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CAS rollout notification issued; zonal rollout in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, all of Chennai covered
MUMBAI: The government today issued a notification modifying the manner in which conditional access would be rolled out across the four metros. It outlines how zone-wise rollout will take place, altering the original “no set top box, no pay channel” cut-off of 14 July.
As per the notification, CAS would take effect in the Zone A demarcated areas of south Mumbai, south Delhi and south Kolkata. However, Chennai will not have a zone-wise rollout. The whole of the southern Indian metropolis is supposed to become CAS illuminated from 1 September.
South Delhi covers areas stretching from the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway to almost Maharani Bagh and in between having South Extension, Ashram, Vasant Kunj, Dhaula Kuan, RK Puram, Saket, while south Mumbai includes areas lying between Colaba and Mahim Creek with the Central railway track being the dividing line. In Kolkata it includes Alipore to Baruipur, covering all of south Kolkata to extreme south 24 Parganas.
The notification has also pushed forward the date from which the CAS timer started ticking, from the original 14 January to 1 March. Therefore, as per the new CAS rollout timeline, 1 March is the date “within six months from which it shall be obligatory for every cable operator to transmit/retransmit programmes of every pay channel through an addressable system in the areas specified.”
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.
