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7 Star sees red; claims absolute triumph in battle with ESPN-Star Sports
7 Star Cable, respondent in the court case filed by ESPN Star, has taken umbrage against media reports (see ESPN-Star Sports vs 7 Star: Both claim victories) that have refused to accord it absolute victory in the matter.
According to Shamim Shaikh, a partner in the cable TV independent that operates in Mumbai’s northern suburbs, the broadcaster has not reaped any benefit from the high court decree. The court, in its order asked the cable op to pay its outstanding dues to ESPN Software and allowed the broadcaster to cut off connections to hotels where its channels were being beamed through 7 Star.
Shaikh insists that 7 Star had never refused to pay the broadcaster its dues. In fact, he says that his company had made a payment by cheque much earlier to ESPN Star’s Mumbai distribution head, which had been accepted. It was however returned by ESPN Star Sports later. “So, why is it claiming that it has won on this front?” he asks.
He adds that the court allowed it to furnish a bank guarantee for the amount that would have been payable had the contract been in force for the period from 22 August 2001 to 30 November 2001.
An acerbic Shaikh contends that all broadcasters’ distribution agreements with cable ops are ‘one-sided’ and loaded in the formers’ favour. The agreements usually include clauses that the rates can be changed arbitrarily, says Shaikh, and that cable ops often are not given a copy of the agreement.
He alleges that broadcasters often pick on cable ops only when there’s an interesting telecast round the corner. “Didn’t they know earlier that we had been showing their channels in hotels all this while?” he fumes.
Shaikh is also bitter about the claim of 100,000 subscribers put out by ESPN. Alleging that the broadcaster was making contradictory statements, he says that if they believed the subscriber base was so broad, why have they asked for disclosure of only 20,000 subscribers.
“Let them prove our subscriber base and then extract the exact dues from us,” he says. “Last year, the broadcaster reduced our subscriber base from 8,000 to 7,000. Why did that happen? This year they want to increase it to 20,000? Why can’t they be consistent?” he queries.
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.
