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Cabsat starts in Dubai with 31% space expansion
MUMBAI: The Middle East event Cable, Satellite, Broadcast & Communications Exhibition (Cabsat) kicks off in Dubai today 8 March. It is an annual showcase for the latest developments in the electronic media and communications industry.
The organisers: Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) have announced that the event has grown exceptionally. The show has recorded an increase in net space by 31 per cent necessitating an expansion of the show from two halls last year to three halls in 2005.
The number of participating companies at the event too has gone up substantially to 402 exhibitors this year compared to 215 last year. This represents an increase of 87 per cent. 82 per cent of the exhibiting companies are from overseas. There will be five country pavilions at Cabsat – one each from the UK, Germany (Bavaria), China, Taiwan and Korea. Exhibitors from 50 countries are participating at the event this year.
A highlight this year is the fact that a Middle East Satellite Summit has been organised. It takes place on 9 March 2005. The satellite summit will include themed sessions touching upon different aspects of the industry including Convergence Versus Competition, Home Front: The Battle for the Living Room, The Convergence of Satellite TV & Broadband in the Middle East, The New IT Portfolio: Satellite-Based Video, Voice and Data, Digital Video Broadcasting, IP and the “New” Bottom Line and Re-Evaluating the “Value Chain”.
DWTC DG Helal Saeed Khalfan Al Marri says, “Cabsat has grown steadily over the years to now fill up three halls catering to the requirements of the cable and satellite accessories and equipment sector, communications sector and broadcast and production sector. Each sector occupies a separate hall effectively providing for highly categorised subdivisions to facilitate trade visitors to make optimum use of their time while networking at the show.”
DWTC states that the region’s electronic media industry offers a variety of lucrative opportunities as the industry is revolutionising its services that are offered to consumers in the region. An increasing number of international manufacturers are participating at the event directly rather than via appointed distributors as they realise the potential the show has to reach out to buyers.
The earlier mentioned satellite conference will focus primarily on digital TV and bring the latest information on digital TV developments across the world. Practical case studies of implementation and operational issues of digitisation for television operations in the newsroom, production and archival asset management will be discussed.
Companies participating at the event include E-Vision, Viaccess, HomeCast, Eurostar and Echostar.
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.
