News Headline
Indian broadcast norms to hit US companies: Casbaa
NEW DELHI: The Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) feels that new media norms introduced by India will “primarily affect” American companies.
In a note prepared for US government representatives in India and their Indian counterparts in Washington, Casbaa states, “The Indian government is introducing substantial new restrictions on foreign TV channels. These restrictions would primarily affect American companies supplying content to
cable TV systems in India.”
According to the note, companies/channels such as CNN, CNBC, Star (News Corp), SET (Sony) Discovery, ESPN, HBO, AXN (Sony) and the Disney Channel are some of the American companies that will be get hit as they have widespread business interests in India.
“The new measures will have a chilling effect on international broadcasting, and run counter to India’s desire for more integration into the international community. They will also have a highly negative effect on companies that have already made, or are now planning, major investments in India,” the note states.
The note, a copy of which is available with Indiantelevision.com, lists some of the measures in the downlink norms that would grant landing rights to TV channels uplinking from outside India as “burdensome.”
“A burdensome new registration process is required, with vetting by several Ministries, substantial fees and the likelihood of bureaucratic delays interfering with business operations,” it has been said.
Casbaa also feels that the new media norms will have interfere with commercial models of foreign TV channels operating in India.
“These constraints are likely to have important tax as well as operational effects, including a very large likelihood of double taxation with `uplinking’ countries.
“The regulations seem deliberately designed to force international channels to establish an entity in India that would be interpreted by the tax authorities as a `permanent establishment’, thus potentially subjecting international channels to double taxation,” the Casbaa note argues.
The new media norms unveiled by New Delhi have been termed by the Casbaa as “new obstacles,” which have been designed to get bureaucratic control before undertaking any upgrading, expansion or any other change in distribution operations.
Pointing out that some of the stipulations in the uplink and downlink norms are “technically impossible,” the note states that TV channels are required to have a prescribed net worth with no indication of how it will be calculated.
“In order to continue uninterrupted broadcast of existing channels, the registration and downlinking permission is to be obtained by the channels prior to May 11, 2006, yet no time lines have been laid down for government to complete the registration process,” the note points out.
The information and broadcasting ministry on 11 November announced new media norms for all TV channels, including foreign pay TV channels doing business in India.
According to Casbaa, though the ostensible purpose of the new regulations is to guard against harmful content, but they impose “very substantial new restrictions on all foreign TV channels, with especially negative attention reserved for news and sports channels.”
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.
