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TDSAT gives 30 days to Tata Sky, IndiaCast to sign agreement
MUMBAI: Direct to home (DTH) operator Tata Sky and TV18-owned content distributor IndiaCast Media have got another 30 days from the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to enter into a content agreement under the ongoing legal spat between the two regarding a disconnection notice.
TDSAT has ordered that the parties should enter into an agreement either on negotiated terms or on RIO terms within a further period of 30 days. The interim orders passed earlier continue till next date.
The matter has been posted under the same head on 22 January 2019.
This is the second time that Tata Sky and IndiaCast Media have asked for an extension to decide on a content agreement from TDSAT. During the earlier hearing in October, the parties had asked for more time to settle on an agreement. TDSAT had given them an additional 30 days notice to settle the matter.
Tata Sky had moved to TDSAT against the disconnection notice issued by IndiaCast, citing non-signing of the agreement, in September. The DTH operator had then sought an extension of the agreement, whose term had expired on 31 July, to be operative for a further period of three months.
The tribunal had directed the parties to either arrive at a negotiated agreement otherwise they must enter into an RIO based agreement in accordance with the regulations.
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.
