News Headline
ABP to partner Star on Bengali news channel
NEW DELHI: Rupert Murdoch’s India visit has removed one doubt, at least. A Bengali news channel, being proposed by Media Content & Communications Services India (MCCS), will be done in association with Star Group.
“The Bengali news channel will be put on air along with our partner, Star, and there is no question of doing it solo,” MCCS chairman of the board and ABP Group owner Aveek Sarkar told indiantelevision.com, thus scotching rumours that the Kolkata-based media house is exploring launching the Bengali
channel on its own.
MCCS is a 26:74 joint venture between the Murdoch-controlled Star Group and ABP Pvt. Ltd, publishers of newspapers like The Telegraph and Ananda Bazar Patrika.
However, according to Sarkar, the issue of branding of the proposed news channel has not been fully resolved. Asked whether the news channel would have joint branding, highlighting the participation of the two JV partners, Sarkar cryptically said, “Those issues are being looked into and no final decision has been taken yet.”
According to reports emanating from the Kolkata headquarters of the ABP group, the Indian partner in MCCS had mooted an idea of co-branding the Bengali news channel on the lines of CNBC TV 18 business news channel.
Sarkar also ruled out immediate infusion of funds into the joint venture, saying that the original business plans had envisaged expansion into regional language news space.
Another issue that has not been fully ironed out is whether Ananda Bazar Patrika’s wide network of bureaus and correspondents would be leveraged by the proposed Bengali channel for news coverage. It seems this issue is linked to co-branding of the product, though Sarkar evasively said, “These
matters should not be of much concern to anybody, including the partners.”
Incidentally, till about 10 days ago, MCCS had not applied to the government for an uplinking licence for the Bengali channel, which could see the light of the day in the second half of 2005.
When Sarkar, who recently hosted an exclusive sit-down dinner in Delhi for Murdoch and his other colleagues to interact with the Capital’s who’s who, was asked about the ABP group’s expansion plans, including having a Delhi edition of The Telegraph, he said “slowly things would be unveiled.”
Sarkar’s increasing control over Star News is indicative of the fact that the channel changed gears from a high-cost to a cost-effective style of operations from late last year, which was preceded by the exit of high profile president Ravina Raj Kohli. Bureaus were trimmed or closed, wherever necessary, and company CEO Uday Shankar has started demanding optimum use of infrastructure and manpower at Star News’ disposal.
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.
