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Dept of company affairs feels Star application in order
NEW DELHI: Star News may get a shot in the arm from a section of the government as the department of company affairs (DCA) feels the application filed by the channel, and the company that manages it, is well within the purview of the law.
Pointing out that there doesn’t seem to be much wrong in the application filed for uplinking by Media Content & Communications Services India Pvt Ltd (MCCS), a senior official from the DCA told reporters on the sidelines of a press conference today that the Star News application looks very much within the “purview of the law.”
The statement gains significance as DCA is one of the members of an inter-ministerial group (IMG) that is at present examining media issues in the light of the controversy generated by MCCS, which is being alluded to by the government as a shell company fronting for media czar Rupert Murdoch.
Referring to ad man Suhel Seth taking over Kumarmangalam Birla’s 25 per cent stake in MCCS the DCA official said, “prima facie there is no violation in the transfer of Birla’s share to Suhel Seth.” With 30 per cent holding, Seth now has the highest stake in MCCS, above Star India’s 26 per cent.
The issue of Star News is weighing heavily on the minds of Star India’s senior executives, some of whom spend a lot time these days in Delhi flitting between various government offices.
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.
