GECs
Aksh Optifibre obtains Rs 961 million AP broadband project
BANGALORE: Optic Fibre Cables manufacturer Aksh Optifibre Limited has received a Rs 961 million order for the Andhra Pradesh broadband project, for the supply of Optical Fibre Cables for Phase 1, which is to be delivered in nine months.
The ambitious project seeks to connect all villages across the State and 40,000 government offices by June 2005. Expected to bridge the digital divide, the project proposes creating a 10-gigabyte pipe up to the district level, a 1-gigabyte network up to Mandal-level and 100 megabyte up to villages to bring e-governance services to the doorstep of people through Internet kiosks.
This network will be the backbone for the IT kiosks to be set up in the villages — would be either single or multi-terminal systems, which will provide various services in an online, offline and interactive mode for, both, voice and data and will be connected to the district data-centres and the state data-centre, states an official release.
On completion this will be the country’s largest e-rural project offering, G2C, G2B, B2B, B2C and C2C services providing ample scope for government departments, businesses, entrepreneurs, NGOs and organizations of all kinds to create and manage services addressed to the rural citizens and markets. The G2C and G2B services, currently available on the government portal, will also be linked.
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.
