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Govt nervous, but insists CAS on schedule in remaining 3 cities
NEW DELHI: An air of uncertainty hangs over the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry as the cities, where conditional access system (CAS) is to be introduced from 1 September, are seeking deferment of the rollout.
The chain reaction has come after the Indian government announced that implementation of CAS in Delhi was being deferred in the light of the state elections due in October.
While pointing out that, as of today, the ministry is going ahead with CAS rollout in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai from 1 September, in the absence of any formal word on it from the higher echelons of the government, officials admitted that “nothing could be said with certainty”.
A senior I&B ministry official indicated that various bureaucrats of the West Bengal government have sought deferment of CAS in Kolkata too, while seeking clarifications from the I&B ministry.
Yesterday, additional secretary in the I&B ministry Vijay Singh and joint secretary in the ministry Rakesh Mohan had gone to Kolkata to discuss CAS. Incidentally, on the same day Mumbai’s Shiv Sena issued a fatwa against CAS, claiming that it was anti-consumer and hence not to be rolled out in the city, unless done so in Delhi too.
Still, according to government officials, the MSOs have maintained that the demand for set-top boxes has been okay, if not enthusiastic.
A further deferment of CAS would result in “loss of credibility” for the government, especially when around Rs 3,000 million is said to have been invested by the industry in CAS-related infrastructure — all at the insistence of the government, the officials admitted.
Asked if the government was prepared for the expected backlash from the cable industry in the wake of deferment in Delhi, and the anticipated one in Mumbai, the officials replied in the negative.
When queried as to how it would respond if cable operators in Delhi raised subscription fees to over Rs 400 per month from the current Rs 150 to Rs 200, a senior I&B ministry official said, “If the situation requires it, the government could take steps and arm itself.”
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.
