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Star not to offer channels on Zee’s HITS platform
NEW DELHI: Zee Telefilms may be gung-ho that, for a change, it seems to be more ready than others for a conditional access system (CAS) regime, especially through its headend in the sky project. But other broadcasters don’t seem to be much interested.
For starters, Star India is not. “I don’t think that we would like to be part of Zee’s HITS platform and give our channels,” Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea told indiantelevision.com.
According to Mukerjea, who spends more time in meetings and traveling between Mumbai and Delhi these days, it does not make sense for Star to give access to its encrypted channels and the codes to Zee for turnaround from a central facility of Zee. “We also have interests in an MSO (Hathway, in which Star India holds 26 per cent of equity stake) and we might as well concentrate on that for distribution purposes,” he added.
While Star India has made its stand more or less clear, Sony Entertainment TV India was not available for comment.
When contacted, a senior executive of Siti Cable, through which Zee is implementing its HITS project under the Galaxzee brand name, said, “Well, some informal talks had been initiated with other broadcasters, but all this needs to be followed up. However, no other broadcaster has said an outright no to us formally.”
Zee is aggressively pushing its HITS project and the wooing of cable ops has already started. Recently, a bunch of cable ops were also given a guided tour of Zee’s state-of-the-art facility at NOIDA, on the outskirts of Delhi, which would be used for HITS and the proposed KU-band DTH service.
Zee is also looking at throwing in additional services, like 12 satellite radio channels, for its HITS and DTH subscribers.
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.
