GECs
Prasar Bharti, IABM to hone skills of broadcast engineers
MUMBAI: The Asia-Pacific Broadcast Union (ABU), with support from the International Association of Broadcasting Manufacturers (IABM), conducted a training course on radio transmitters at the AIR Staff Training Institute (Technical) in New Delhi from 21 February to 4 March 2005.
Course highlights included sessions on AM, FM and digital broadcasting techniques; participants were exposed to the various systems and hardware pertaining to radio transmitters and delved into topics on digital radio broadcast.
ABU head of Studio Technology & Training Rukmin Wijemanne said, “The training course is the result of a unique partnership between Prasar Bharati, the IABM and the ABU. The trainees will benefit immensely from these well prepared courses.”
“All India Radio (Pasar Bharati) is happy to be able to contribute to the development of the technical skills of broadcast engineers in the Asia-Pacific region under this partnership. We hope that such partnerships will continue in the future for similar developmental missions in the Asia-Pacific region,” said All India Radio engineer-in-chief K. M. Paul.
In addition, the ABU-IABM Training Course on TV Studio Equipment will be held on 7 March -18 March 2005, also in New Delhi and at the same venue. The course will provide engineers with an insight into the functioning of TV studio equipment, video production and post-production practices, and the move from analogue to digital. A visit to Doordarshan’s TV Studios for course participants will also be arranged.
Introduced at IBC 2001, the IABM Tom McGann bursary provides financial assistance totalling up to £20,000 (USD 38,160), administered through responsible and recognised organisations, to groups of young engineers who would otherwise be unable to benefit from such formal training. The bursary recognises a life-long and significant contribution made to the international broadcasting community by Tom McGann, a former chairman of the IABM, and reflects the IABM’s ongoing commitment to assisting in the future of broadcasting.
Both ABU courses are funded by the Tom McGann Bursary Award scheme – providing the allowance for some 33 trainees from ABU member organisations. The IABM previously awarded this bursary to the ABU in 2002 which was used to train 6 engineers at the USTTI, DW Radio and TV Training Centres, informs an official release.
“The IABM established the annual Tom McGann Bursary, with the primary purpose of promoting and assisting with the provision of engineering training within the broadcasting industry. It’s very important that we provide opportunities to students who may not otherwise be able to gain access to this type of training,” commented IABM chairman Martin Salter. “By granting the Tom McGann Bursary to a well respected and established broadcasting organisation such as the ABU, we can reach young engineers all over the world, widening the talent pool for manufacturers’ looking to employ the next generation of broadcasting engineers.”
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.
