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APSTAR VI satellite launched in China
MUMBAI: APT Satellite Holdings Ltd, a leading satellite operator in the Asia Pacific region, announced the successful launch of the APSTAR VI satellite on 12 April from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China aboard a Long March 3B launch vehicle. The satellite is expected to be operational in June, this year.
APSTAR VI is the company’s fifth satellite and a powerful addition to the APSTAR fleet. APSTAR VI is planned for operation from 134 degrees East longitude as a replacement satellite to APSTAR IA.
This satellite will provide high power Asia Pacific footprints with its C-band transponders covering China, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, the Pacific Islands and Hawaii. In addition, it is the first commercial satellite in China equipped with an anti-jamming feature.
We are thrilled with today’s spectacular launch and it also demonstrates our commitment to engineering excellence with a new generation APSTAR VI satellite. We applaud the efforts of our satellite manufacturer Alcatel Space and the launch service provider China Great Wall Industry Corporation, that ended today in a flawless liftoff.
“At the same time, we would like to express our gratitude towards our APSTAR IA customers, and those customers who will soon become our APSTAR VI customers, for their utmost support over the years,” said Group president and executive director Chen Zhaobin.
The launch of APSTAR VI is a significant move for the Group The high power and coverage area of APSTAR VI is positioned as the next generation home of premier TV broadcasters, forming a strong neighbourhood effect. “We are sure that APSTAR VI will be as good as APSTAR IA in providing comprehensive communications services to our customers,” Chen said.
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.
