News Headline
India adds 2.7 million new telecom users in July, led by Jio
MUMBAI: India’s telecom dial tone got a bit louder this July, as the country added a net 2.7 million new telephone connections, taking the total subscriber base to 1,180.87 million, according to TRAI’s latest figures. That’s a ring in the right direction especially with wireless connections doing the heavy lifting. Wireless subscriptions grew by 2.74 million, pushing the total to 1,172.57 million. On the other hand, wireline subscriptions held relatively steady, dipping slightly by 7,747 users, ending the month at 8.29 million.
The urban-rural divide saw rural India catching up, with rural wireless users increasing to 526.27 million while urban counterparts stood at 646.30 million. Urban tele-density saw a slight decline to 126.62 per cent, while rural tele-density edged up to 58.66 per cent as reported by TRAI.
Jio continued to be the star caller in town, adding a whopping 3.16 million wireless subscribers, cementing its lead with 458.95 million users. Bharti Airtel held strong in second with 383.57 million, gaining 1.11 million subscribers. Vodafone Idea continued its slow slide, losing 1.32 million subscribers, taking its count to 218.49 million.
But not all subscribers are equal when it comes to active users, Jio again leads with a 104.08 per cent VLR (visitor location register), indicating some dual SIM overlap. Airtel boasted a healthy 99.21 per cent active base, while Vi clocked in at 87.17 per cent. BSNL trailed behind with only 50.64 per cent of its users actively using services.
On the MNP (mobile number portability) front, Indians are still keeping their digits mobile with 12.94 million requests in July alone, bringing the all-time total to a staggering 921.94 million.
In the wireline game, Jio added 0.25 million subscribers, now holding 33.11 per cent market share, while BSNL shed 0.20 million, dropping to 23.03 per cent. Airtel’s steady ship saw it maintain a 22.97 per cent slice.
Meanwhile, broadband connections both wired and wireless stood strong at 940.52 million, led by Reliance Jio (487.59 million), Airtel (264.33 million), and Vodafone Idea (125.08 million).
So, while some telcos may be dropping calls and customers India’s telecom sector as a whole is still very much in signal, especially as it tunes into deeper rural penetration and data-led digital expansion.
(If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)
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.
