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CAS off in Kolkata as well
MUMBAI: With each passing day, the conditional access story is looking more and more bedraggled. In the latest twist to the non-event CAS is turning out to be, Kolkata is as good as officially off the CAS roll out radar
The information is that the West Bengal state government chief secretary has issued a five-point letter to the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry indicating why CAS can’t be implemented in Kolkata.
Among the point raised in the West Bengal chief secretary’s letter were:
a) The CAS is industry-friendly and not consumer-friendly as is claimed by the I&B ministry. The proof of this is borne out of the fact that CAS was deferred in Delhi out of fear that it would have an adverse impact on the BJP’s chances in the upcoming state assembly election.
b) If CAS could be deferred in Mumbai due to the Ganesh Chathurthi festival, then using the same yardstick CAS should be deferred in Kolkata as well, as the Durga Puja festival is around the corner.
c) There was no clarity on the pay channel rate.
d) Let us have a meeting of all states where CAS is sought to be implemented so that there could be further discussion.
An senior I&B ministry official admitted to indiantelevison.com that in the light of the letter, CAS for all practical purpose should be defered in Kolkata as well.
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.
