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Pvt b’casters also to gain from new DTT model by Feb; Rs 320 cr budgeted
MUMBAI: Pubcaster Doordarshan is making strategic plans to expand its digital terrestrial transmission (DTT) service across India. The public broadcaster, which runs the service in 16 cities at present, will be expanding it to three more cities by March 2017. Plans are afoot to further expand DTT to 44 additional cities in two years. The pubcaster will invest around Rs 320 crore to achieve its targets by 2018.
Doordarshan has, for this purpose, also tied up with Indian Institute of Management – Ahmedabad (IIMA) to develop a relevant business model for the platform which it expects will be drafted by February 2017.
The DTT service is an internet-free distribution service, through which consumers are able to receive television channels on the move or at home through television sets, tablets and smartphones with the use of a unique dongle and a DD application.
Doordarshan director-general Supriya Sahu said that the business model would be ready by February. As reported by indiantelevision.com earlier, they might, Sahu added, share the capacity by auctioning channel slots to the private broadcasters, which could be a game-changer for the industry.
As reported by indiantelevision.com earlier, a consultation paper on Digital Terrestrial Transmission by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has been pending finalisation. Meantime, Doordarshan on 23 December held a workshop with stakeholders to explore the potential of DTT services. Experts from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, various stakeholders including Content providers, private broadcasters, receiver manufactures, and officers at Doordarshan participated.
DD, which presently has the exclusive domain over terrestrial broadcasting, ranks amongst the world’s largest terrestrial television networks. It has a network of 1412 analog transmitters that provide TV services through two national channels namely, DD National and DD News. In addition to this, the network also broadcast several regional TV channels over the terrestrial network in a time sharing mode to meet the local and regional needs of people in different parts of the country. All TV channels provided by DD are free-to-air.
In its paper, TRAI had asked whether DTT broadcasting should be opened for participation by the private players, and which model or a combination thereof for DTT will be most suitable in Indian context.
Also read
http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/dtt-could-be-thrown-open-for-pvt-sector-companies-160606
http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/dds-digital-terrestrial-transmission-meet-tomorrow-as-trai-paper-awaits-finalisation-161222
http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/trai/trai-extends-time-for-views-on-opening-up-dtt-to-private-players-160723
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.
