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Pressure may build up within BJP on CAS
NEW DELHI: At the moment, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), heading India’s coalition government, may not be highly worried, but pressure within the party is likely to build up on conditional access and its rollout once some feedback from the ground, especially Delhi, is received by the party’s bigwigs and analysed.
Speaking to indiantelevision.com, the official spokesperson of the BJP and a Rajya Sabha (Upper House) member M A Naqvi said: “At the moment, there is no pressure within the party or a move to defer the implementation of CAS. The party is behind the government as far as decisions on CAS are concerned.”
But Naqvi did admit that some senior party leaders, like the president of the party, have had discussions on CAS amongst themselves.
The Indian government has mandated that from 14 July all pay channels would have to be routed through set top boxes with people paying for the channels they wish to watch. The price of the basic tier of minimum 30 free to air channels has been fixed at Rs 72 per month (exclusive of taxes), which would work out to be slightly over $ 2 per month for consumers in Delhi.
Though Naqvi, a former minister of state for information and broadcasting, did not elaborate further on CAS, BJP sources said that Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai don’t matter much. However, with elections scheduled in Delhi later this year, the government may not take a softer stand on CAS rollout.
The party sources went on to add that the government may pay some heed to various independent reports on CAS, including two done by non-Indian companies. It may also go in for phased implementation of CAS, starting off with Chennai or, may be, Chennai and Kolkata.
While Mumbai has the maximum number of cable consumers amongst the metros, Delhi does have over a million cable subscribers.
Elections in Delhi, along with those in few other States, are due this year only. Thus, with pressures and counter pressures at work, CAS is an issue that has the potential of meandering anywhere. After all, for politicians vote banks are more important than (good or bad) policies and this government is known for announcing policy decisions and then rolling them back under pressure from various quarters.
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.
