GECs
Agrani expects financial closure of satcom venture by year end
The Agrani satcom venture which is promoted by media baron Subhash Chandra is expected to close financially before the year is through, company officials say.
Agrani corporate communications manager Ashish Kaul is also confident of the Rs 1,150-crore satellite project reaching the Rs 690-crore debt-financing target. There are only a few procedures which have to be followed. French satellite major Alcatel Space Industries will supply Agrani with a satellite worth $170 million. The satellite, with a life-span of 14 years, has 24 ‘C’ band and 14 ‘ku’ band transponders. For this, it has to get the re-export license for which Alcatel has already made an application to the US Congress.
The license is needed because the components of the satellite which were made in the United States have to be re-exported here. Alcatel Spacecom will invest $15 million for a 9.75 per cent stake in Agrani Satellite Services Limited. Subhash Chandra and associates will hold a majority 51 per cent stake in the company.
The Foreign Investment Promotion Board has given permission to ASSL to offload upto 74 per cent equity through the FDI route.
Lenders for the project include IDBI and LIC. Agrani has received letters from them approving Rs 3.75 billion of loans, but the cash will be given at the time of the financial closure. In view of the Afghan conflict, however, it is difficult to estimate the time that Alacatel will take to get the license.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
