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Home Cable penalized for showing Media Pro continent in non-DAS areas of NCR
NEW DELHI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Arbitration Tribunal (TDSAT) has imposed a penalty of Rs 25 lakh on Home Cable for violating its order of not to transmit signals Media Pro Enterprises, especially those relating to Star Sports, outside the National Capital Region (NCR) territory of Delhi.
After examining certain CDs and report submitted by the Broadcasting Engineering Consultants (India) Ltd, TDSAT chairman Aftab Alam and member Kuldip Singh also said it was recalling its earlier order of 20 December, 2013 and Media Pro would be free to disconnect its signals to Home Cable in accordance with law.
The Tribunal said it was a fit case to proceed against Home Cable for violation of the undertaking given by it before the tribunal and willful failure to comply with the order, this being a case of continuing contravention of the Tribunal order.
Home Cable had initially approached TDSAT aggrieved by the disconnection order by Media Pro of 9 December, 2013 issued under clause 6.1 of the DAS Regulations alleging Home Cable was illegally and unauthorisedly carrying the channels of the respondent in an unencrypted mode in the DAS notified areas of National Capital Territory of Delhi and in areas outside the NCT of Delhi by taking the feed from the DAS notified areas, which was in violation/ non-compliance of the terms of the MoU dated 23 October, 2012 entered between the parties.
The Tribunal had on 20 December, 2013 directed that in case Home Cable files an undertaking before the Tribunal that it will confine its operation strictly within the DAS notified areas of NCT of Delhi and shall do the transmission/ re-transmission in digital encrypted mode, Media Pro will not discontinue the supply of its channels to Home Cable network in pursuance of the impugned Notice. It was made clear in the order that any violation of the undertaking shall make the petition liable to dismissal.
It was alleged in the application by Media Pro that for the past one year or so, Home Cable had illegally been providing Media Pro’s content in brazen breach of the aforesaid undertaking. In this regard, Media Pro addressed letters in February this year to the District Collector, Gurgaon, and SSP, Gurgaon for the purpose of registration of FIRs. It was submitted on behalf of Media Pro that Home Cable was providing the content – Star Plus, Star Gold, Star Sports 4 and Star Sports 3 in Gurgaon through Sun Direct DTH boxes. The water marks clearly and conspicuously show Media Pro’s logo as well as that of Sun Direct on the screen.
The BECIL report conclusively established that the system does not comply with the security provisions mandated by the Regulations, the Tribunal said.
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.
