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Justice N Santosh Hegde joins in as TDSAT chairperson
MUMBAI: Former Supreme Court judge, Justice N Santosh Hegde, has become the chairman of Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)after the retirement of Justice D P Wadhava
Hegde took up his new assignment on 4 July. Wadhava had retired from the post on 4 May.
According to TDSAT sources, political lobbying had been initiated for the appointment of chairman of TDSAT.
Justice Hegde comes with a prior understanding of the intricate broadcasting and cable industry as he had headed a five-member Constitution Bench, which heard a Zee Telefilms vs Indian cricket board case relating to rights of domestic cricket.
Apart from various telecom related issues, TDSAT has to attend to petitions on the must-provide clause, which has caused much heartburn in the broadcast industry.
One such case that was filed during Justice Wadhava’s term related to MTV’s unwillingness to come on to the Dish TV direct-to-home platform.
TDSAT no longer has to attend to FM licence fee as the government has firmed up its views on the matter and a cabinet decision has been taken to his effect.
Besides the chairman, the other members on the TDSAT bench are former secretary to the government of India Vindo Vasih and Lt Gen D P Sehgal (retd).
As per the Act pertaining to the formation of TDSAT, the government follows the recommendation of the Chief Justice of India in the appointment of chairman for the disputes tribunal. The final decision, however, is that of the Appointments Committee of Cabinet.
It is under the chairperson’s supervision that TDSAT was established under Section 14 of the Trai Act to adjudicate matters concerning telecommunications.
Early last year, just before the general elections, broadcasting and cable services were re-designated as telecom services, thus bring industry disputes under the jurisdiction of TDSAT.
The disputes tribunal is empowered to adjudicate any dispute between a licensor and a licensee, between two or more service providers, and between a service provider and a group of consumers.
The apellate tribunal came in to existence on 29 May 2000 and started hearing cases from January 2001. Former Supreme Court judge Justice Suhas C Sen was appointed its first chairperson.
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.
