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Hughes broadband satellite based education platform to be used by IIM-Cal
BANGALORE: Indian Institute of Management (IIM) – Calcutta has announced that it would offer three new courses on the DiRECWAY Global Education platform catering to working professionals and entrepreneurs looking at enhancing their management skills.
The DirecWay Global Education platform is a broadband satellite based education and training service for students, executives and corporates from Hughes Escorts Communications Limited (HECL). The programs will commence from August first week and are priced at Rs. 71,250, Rs. 60,000 and Rs. 38,000 respectively.
The one-year program will be beamed across 48 classrooms in 32 cities in India. This will effectively allow IIM Calcutta to reach a wider set of audiences across the country. The programs are tailored keeping in mind the limitations of working professionals with respect to time and flexibility of attending classes in the evenings. The work experience required for all the 3 programs is between 5 to 10 yrs, stated an official release.
DiRECWAY Global Education V-P D Srikant Acharya said, “Hughes is an end-to-end infrastructure provider of quality higher education on Interactive Onsite Learning (IOL) platform across India. We have successfully leveraged our expertise in satellite communications to create this application and the tie-up with Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta is an endorsement for the reliability, and relevance of the DiRECWAY Global Education platform.”
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.
