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European standard in DTV a temporary move: China
BEIJING: China plans to push ahead with its campaign to develop digital television (DTV) cable broadcasting and use the European-dominated standard as a transitional measure.
Last year, China decided the standard for digital television satellite broadcasting, but it is still working on the other two standards: cable and terrestrial broadcasting.
A report in the People’s Daily quotes the ministry of information industry’s chief of broadcasting and television division Bai Weimin as saying that it will adopt the digital video broadcasting-cable (DVB-C) standard temporarily. However, Bai also added that China will eventually adopt its own standard, which will be compatible with the DVB-C standard.
Reports indicate that a home-grown DTV-C standard, which was expected to come out this month, was delayed mainly due to the immature state of technology.
Hangzhou Science and Technology Co GM and head of the development team for the DTV-C standard Wang Kuang has been quoted as saying that the domestic standard will have interactive functions; better support for data services; and will be easier to use than DVB-C.
The ownership of domestic standards is regarded as critical, since the standards affect broadcasting equipment, transmission devices and receivers.
South Korea, which adopted the US-developed ATSC (advanced television system committee) standard, is said to pay US$30-$40 in royalties for every TV set.
If the same fee was applied to China’s 100 million cable television users, the Chinese people could face a royalty bill of more than 30 billion yuan (US$3.6 billion). However, the industry cannot wait until the domestic standard is developed because of the need to start digital broadcasting soon.
According to the 10th Five-Year Plan for broadcasting, film and television (2001-05), 30 million households are expected to receive digital TV programmes transmitted via satellites, with another 30 million receiving their signal via cable, by 2005.
The state-level China Central Television will be responsible for building a central programme platform, including paid TV programmes and paid film TV channels, which is expected to transmit digital TV programmes this month.
The State Administration for Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) aims to introduce one million TV households to digital broadcasting this year.
Digital TV broadcasting, with its high picture quality, large transmission capacity and value-added services, is meant to cover the whole of China by 2010, when the country will stop using the current system of analogue TV broadcasts.
Officials estimates up to one trillion yuan (US$120 billion) will be spent on upgrading current broadcasting systems and buying digital TV sets in the switch to digital TV broadcasting, creating 500,000 jobs in China.
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.
