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Cabinet unlikely to take up uplinking issue on 11 March
NEW DELHI: The Indian cabinet is unlikely to meet on Tuesday (11 March 2003) as it generally does as part of the two designated days in a week for such meetings. This means that the government is also unlikely to take a stand on the hot issue of uplinking of news channels from India and their ownership and equity patterns.
Pointing out that a cabinet meeting is not scheduled for tomorrow as of the time of writing this report, a government official, however, told indiantelevision.com, “It is the information and broadcasting ministry’s (I&B) endeavour to take the issue to the cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity, especially when all the senior members of the cabinet will be in Delhi for the meeting.”
The official also added that despite criticism of the I&B ministry in certain quarters on attempting to delay matters, the ministry may have ended up doing some favour to the interested media companies.
If the government takes a decision, any decision that is, on the uplinking issue after the parliament goes into a recess on March 14, the official said, there are less chances of any parliamentarian asking for further debate on the cabinet decision.
Though it is not mandatory, any policy decision, small or big, taken by the government while a session is on, has
to be announced in parliament as the generally followed parliamentary norm.
Though nobody in the government is ready to admit it, but there is a feeling in the government that any decision on uplinking of news channels from India has the potential of becoming a controversial issue.
Hence, if the cabinet takes a stand on uplinking during the recess, the chances of immediate reactions from political circles as well as the industry is lessened up to some extent. But it is also a fact that all such decisions have to be told to parliament the moment parliament reconvenes.
There are several theories on the stand the government may take, but a no-decision can only add to the anxiety of players concerned like Star, NDTV World and even TV Today Network. Star may be seemingly the most affected party because of delays as the D-day of March 31 draws tantalisingly close.
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.
