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Govt reportedly wants Trai to go easy on CAS till after polls
NEW DELHI: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) chief Pradip Baijal’s meeting with India’s information and broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in the last two days has sparked off speculations on two issues — the regulator’s probable report on conditional access system (CAS) and cricket telecast rights.
Baijal’s meeting with Prasad, soon after the former’s recent trip abroad to study regulatory framework, was termed a “routine official visit” by government officials. However, when prodded, the sources admitted that some discussions on CAS was held, but refused to give out details.
Information emanating from Trai, the regulator for the broadcasting and cable industry, indicates that a report on CAS and its status may be readied rather sooner than later.
What can upset government plans is if Trai comes out with recommendations favouring rollout of CAS in the designated areas of the metros — coinciding with a Delhi high court hearing on addressability on 5 April. This could mean opening a Pandora’s box too close to the general elections.
Though neither government nor Trai officials are ready to confirm it, information doing the rounds of the I&B ministry is that the Centre may have dropped hints to the regulator to go easy on a report on CAS and not come out with it before the elections.
Despite repeated attempts made by indiantelevision.com today, Prasad and Baijal could not be contacted for comments.
Another issue that Baijal and Prasad could have discussed is the feasibility and validity of bringing in some sort of regulation to aid India’s national broadcaster, Doordarshan, which stands to lose in terms of revenue now that the government has cleared the Indian cricket team’s tour of Pakistan as per the original schedule in March. DD does not have the telecast rights.
Though bringing in such legislation at this juncture, which need not necessarily require Parliament’s sanction, can whip up a controversy as the Dubai-based Ten Sports has continued to resist the pressure tactics of Doordarshan to share the telecast rights of the Indo-Pak cricket series.
While admitting that a law mandating the national broadcaster also be given the telecast rights of any event of national importance could be ushered in by Trai, a senior I&B ministry official, however, pointed out that “reining in Ten Sports would be difficult.”
“There is an option of directing the cable operators to black out Ten Sports altogether, if it doesn’t play ball with DD in the wake of some newly-introduced law regarding telecast rights, but it could also open up DD, the regulator and, maybe, the government too, to legal action, which is something the government would not like to get into in the run-up to the elections as it would also result in alienation of the general populace in this cricket crazy nation,” the official explained.
This virtually slams the door shut on DD, which, despite being “still optimistic,” would have to make do with daily highlight packages from Ten Sports.
Maybe, some revenues could be made up through some aggressive marketing and selling of airtime on All India Radio, which has managed to bag the broadcast rights for the Indo-Pak cricket series from Ten Sports for $ 40,000.
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.
