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Indian telecom regulator blames BSNL for stagnating b’band
NEW DELHI: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) chairman Pradip Baijal today cautioned state-controlled telecom company, BSNL, against monopolizing infrastructure that can be used to give broadband a greater push.
Speaking at a broadband seminar, organized by Bharat Exhibitions here today, Baijal said Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL)’s policy of not sharing its network with other operators is hampering the growth of broadband in the country.
At the same time, Baijal said, other initiatives like ITC’s e-chaupal and TeNet’s nLog are leaving the state-controlled company behind in pushing newer technologies.
Baijal specifically pointed out how Andhra Pradesh was able to launch an alternative cheaper broadband fibre optic network through private-public partnership after BSNL quoted high rates for usage of its fibre line for this purpose.
However, BSNL director (finance) SD Saxena, who was with Baijal in the same seminar, urged that USO (universal service obligation) funding should be made available to his company for sharing of infrastructure on the basis of “marginal cost concept.”
He deprecated the idea that just because BSNL had the infrastructure, it should be made to share it at a huge loss “We have sunk lot of money in building this infrastructure. That sort of investment is a nightmare (for others)”, he asserted.
But Trai chief countered this by pointing out that as the network grew with the help of private players, the value of BSNL’s infrastructure too would increase.
He cited the example of the UK’s main operator BT in this regard that, after initial resistance to such sharing of infrastructure, was now retailing its network to any operator wanting to use it.
Baijal also reminded BSNL that the next generation networks that everyone was trying to build was fundamentally a sharing network.
Earlier at the conference, UTStarcom MD Vijay Yadav, AirTel’s chief technology officer Jagbir Singh and Internet Service Providers’ Association president Sanjay Dwivedi expressed grave concern at the slow growth of broadband subscriber base.
Instead of the targeted growth of three million subscribers in 2005, less than a million subscribers have been achieved in India.
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.
