News Headline
ESS completes 1st phase of technical overhaul
NEW DELHI: After more than a decade of running Asia’s sports channel, ESPN Star Sports has unveiled the first phase of a massive makeover that includes an overhaul of its transmission and master control facility.
The expansion project came after many years of deliberation. Detailed planning for the project began in February 2004. The upgrade allows ESPN Star Sports to run in an environment with far more comprehensive automation control.
“Before this upgrade, our transmission suites were manual and we used automation solely for server control. The ‘live’ nature of our channels did not support an automated environment. But as these systems developed, we saw it as a great opportunity to streamline our operations,” ESPN Star Sports director of engineering Andy Rylance,said in a statement today, ESPN Star Sports runs about 35 per cent of its programmes ‘live’ with the other 65 per cent being repeats of matches and games.
The upgrade in the ESPN Star Sports facility involved a rebuild that covered the transmission area (TX), TX supervisor area, master control room and engineering workshop among others.
The broadcaster chose to work with Television System Limited (TSL) as its system integrator.
Reconstruction of the transmission suites kicked off last July with TSL building and testing the entire system in the UK before it was shipped to Singapore. By February, most of the installations at ESPN Star Sports’ headquarters were complete.
The heart of the facility revolves around a multi-channel desk which gives ESPN Star Sports the technical capability to monitor and control any number of channels. Each of the network’s 12 channels has its own master control and channel-branding graphics generator.
This allows the broadcaster to customize channels for specific markets to specific sponsorship requirements. “In the past, one operator manned each single desk, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This upgrade has enabled us to run our operations more effectively, “Rylance was quoted in the statement as saying.
ESPN Star Sports now looks forward to the next phase of its upgrade in July 2006 which will involve the installation of a server-based production system, enabling the broadcaster to move towards a tapeless environment.
ESPN Star Sports is a 50:50 joint venture between ESPN Inc (a Disney group company) and Rupert Murdoch-controlled Star Group. On the ground, the ESPN Star Sports Event Management Group manages and promotes premier sporting events around Asia, including the Asian X Games and the San Miguel Asian Ball Tour.
On-line, espnstar.com, espnstar.com.cn and espnstar.com.tw interact with millions of users providing them with in-depth sports news, results and competitions. This multilingual, online platform, which is closely integrated with ESPN and Star Sports on air networks, has established the sites as a hot on-line sports destination in their respective markets.
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.
