GECs
India could become a manufacturing hub for flat screens
BANGALORE: Union minister of communications and technology Dayanidhi Maran is hopeful that Korean companies will make India a manufacturing hub for flat screens.
“Today, flat screens are replacing most of the CRT screens for computers, televisions. My next visit will be to Korea, since the Koreans are the big players in flat screen,” said Maran, who was speaking on the sidelines of the second day of the valedictory session of the ISA summit in Bangalore.
Maran made an oblique reference to Samsung as one of the companies he could approach.
During the address, Maran revealed that a Frost & Sullivan report conducted for the ISA had estimated that the Indian Semiconductor industry (SCI) was expected to grow from the current $2 billion annually to $36 billion by 2015, with a potential to create 3.6 million jobs and that the sector would contribute around 12 per cent to India’s GDP.
He assured that the Central and State Governments had now become aware of the potential of the SCI and were very proactive to nurture this industry.
Maran said that his focus was now on building successes in design and software services to become an attractive location for the semiconductor and electronic equipment manufacturing industry.
Bangalore headquartered ISA or the India Semiconductor Association is an organization established in 2004, representing the Indian semiconductor industry as the name suggests, and has around 90 members from leading companies in their space. This summit is the first one being held since the formation of the ISA.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
