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EBU increases capacity on Eutelsat
MUMBAI: Satellite operator Eutelsat and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) have announced the signature of a contract for two extra transponders on Eutelsat’s Atlantic Bird 3. This will be used to cover the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.
The agreement concerns two 36 MHz Ku-band transponders which the EBU will lease from 31 January to 27 February 2006, increasing by over 20 per cent the permanent capacity it already leases from Eutelsat.
At Turin, as at each Olympic Games, the EBU is organising on behalf of its member broadcasters in particular the purchase and management of broadcasting rights, distribution of live coverage of all events on five video streams (24 Mbit/s) – multilateral channels, production highlights, provision of private connections and associated technical services.
The additional capacity leased by the EBU on Atlantic Bird 3 will enable on-site teams of reporters to link up with their television channels. It will also enable the EBU to simultaneously broadcast 500 hours of sporting events directly to its 74 members from 54 countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Within the framework of these operations, the EBU will build an infrastructure dedicated to the Games which uses a new teleport at the Olympic site. This will provide 18 permanent satellite broadcasting channels, of which 14 will be via Eutelsat.
The new teleport service will come on stream on 31 January 2006, starting with technical testing of each control centre and recording of the participants’ preparations in the various sports. The broadcast of the opening ceremony on the evening of 10 February will signal the full utilisation of the satellite capacity leased by the EBU until the end of the Games on 27 February 2006.
The EBU is the largest professional association of national broadcasters in the world. The Union has 74 active Members in 54 countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East and 47 associate members in 26 countries further afield.
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.
