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A spectrum policy soon, says telecom minister Maran
NEW DELHI: Infotech and communications minister Dayanidhi Maran today made a strong pitch for India as an attractive destination for investments by saying the government has rolled out several initiatives in this regard and the country offers a huge market for communications-related services.
“It is my dream that the state-of-the-art-technology in telecom and broadband must percolate down to the individuals living in far-flung rural areas of the country, ” Maran said , while speaking on the theme “Mobile Communication as Driver for Social Development and Economic Growth” at the 3rd GSM World Congress at Cannes in France.
Inviting investors to look at India for establishing their units in India to make it a hub not only for domestic supplies but also for servicing other countries of the region, Maran said though India has allowed 100 per cent FDI in the manufacturing sector, it is has not lead to expected growth.
To surpass the target of providing 250 million telephone connections over the next three years, the country has to reduce dependence on imports. He assured the international community that India’s fiscal , taxation , trade policies will be in tune with the expectations of the telecom manufacturers to achieve the objectives.
Speaking about the progress made by India in communications sector, Maran said the country has been keeping in pace with the fast-changing technologies and today ranks among the top 10 telecom networks in the world and the second largest in Asia.
“We have more than 90 million telephone subscribers with a tele-density of around 8.62 per cent. A target of providing 250 million telephone connections by the year 2007 has been set. A target of 3 million broadband subscribers and 6 million Internet subscribers is planned to be achieved by December 2005,” he said reeling out numbers that could zap foreign investors looking at Asian markets.
Pointing out that foreign direct investment (FDI) in this sector has been encouraging with more than $ 2 billion already invested in the sector, Maran highlighted that the government has taken a decision to raise the FDI ceiling from 49 per cent to 74 per cent in the telecom sector
The global community was assured that India will soon come out with a spectrum policy, which will be technology-neutral, in tune with the established policy and international practices.
Maran said, “We in India do not commit ourselves to any single technology. Our policy is technology neutral. But it does not mean that we embrace inefficient or discarded technologies.”
He further said, “We are also committed to ensure that paucity of spectrum does not throttle the growth of the telecom industry. We therefore foresee participative growth of all players as well as technologies. A telecom team is already looking into issues relating to spectrum.”
Likewise, India is looking forward to introduce 3G services and watching the developments elsewhere keenly.
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Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
