News Broadcasting
Agrani reacts favourably to budget
NEW DELHI: Agrani Satellite Services has reacted in a positive manner to the tax holiday extended to domestic satellite companies. ASS is a subsidiary of the Subhash Chandra-promoted ASC Enterprises Ltd, which is the only player in this field.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com, a company official said, “As per the policy, a company has to choose any 10 years in continuation within the first 15 years of operation. This policy provides 100 per cent tax holiday for the first five years and a 30 per cent relief for the next five years. It is a welcome relief for Indian satcom industry from government.”
What is the impact on the satellite industry? According to figures collated by indiantelevision.com, it seems that in a scenario where the government has so far been the only provider of satellite capacity, there is a large demand-supply gap, which needs to be filled by capacity on other systems. Experts in satellite broadcasting feel that private players will have to be involved in greater numbers in the provision of infrastructure and services under a facilitative regulatory regime.
India will face a major shortage of transponder capacity with the demand expected to increase to about 315 by 2004 but the supply not going above 235, notwithstanding the recent permission to a private sector satellite service company to induct foreign equity. Furthermore, India is expected to take a leap forward in the convergence arena with rapid expansion in the fixed-line and mobile telephone networks, Internet user base, long distance infrastructure, cable and Direct-to-Home television households, training and educational networks of businesses and institutions.
The country utilised 154 transponders in 1999, of which 28 transponders were for international communications operations of VSNL. Of the 128 transponders for domestic applications an estimated 69 transponders were used by Government, private Indian and foreign broadcasters to provide around 120 TV channels for Indian audiences. Eight transponders were used for business and other network services. Internet backbone applications accounted for 12 transponders, domestic telecom applications for 47 transponders and international voice and data communications for 18. Of the 154 transponders, 75 were provided by the INSAT system (including 10 transponders leased on a foreign satellite system) and the rest (79) were leased on foreign satellite systems.
With only INSAT 3C and 3A being launched over the next two years, the capacity of INSAT satellites in is estimated to be around 75 transponders. The estimated increase to 316 includes 10 ten per cent for reserve and backup capacity. This increase in demand is largely due to projected growth in telephone network (52 million lines); Internet subscribers (18 million), Cable TV channels (85) and DTH TV channels (85), VSAT terminals (50,000), and education/training networks (28 channels).headlines/y2k3/feb/feb200.htm
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
