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Star India directed to restore Vishal Cables’ signals subject to Rs 15 lakh payment
NEW DELHI: Star India was today directed by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Arbitration Tribunal (TDSAT) to restore signals to Vishal Cable Network provided the latter makes an on account payment of Rs 15 lakh to the company in three equal fortnightly installments.
TDSAT has directed Vishal Cable Network to pay the first installment of Rs 5 lakh in the course of the day and another sum of Rs 5 lakh by 24 June and the third installment for the same amount by 9 July.
The payment “shall be on account and without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the parties.”
The matter will come up on 24 July for further directions.
In the meanwhile, the parties are directed to have reconciliation of accounts to ascertain the exact dues against the petitioner.
The vacation bench of TSDAT chairman Aftab Alam and member B B Srivastava said that during the pendency of this petition, Vishal Cable will continue to make payments of the monthly subscription fees on the basis of invoices raised by Star India.
In case of default in payment of the installments and / or monthly subscription fees as per the invoices of Star India, it will be open to it to disconnect the supply of its signals without any further orders from the Tribunal.
Star India was directed to file the reply within four weeks from today; and rejoinder, if any, may be filed within two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the reply.
The petition was filed against the disconnection notice of 12 May issued under Clause 6.1 of the 2012 interconnect regulation. In pursuance of the notice, Star India has disconnected the supply of its signals to the petitioner on 5 June.
The disconnection notice is based on the grounds of non-submission of SMS reports, non-payment of license fees and non-cooperation in audit. According to the notice, the dues of license fee against the petitioner amount to Rs 13.2 lakh as on 31 March this year.
Vishal Cable has been directed to give Star India SMS reports for the months of April and May 2015 within two days from today, i.e. 11 June. Star can commence the audit of the Vishal Cable’s technical system on 16 June and the Vishal will offer full cooperation in conduct of the audit.
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.
