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Chinese presence increases at SCaT trade show
MUMBAI: The Chinese influx continues.
At the annual three-day SCaT (Satellite and Cable TV) 2003 trade show that began at the World Trade Center, Mumbai, on Wednesday, the number of stalls taken up by Chinese hardware manufacturers has gone up from eight last year to 12 this time.
Last year was the first time the trade show, that sees a variety of Western and domestic cable and allied hardware
suppliers displaying their latest wares, saw an entry of the Chinese.
With the USP of low prices and average quality, Chinese goods have long been swamping the Indian retail market – now it seems to have extended to the fibre optic market as well.
At the trade show, buyers seem to have taken to the Chinese goods, which are available at nearly 30 per cent of the cost of their Western counterparts.
“They are offering value for money at the prices they offer – a potent combination,” says Dinyar Contractor, organiser of the show.
It is the Chinese goods which are triggering massive growth in the sector in India, enabling fibre optic penetration to the smallest of towns – as an entire fibre optic network, complete with transmitters et al can be set up at just Rs 100,000 with Chinese brands, Contractor says. Fibre optic cable available at Rs eight per metre has been instrumental in helping revolutionise the cable scenario in the country in the last couple of years, says Contractor.
Overall, the show in its second day today, has been attracting a fair number of visitors from all over the country – the major attractions being the fibre optics and the digital receivers on display.
Also present at the show are regular broadcasters Sahara, Deutsche Welle and Sanskar TV.
CAS (conditional access system) that turned out to be a non-starter does not seem to have dampened the spirits at the show. Addressability hardware makers too were in full force, with the hope and prayer that conditional access will make its appearance in India sooner than later.
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.
