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CAS step away from being dumped in Delhi
NEW DELHI / MUMBAI: So it came to pass that the last day of the year was witness to another twist in the already twisted CAS tale.
“CAS has been indefinitely postponed in New Delhi,” Delhi chief minister Sheila Dixit and BJP Member of
Parliament Vikay K Malhotra told the media after coming out of a meeting with the I&B minister ravi Shankar Prasad. The ministry, however chose to take a more cautious approach.
The government now says it is “pained” at seeing that no actual ground work has been done on CAS in Delhi. It therefore proposes to collect some more data to
review the situation. A stand that can safely be described as just a step away from the junking of CAS.
Addressing the media, Prasad, who has been the one piloting CAS since he took the reins at the ministry in January, couldn’t have been more dramatic on the last day of the year when he advised cable consumers in Delhi to “learn to say no” when asked by the cable operator whether they want a set top box or not.
Prasad’s comments were in reponse to a specific query as to what the consumer should do from New Year’s Day if cable operators were to force set top boxes on them. As clear an indication (if any were needed) as any that CAS is about to be dumped.
A clearly frustrated cable fraternity, meanwhile, has warned that monthly cable subscription rates could be raised to Rs 450 to Rs 500 as a fallout of this happening.
Both Dixit and Malhotra have been critical of the rollout of CAS in South Delhi areas, stating that in its present form, it is not consumer friendly.
A few days ago, Malhotra also wrote a letter to Prasad saying that CAS should be deferred in Delhi for a year.
With general elections looming large over the country, much ahead of the late 2004 polls (as per the original schedule), consigning of CAS to the dustbin of history may end up becoming a populist measure for power and vote hungry politicians.
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.
