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CASBAA Convention 2003 in Hong Kong in October
HONG KONG: The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) has announced that the tenth annual CASBAA Convention will be held in Hong Kong from 29-31 October 2003.
The SARS menace has affected media events, which were scheduled to be held in Hong Kong. SPORTELAsia 2003, which should have been going on at the moment, was cancelled this year. Next month’s BroadcastAsia, one of the biggest events of the region, has also been cancelled.
Coming back to the October event, Convention Chairman Bloomberg Television’s James Ross made the following comments, “We’re very pleased that the CASBAA Convention 2003 will be staged in Hong Kong, and we have some exciting plans in prospect. The event will once again be an excellent opportunity for the entire cable and satellite TV industry to get together, debate the issues, share experiences, and build closer business relationships.” What makes this year’s Convention special is that it coincides with the tenth anniversary of the launch of pay-TV services in Hong Kong and more than a decade of cable development in China.
CASBAA CEO Simon Twiston Davies said, “That’s why the CASBAA Convention 2003 will have a central focus on Hong Kong and China as well as addressing key industry issues such as advertising, broadband developments and programming trends”.
CASBAA has already gained significant support for Convention 2003 from InvestHK as a lead sponsor along with Hong Kong cable operator i-Cable. CASBAA has appointed Hong Kong-based specialist agency ‘Branded’, to undertake the marketing of the event.
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.
