News Headline
Marcel Fenez re-elected as CASBAA Chairman
MUMBAI: The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) has re-appointed Marcel Fenez, Asia Pacific Leader, Entertainment and Media Practice of PriceWaterhouse Coopers for his second two-year term as Chairman. The decision was announced during the CASBAA 2003 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Singapore last week.
Also elected to the CASBAA Board of Directors 2004 for a two-year term are Star Group CEO, Michelle Guthrie, COO of cable operator UBC of Thailand, Francois Theron, CNBC Asia President & CEO, Alexander Brown, Turner International Asia Pacific President, Steve Marcopoto and Senior Vice President of MTV Networks Asia Pacific, Richard Cunningham.
AsiaSat CEO and CASBAA treasurer, Peter Jackson, Celestial Pictures’ CEO, William Pfeiffer and Discovery Networks Asia EVP and MD, Neville Meijers remain on the CASBAA Board of Directors 2004 for the second year of their two-year terms.
Also elected to the CASBAA Council of Governors, the Association’s most senior group, are Head of International Operations of ABC Asia Pacific, John Doherty, Mediaview (Encore International) CEO and EVP, Steve Smith and Sing Wang, CEO & Executive Director of the TOM Group.
Former association President and MTV Networks Asia President, Frank Brown, and Bloomberg LP media marketing Director, James Ross, stepped down from the CASBAA Board and Council of Governors after six years of serving as participating members.
CASBAA’s priorities for 2004 are fighting pay-TV piracy, promoting pay-TV advertising and driving industry development in India and China. New initiatives like launching training schemes, enhancing database of industry knowledge and increasing regulatory focus are also on the cards.
It was also announced during the meeting that the association’s two flagship industry events for the upcoming year would be the CASBAA Convention 2004 held from 26-29 October in Hong Kong, and the CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum 2004 held on 14 June in Singapore.
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.
