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AIR to cover entire country through FM radio in phased manner
NEW DELHI: All India Radio (AIR) has decided to start FM Radio services throughout the country including rural and far-flanged areas in a phased manner, where FM service is presently not available.
The criteria for choosing the locations include areas where there is no AIR FM service, strengthening FM coverage in the border areas especially in North East region as well as Jammu & Kashmir to counter cross border propaganda and consideration of several representations received by the people’s representatives of State and Central governments.
At present, AIR FM Radio service is being provided from 373 cities/locations throughout the country.
During the implementation of FM Phase III, AIR has selected 212 new cities/locations throughout the country.
Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar told Radioandmusic.com during an interview that he was conscious that digital radio mondiale (DRM) will ultimately take over, but this process may take some years and the attempt will be to reach out to the people through FM till affordable DRM sets are available.
A total of 243 private FM radio channels are operational under existing Phase-II policy. Cities/towns with a population of 300,000 and above besides State Capitals were taken up for bidding during the first two Phases of FM radio broadcasting.
Under the policy guidelines for expansion of FM Radio broadcasting services through private agencies (Phase-III), the government decided to e-auction 839 such channels in 294 cities/towns as per laid down guidelines. The e-auctions will be done in batches.
Besides vacant channels of Phase-II cities/towns, Phase III will cover all other cities/towns with a population of above 100,000 according to the 2001 census are proposed to be covered at present, unless they are getting covered by adjacent cities/towns. In addition, 11 cities in border areas of Jammu& Kashmir and North Eastern States (with population of less than 100,000) are also included in the list.
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.
