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Govt consitutes a committee for FM second phase
NEW DELHI: The government has constituted a committee to make recommendations for the second phase of opening up FM radio broadcasting to the private participation.
The committee will submit its report by 30 September. The terms of reference of the panel, inter alia, will determine a transparent and effective bidding/ auction process to be adopted for allotment of frequencies, assessment of a viable licence fee structure for various cities and suggestions regarding extent of foreign equity participation to make the business more viable.
At present, only portfolio investments by foreign institutional investors, permissible under Reserve Bank of India regulations, are allowed in private FM radio ventures.
The other terms of reference for the committee would be:
* To study the desirability and legal implications of making modifications in the licensing regime of phase one licences. Should a different licencing regime be proposed for phase two?
* Examining the possibility of having non-commercial; non-advertisement driven channels to be operated/licenced by the same commercial broadcasters.
* Suggestions for improvement in the content being broadcast and considering the inclusion of news.
* Recommendations for a code of conduct in the programming matters and method of strict enforcement in case of violations.
*Assessing whether co-locating transmitters is necessary and desirable and if found otherwise, the approach to be adopted.
* Determining legal implications of the regime that may be proposed vis-?-vis the existing one.
* Formulating draft bidding documents and contract / licence agreement.
To be chaired by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (Ficci) secretary-general Amit Mitra, the 10-member panel would include Confederation of Indian Industry’s Dilip Chennoy, Nasscom president Kiran Karnik, radio personality Ameen Sayani, wireless advisor P K Garg, All India Radio’s engineer-in-chief K M Paul, Becil CMD KRP Verma and lawyer Shardul Shroff, apart from a government representative.
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.
