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More ‘exclusive’ channels for Zee’s DishTV
MUMBAI: Three more exclusive movie channels are expected to come on board Zee’s direct-to-home (DTH) venture DishTV, after Smile and Premier TV – the two home grown Zee channels – made their appearance on 2 October.
The ASC Enterprises-promoted DishTV made its debut in certain pockets of the country on Thursday, for Rs 100-plus-taxes for a basic bouquet of 48 channels; and an introductory offer of Rs 3,990-plus-tax for the CPE (Customer Premise Equipment) including a vanilla set top box.
The channels currently offered on DishTV include the Zee bouquet and the Alpha clutch of regional and free-to-air (FTA) channels, plus some uncommon channels.
The basic tier is being beamed into 800-odd homes across Jammu and Kashmir, Coimbatore, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, reports state.
Smile TV, the comedy channel and Premier TV, a movie channel, are part of the premium tier, and customers have to pay Rs 10 extra for each of them.
According to an ASC spokesperson, over the past few years, the DTH satellite industry has emerged from nowhere with the launch of 55 DTH platforms worldwide. Subscribers to DTH platform or satellite premium services worldwide had skyrocketed to reach 60 million households in 2001, representing 200 million viewers, with an impressive growth in revenue to Rs 1,100 billion in 2001.
Another 45 million households receive FTA channels through DTH.
Zee Group plans to push the service in areas where cable TV penetration is weak, attempting to break into Doordarshan territory. Additional vice-chairman of Zee Telefilms Jawahar Goel, had recently told indiantelevision.com that the company plans to offer DTH service to consumers who are unable to get cable television.
Goel said that the company did not see an overlap of DTH service with its existing cable operations. “The set-top box need under conditional access regime cannot be upgraded to the DTH platform,” he added.
The number of channels that can be carried on the DTH platform is limited unlike in the normal cable operations.
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.
