News Headline
New Skies reports marginal increase in 1Q revenues
NETHERLANDS: Global satellite communications company New Skies Satellites has reported revenues of $ 52 million for the three month period ended 31 March 2003.
The revenues represent an increase of $0.2 million as compared to $51.8 million for the same period last year. Operating expenses, excluding depreciation, decreased by $0.2 million from $23.2 million to $23.0 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003. The company has stated that this decrease reflects its success in managing costs incurred in response to the difficult business climate. .
Net income for the period was $3.6 million compared to a net loss of $17.0 million in the same period last year.
The first quarter operating highlights include
New Skies and Intelsat Global Sales & Marketing, Ltd signed an agreement during the quarter to use their existing orbital and satellite resources at a single orbital location to expand their respective commercial service offerings to the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
BT Broadcast Services doubled their capacity on the NSS-7 satellite to support the expanding Media Overseas direct-to-home television platform servicing West Africa.
Commenting on the quarter, New Skies CEO Dan Goldberg said, “The NSS-7 and NSS-6 satellites launched last year allowed us to augment our fleet with new and desirable capacity, and have attracted a number of key customers. Although we expect this capacity to drive our growth and profitability going forward, the addition of these satellites entails higher depreciation costs in comparison to prior periods.
New Skies Satellites is one of only four fixed satellite communications companies with truly global satellite coverage, offering video, voice, data and Internet communications services to a range of telecommunications carriers, broadcasters, large corporations and Internet service providers around the world. New Skies has six satellites in orbit, ground facilities around the world and one additional spacecraft under construction. The company also has secured certain rights to make use of additional orbital positions for future growth.
New Skies is headquartered in The Hague, The Netherlands, and has offices in New Delhi, Beijing, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Sydney and Washington, D.C.
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.
