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The day after: COUF team meets Khurana
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: A day after the Indian government decided to defer rollout of conditional access system (CAS) in Delhi, a delegation of Cable Operators United Front (COUF) went and met up with senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Madan Lal Khurana, generally being viewed by the industry as the villain of the piece.
“We assured Mr Khurana that the cable operators would not raise the monthly cable subscription fee and the consumers would continue to pay the same amount as they are paying now,” COUF’s Tejender Chawla said after the meting today, confirming that the consumers would not be harassed.
Khurana, who is making a bid for the chief ministership of Delhi in the ensuing state elections later this year, has been one of the staunchest opponents of CAS rollout in Delhi. Surprisingly, he had found an ally in the Congress chief minister, Shiela Dikshit, on the issue of CAS.
The COUF delegation assured Khurana that a backlash from the cable community against the government decision is highly unlikely; and even if that happens, it would be limited to some independent cable ops who have their own agenda.
COUF is one of the cable organisations that has been maintaining that providing the basic tier of service for Rs 72 (excluding taxes) in a post-CAS regime would be economically untenable for cable operators. The organisation had been demanding that the price be fixed at Rs 180 per month.
Meanwhile, a meeting that was to be held by cable operators in Mumbai turned out to be a non-CAS event where some other issues were discussed.
Even in Delhi some of the MSOs and cable ops, who had threatened agitation today, decided to hold back and follow the wait-and-watch policy. A senior executive of an MSO said here, “We are waiting to see what is the reaction in Mumbai and Kolkata before we chart out a future course of action.”
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.
