News Headline
‘North East Live’ to expand in 7 north-eastern states
KOLKATA: ‘North East Live’, a 24×7 satellite news channel from the house of Pride East Entertainments that was launched in Arunachal Pradesh last year is on an expansion spree. In the next six-seven months, the channel plans cover all the seven north-eastern states of India. As a part of that, the channel will be hiring 100 employees including journalists and technical staffs.
However, the channel, which was in talks with various multiple system operators (MSOs) and direct-to-home (DTH) players, had to bear the brunt of high distribution charges because of which it has even given up the plans of all India distribution for the time-being. “The high carriage fee demanded by them makes it difficult for us to subscribe,” said Pride East Entertainments CEO Caushiq Bezboruah.
Still North East Live can be watched at some places including Kolkata, few parts of Madhya Pradesh among others. “We have tied up with Siticable in Kolkata,” he said.
However, the company has opted for an AOS application that would increase its penetration and has even seen considerable downloads in the north eastern market. “Apart from the AOS application, our website also provides all the audio-visuals of the news,” said Bezboruah.
The Guwahati-based Pride East Entertainment also runs three other channels – Newslive, a news channel; and general entertainment channels (GEC) channels Rang and Ramdhenu. The company has around 350 employs working for it, of which, a team of 50 work for North East Live. “We have set up a studio at Arunachal Pradesh and for the Guwahati reporting, the infrastructure and manpower of ‘Newslive’ are used,” said Bezboruah.
The feed for North East Live is uplinked from Guwahati presently and the company will continue to do so in future as well, informs Bezboruah.
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.
