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Interoperability of STBs discussed in Upper House; standards prescribed by BIS, says Prasad
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Communications and IT has raised the issue of interoperability of set-top boxes (STBs) to be used in the implementation of conditional access system (CAS), Rajya Sabha was informed today.
“While interoperability is not being insisted upon, it has been provided in the standards prescribed by the Bureau Of Indian Standards (BIS) that manufacturers and service providers shall declare to the subscriber the capability of STB and its interoperability on various networks in the instruction manual to be supplied with the STB,” information and broadcasting (I&B) minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a written reply. “The ministry of I&B is seized of the issue,” he added.
The minister said, on 31 July, 107,882 STBs had been imported by various multi-system operators (MSOs) and orders have been placed for more such boxes, adding the cost of these ranges between Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,000.
However, the government is not importing STBs, he clarified. In reply to another question, Prasad said government is examining the matter of regulating advertisements on pay channels.
Dwelling on direct-to-home (DTH) television services in the country, the minister said that as of now no company has been given a licence to operate such a service.
Pointing out that there is no time frame for the start of a DTH service in India, Prasad said as far as pubcaster Doordarshan’s DTH project is concerned, the scheme of ‘Ku-band’ transmission is yet to be approved by the competent authority, Department of Space, which has informed Doordarshan that it would be able to provide the required number of Ku-band transponders for this service.
FDI in print medium
If foreign investment in the electronic medium is taking up lot of government’s time, a group of ministers on foreign direct investment (FDI) has recommended that the proposal to allow 100 per cent FDI in scientific magazines and journals be placed before the Cabinet, Rajya Sabha was informed today.
“GoM on FDI has recommended the proposal for placing the publication of scientific and technical magazines, periodicals and journals for 100 per cent FDI through the foreign investment promotion board (FIPB) route for consideration of the Cabinet,” minister of state for commerce and industry Vidyasagar Rao said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
The GoM has recommended raising FDI caps in telecom, civil aviation and oil and natural gas for the Cabinet’s consideration, the minister added.
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.
