News Headline
CAS not scam: RSP to Delhi CM
NEW DELHI: Conditional access system (CAS) may not have got completely derailed yet. But a day after speaking of co-operation (in a meeting between Delhi chief minister Shiela Dikshit and I&B minister RS Prasad), the Central and state governments are hurling accusations and counter-elucidations.
Reacting to a reference made in the Delhi Assembly yesterday on CAS – on the lines of it being obsolete technology and a hint of scam – the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry today said these talks were “unwarranted”.
In a related development today, Vijay K Malhotra, a BJP Member of Parliament from Delhi, has written to Prasad stating that the Centre should request the courts to defer CAS rollout in Delhi (yet again), since there is already a lot of confusion.
According to reports, Dixit had stated in the Assembly that rejected and inferior technology was being imported from a single foreign company (for the set-top boxes). She said, it was being imposed upon the people of South Delhi, on the pretext of implementation of CAS.
Dixit has also been quoted as having told the Assembly that the I&B ministry does not have any plan of action that
has resulted in total confusion.
To top it all, the CM has been quoted in some newspapers as having said that the manner in which CAS was sought to be implemented has raised doubts about the motives behind it.
Peeved at such remarks, the I&B ministry today said that the “statements are unwarranted and do not at all represent the factual position.”
Pointing out that at present, a technology for the manufacture of STBs does not exist in India – and “confirmed” by the Consumer Electronics and TV Manufacturers Association (Cetma) – the ministry in a statement said, “The Indian industry would only be able to manufacture STBs if there was a guarantee of sufficient volumes – a situation that could come about only if CAS is implemented in several cities.”
The ministry has pointed out that the boxes and the CAS technology itself have been imported directly by different multi-system operators (MSOs) from manufacturers like Hundon in Korea (Siticable), Humax of Korea (Hathway), Conax of Norway (Siticable), NagraVision (Hindujas/ INCablenet) and C-Net of China (Trinity, formerly Spectranet).
“A team of highly qualified engineers from BECIL (Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited), a public sector undertaking, was sent to Korea to inspect the manufacturing facilities and to report on quality control measures undertaken by the manufactures,” the ministry said in a statement. It added that the boxes were being manufactured according to stipulated quality standards.
Boxes imported into India were also subject to random checking of technical specifications by BECIL, and it has been confirmed that these meet the norms of the Bureau of Indian Standards specified for STB, the I&B ministry has said.
Refuting Dixit’s statement that it had no plan of action ready, the ministry said , “The implementation of CAS in South Delhi is an immediate consequence of the order of the Delhi High Court, dated 4 December 2003. The chief minister was apprised of this fact when she met the I&B Minister on 22 December. The I&B ministry is fully aware of its responsibilities in the implementation of CAS, and has, in turn, requested the state governments concerned for their full co-operation.”
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.
