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CAS task force formed; to meet 7 Feb
NEW DELHI: The government has completed the formation of the task force that will decide the pricing and composition of the basic tier of service in a conditional access regime and has called a meeting of the panel members on 7 February to discuss various issues.
According to government sources, Rakesh Mohan, joint secretary (broadcasting) in the information and broadcasting ministry, would head the task force.
Those from the industry who find a place in the 17-person panel include Suresh Khanna of CETMA, Sanjiv Kainth of Thomson India (a possible manufacturer of set-top boxes), ESPN India country head Manu Sawhney, Siti Cable chief Jawahar Goel, Sony Entertainment TV India’s distribution head Shantanu Aditya, Rajiv Vyas of HTMT (INCablenet), Asim Dutta of RPG and D Maran of the Sun TV group.
The panel would also have an expert from Doordarshan and representatives of consumer rights groups.
The terms of reference for the 8 February meeting are as follows:
– Recommend the size and price of the basic tier of the notified free to air channels,
– Recommend on rollout of addressability in other cities and towns (apart from the metros that are targeted in the first phase),
– Any other issue that may be related to CAS and its rollout.
The question doing the rounds of course is what is the stand that the I&B ministry will adopt now on the issue of CAS, considering that Sushma Swaraj is moving out of Shastri Bhawan (housing the ministry). How Ravi Shankar Prasad, who is moving in to replace her from coal and mines as minister of state with independent charge, approaches the issue will be eagerly watched..
If Swaraj had taken it upon herself to see that CAS was pushed through Parliament and implemented as soon as possible, Prasad’s views on this are not known yet till the time of posting of this report.
Questions around `whether Prasad will show as much zeal to push through CAS as Swaraj?’ are already being raised in industry and in government circles.
Only Prasad can provide some answers. So keep tuned in for Prasad speak.
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.
