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ASEAN plan: Malaysia begins switchover to DTT, to go digital by ’20
NEW DELHI: With an aim to meet the deadline of end of analogue transmission by 2020 set by the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Malaysia has launched digital terrestrial television (DTT) with free decoders to 4.2 million low-income households or about two-thirds of all familie.
Named myFreeview, the DTT is is operated by the state-appointed company MYTV Broadcasting, which has been tasked to build the infrastructure for the migration from analog to digital under a 30-year concession.
The aim is in line with the move in neighbouring countries including India to move away from analogue and radio wave technology in line with the global digitisation trend that began in developed economies, according to Nikkei Asian Business Review.
The broadcast currently carries nine free-to-view local TV channels and four radio programs through 24 transmission towers, covering about 87% of the country’s population.
The coverage will be extended to 98% by the end of the year before terminating analog services by June next year.
Launching the service, the Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak said: “That is the manifestation of the government’s efforts to improve the quality of life, on par with other developed countries.”
MYTV, which has the capacity to air 30 standard and high-definition channels, said it would introduce online shopping and video-on-demand services in the future, competing against paid-TV operator Astro Malaysia Holdings.
myFreeview broadcast can be received by connecting a decoder to a TV set or through digital TV with a built-in receiver.
The 10 members of the ASEAN aim to switch off analogue broadcasting by 2020, starting with Singapore by the end of the year after successfully rolling out DTT services since December 2013.
Thailand had started digital broadcasting in 2014, while other countries including Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam also began the service in selected cities within their markets.
Digitising TV transmission frees up broadcasting frequency spectrum that governments could let to other industries, including telecommunications. It could also generate revenue through advertisements and creative content, enhancing business opportunities for the creative industry.
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.
