GECs
Govt to study Trai’s recommendations on digitisation of cable TV
NEW DELHI: The government is examining the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) recommendations for a national plan for digitalisation of cable television.
Informing fellow parliamentarians, information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi today said in the Lok Sabha (Lower House) that the recommendations are being studied for feasibility of implementation.
However, he gave no time frame to a government decision on this.
In September, Trai had recommended there should be a national plan for digitalisation from 1 April, 2006 till 31 March, 2010, coinciding with the holding of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
The essential features of this plan are:
Introduction of digital service in all cities/urban agglomerations with a population of over one million by 2010. All existing analogue service will continue simultaneously.
Licensing for new entrants and automatic licensing for existing operators.
Rationalisation of import and domestic duties by 1 April, 2006.
Usage of entertainment tax for a consumer education programme during these four years (2006-10).
The minister also informed Lok Sabha that there were 302 instances of violations of censors) during 2005 that have come to the notice of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC
This included 104 violations in Thiruvananthapuram, 100 in Bangalore, 45 in Chennai, 22 in Delhi, 20 in Kolkata, six in Hyderabad and five in Mumbai.
The enforcement of the penal provisions of the Cinematograph Act lies with the state governments/Union Territories.
However, to strengthen the hands of the states in detecting violations of the Cinematograph Act and the federal government has evolved a scheme for appointment of private detective agencies for all the nine regions of CBFC, the minister said.
These agencies assist in checking violations by conducting raids in cinema theatres and filing of reports with the police.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
