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FIPB turns down TV 18 proposal
NEW DELHI: The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), on recommendation of the information and broadcasting ministry, has turned down a proposal from Television Eighteen Ltd. to offload 15 per cent equity stake to CNBC Asia in a subsidiary that uplinks the CNBC TV 18 business channel from India.
Contacted by indiantelevision.com, a senior I&B ministry official said that since the uplinking subsidiary, iNews.com, had not sought its permission for uplinking from India, it recommended to the FIPB not to consider the proposal of foreign investment.
“There are several issues on which clarity is lacking, including the fact that in the parent company of iNews (TV 18) there is foreign portfolio investment amounting to about 10 per cent,” the I&B official explained the ground on which it had not given the TV 18 proposal a no-objection, a mandatory procedure that is followed by the FIPB.
TV 18 CEO Haresh Chawla told indiantelevision.com today evening, “Well we are still optimistic about the fact that the doubts of the government would be cleared and we would clarify the points raised by the I&B ministry.”
The I&B ministrys stand is that since there are certain doubts on the issue, the whole matter would amount to non-compliance of the uplinking norms announced by the government in March.
According to the uplinking guidelines, news channel desirous of uplinking from India cannot have more than 26 per cent foreign holding in the company.
As an another safety measure — learning from the experience of Star News — the government had also stipulated that one single Indian entity ought to hold a majority shareholding of 51 per cent in the news venture. On this count too the government is not clear as the shareholding of the promoters of TV 18 is said to be less than 51 per cent.
The I&B ministry official, however, added that once TV 18 comes forward seeking permission, the proposal could be taken up for review.
In an official statement sent to indiantelevision.com, TV 18 said that in reaction to a “negative response” to the application in connection with the recent restructuring of CNBC-TV18, the parties concerned “shall study the grounds on which the FIPB has disallowed the application, and shall reserve their right to submit further clarifications to the government to strengthen their case for the induction of this equity.”
The statement, quoting Television Eighteen India Ltd. MD Raghav Bahl, said : “We shall work closely with CNBC Asia Pacific in making suitable representations to the government of India to review their decision. While we do so, the operations of CNBC-TV18, the 24-hour business channel owned and operated by TV18, shall continue as before.”
Alexander Brown, president and CEO of CNBC Asia Pacific in the statement said : “We are committed to the Indian marketplace, and to our partnership with TV18. We will review the situation with TV18 in order to determine the best way ahead, and look forward to a successful conclusion of this matter.”
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.
