of ‘Sa – The Times of India

Report on the Passing of Veteran Actor Satish Shah

1.0 Announcement of Demise

Veteran actor Satish Shah, aged 74, passed away on Saturday in Mumbai. The news was confirmed by filmmaker Ashoke Pandit. Mr. Shah was a prominent figure in the Indian film and television industry, recognized for his roles in productions such as ‘Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai’ and ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’. His passing is noted as a significant loss to the arts sector.

2.0 Industry and Official Tributes

Following the announcement, numerous tributes were issued from colleagues, collaborators, and public officials, acknowledging his extensive contributions. Key testimonials include:

• Devendra Fadnavis (Maharashtra CM): Described the actor’s death as an “irreparable loss to the Indian art sector,” highlighting his ability to connect with audiences through his comedic style.
• R. Madhavan: Recalled Mr. Shah’s mentorship during the early stages of his career, emphasizing his role in fostering new talent.
• Johnny Lever: Referred to Mr. Shah as a great artist and a friend of over 40 years, noting his “immense contribution to film and television.”
• Madhur Bhandarkar: Acknowledged the actor’s diverse roles and outstanding performances that entertained audiences across platforms.
• Other Tributes: Condolences were also shared by industry figures including Karan Johar, Farah Khan, and Ashoke Pandit.

Analysis of Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

3.0 SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Mr. Shah’s career indirectly supported the objectives of SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

1. Promotion of Mental Well-being: Through his extensive work in comedy, Mr. Shah contributed to the mental and emotional well-being of the public by providing entertainment, laughter, and stress relief, which are crucial components of a healthy life.
2. Health Awareness: The reported cause of death, kidney failure, brings attention to non-communicable diseases, aligning with SDG Target 3.4, which seeks to reduce premature mortality from such diseases through prevention and treatment.

4.0 SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The actor’s lifelong career exemplifies contributions to SDG 8, which promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

• Sustained Economic Contribution: His decades-long career in the creative industries contributed to the economic growth of the film and television sectors.
• Job Creation and Livelihoods: As a working actor, he was part of a value chain that supports employment for a wide range of professionals, from production assistants to directors, thereby promoting decent work.
• Cultural Economy: His work enhanced India’s cultural economy, a vital and growing sector that provides employment and contributes to national GDP.

5.0 SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Mr. Shah’s work is linked to SDG 11, particularly Target 11.4, which calls for strengthening efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

• Safeguarding Cultural Heritage: His performances in iconic films and television series have become part of India’s modern cultural heritage, contributing to a shared cultural identity.
• Fostering Inclusive Communities: Art and media, including the work of Mr. Shah, play a role in creating inclusive and resilient communities by providing shared cultural experiences that bring people together.

6.0 SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The collaborative nature of the film and television industry, as evidenced by the tributes from Mr. Shah’s colleagues, reflects the spirit of SDG 17, which emphasizes partnerships to achieve the goals.

• Collaborative Endeavors: Film and television productions are inherently multi-stakeholder partnerships, requiring collaboration between actors, directors, writers, and technicians to achieve a common artistic and commercial goal.
• Industry Solidarity: The collective mourning and celebration of his life’s work by the industry demonstrate a strong network and partnership that is essential for the sustainability and growth of the creative arts.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article mentions the death of Satish Shah at the age of 74 due to kidney failure. This directly relates to health outcomes, specifically mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which is a core focus of SDG 3.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article extensively details Satish Shah’s long and impactful career in the film and television industry. Tributes highlight his “immense contribution to film and television” and his work as a “renowned actor of the Indian film world.” This connects to the goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all, particularly within the creative and cultural sectors.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article implicitly touches upon the cultural aspect of sustainable communities. The description of Shah’s passing as an “irreparable loss to the Indian art sector” frames his body of work as a form of cultural heritage that enriches society.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.4: “By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.” The article’s mention of death from “kidney failure,” a non-communicable disease, directly relates to this target concerning mortality from NCDs.
• Target 8.5: “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men…” The article provides a qualitative example of this target through its portrayal of Satish Shah’s lifelong, productive career. His friend Johnny Lever mentions a friendship of “over 40 years” in the industry, and his assistant worked with him for “over 30 years,” indicating a long and sustained period of productive employment.
• Target 11.4: “Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.” The article highlights the value of Satish Shah’s artistic contributions to India’s cultural heritage. The Maharashtra CM’s statement that “His departure has caused an irreparable loss to the Indian art sector” underscores the significance of his work as a cultural asset that is now part of the nation’s heritage.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Implied Indicator for Target 3.4: The article provides a specific instance of mortality due to a non-communicable disease (kidney failure). This serves as a qualitative data point for Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory diseases. While not a statistical measure, it highlights the real-world impact of NCDs.
• Implied Indicator for Target 8.5: The article does not provide quantitative data but implies indicators related to productive employment. The descriptions of his extensive filmography (‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’, ‘Main Hoon Na’, etc.) and a career spanning decades (“friend of over 40 years”) serve as a qualitative measure of sustained and productive employment within the creative industry.
• Implied Indicator for Target 11.4: The article implies an indicator related to the valuation of cultural heritage. The numerous high-profile tributes from figures like the Maharashtra CM, Karan Johar, and R. Madhavan, all mourning the “irreparable loss,” function as a measure of the perceived value and significance of an individual’s contribution to the national cultural landscape.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com