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Ensuring a level playing field in entertainment: FICCI Frames 2023
Mumbai: FICCI Frames 2023 is in its 23rd year. This year the FICCI FRAMES has its first Women Chairperson in Jyoti Deshpande.
The day is filled with interesting topics and conversations around the Media & Entertainment sector.
Tata Play MD & CEO Harit Nagpal asked,” Should regulation and levies be dependent on technology used, instead of product delivered? Is there a roadmap that we have to bring it in a level playing field across technologies which are delivering a similar product?”
Terming it as an important and interesting question, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India chairman Dr PD Vaghela said, “Licensing is there for the dth operators, MSOs and LCO registration is there. Of course for the other kind of mediums, there is no licensing. I don’t know why there is no license fee for MSOs and LCO. That 8 per cent licensing for the dth operators, and very surprisingly there is no licensing for it. I think we’ll be handling this. We have done a lot of research on this. Very startling facts have come to our notice.”
He further added, “Under TRAI Act, we have limited mandate. We can regulate only those service providers, to whom the government is giving licenses. To OTT, the license is not being given. I don’t have the mandate. We’ll see whether we should enter into this area and issue a consultation paper and make a recommendation to the govt. The way technology is changing, the way new players are coming, one simple way would be providing a level playing field in the form of a simple regime, whether it is in regard to licensing or license fee. One thing that we should be very clear about is, should we go for regulations for the new players. I generally would not like to see that new players are regulated or brought under licensing. It’s rather that the present players can be given some sort of relief. That should be our strategy, instead of unnecessarily burdening the new players.”
Concluding the discussion, Vaghela stated that TRAI welcomes all kinds of suggestions because in the end whatever recommendations are made is based on the inputs that the regulatory authority receives.
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.
