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Convergence India: Speed, connectivity, affordability, Value = Broadband Revolution in India
NEW DELHI: Affordability. Connectivity. High Speeds. Value. Four things that the impending broadband revolution in India needs to focus on to become a reality. Chaired by Trai chairman Pradeep Baijal, the inaugural session of the 13th Convergence India discussed topics like access technology, last mile operators, affordability, penetration and reach of broadband.
Along with the Trai chairman, the other panelists included MTNL chairman and MD RSP Sinha, BSNL director-finance S B Saxena, Motorola VP for South and South East Asia Amit Sharma, GTL Ltd CEO Michael Clark, Alcatel CTO Olivier Baujard, Lucent Technologies CMO Soum Mukherjee and UTStarcom Inc VP Brian Caskey.
Affordability
Stressing on affordability, Baijal began his speech saying “Unless the price is right in India, there can be no services.” These sentiments were echoed throughout the session. Motorola’s Sharma pointed out that there was a direct relation between decreasing of tariff and rise in penetration. In his seven point agenda that he put up, GTL’s Clark recommended that the Internet connection regime rates should be liberalised.
VOIP – Value over IP
Lucent technologies CMO Soum Mukherjee pointed out that today VOIP did not only mean Voice over IP but meant Value over IP. The more the value added services provided, the more the consumption would grow.
Making an interesting statement, MTNL’s Sinha said that, ”We are keen to tie up with content providers and are looking at having at least a 100 TV channels including VOD so that the entertainment oriented consumer is attracted to our broadband services”
Connectivity
One of the major issues surrounding broadband is the issue of the Last Mile Operator and how much it should be opened up. Considering the huge potential of the market when and as it develops, there is a lot of insecurity amongst the players as to who will get to cream the milk. BSNL’s Saxena pointed out that inspite of the tough ground realities it faces in taking connectivity to the rural areas, it was focusing on the concept of a Cyber Dhaba.
Even as the discussions bordered around the technical at times, the essence of the discussion was very well stated by Utstarcoms Caskey. Said Caskey, “The consumer does not care about technology. All he wants is simple connectivity, simple hi speed access and he wants this at a simple affordable price.”
Organised by Exhibitions India, the 13th Convergence India seminar will be held in New Delhi’s Pragati Maidan from 22 to 24 March. The event shall feature concurrent sessions discussing the latest issues around development of converging technologies even as 300 exhibitors from 25 countries across the globe showcase the latest at the exhibition centre.
Speaking at the conference, Exhibitions India managing director Prem Behl said, “Convergence India has moulded lasting alliances, and has brought together a talented group of conceptualizers, developers and executors – the technology specialists, industrialists, buyers, sellers and visitors, who will together initiate a dialogue on technologies and services of tomorrow.”
Also present at the panel were MTNL chief general manager for business development T R Wadhwa, Fraccaro (Italy) CEO Nello Genouese, Scientific Atlanta director of sales (Asia) Brent Smith, TEMA chairman N K Goyal, Andrew Corporation director – system engineering (Asia Pac) Ben Cardwell and Veraz Networks country head Yogesh Bijlani.
Even as technology to deliver and distribute across platforms and formats is the backbone of the B2B event, Behl indicated that next year onwards, the event would also focus on B2C including content and devices.
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.
