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No deferment of CAS deadline: BJP
NEW DELHI: Does the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), leading the coalition government in India, want the implementation of conditional access to be deferred? As of today, the official answer is no.
After addressing a press conference here today , BJP’s spokesperson and a member of Rajya Sabha (Upper House) M A Naqvi told indiantelevision.com, “There is no question of a rollback on the decision (to implement CAS from 14 July in four metros).”
He further said that the party, totally behind the government and the decisions taken by it, has no immediate plans to “discuss the issue of CAS” within the organisation.
“There is no proposal at the moment to discuss CAS within the BJP,” Naqvi said.
When asked by indiantelevision.com whether the party president Venkaiah Naidu or deputy prime minister L K Advani have brought up the issue formally in the party, Naqvi replied in the negative.
However, he added that since the BJP is a democratic party, any member could bring up an issue that can be discussed by the party. “But I can tell you that as of today, there is no such move on CAS,” Naqvi, a former minister of state for information and broadcasting ministry, explained.
Though for the present this statement lays to rest speculations on deferment of CAS implementation deadline, BJP watchers here opined that in politics anything can happen at any time. They also felt they will not be surprised that 10 days from now, BJP actually does a U-turn and says it wants the government to defer the 14 July deadline in public interest.
In the capital, there was lot of interest about the BJP press conference as the industry wanted to see if some signals were emanating from the party post hectic lobbying for and against CAS implementation.
So much so that a section of cable operators chose today to present a memorandum on CAS to senior functionaries of the government. Yesterday, the National Cable & Telecom Association had presented a memo to the president, prime minister and the deputy prime minister of the country urging that the government should not delay CAS implementation. Today’s memo was also on the same lines.
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.
