News Headline
Rajat Sharma’s India TV to launch early 2004
NEW DELHI: A news channel of their own! It couldn’t have been a better Diwali gift for the 120-odd employees of the Rajat Sharma-promoted Independent News Service (INS), a television production house that is converting itself into
a broadcaster.
It’s official now that Sharma would be launching India TV, a 24-hour Hindi language news and current affairs (N&CA) channel, early next year. The uplink permission was obtained last year in a quiet manner.
According to sources, the whole project, being put together for the last six months with the help of Ernst & Young, would need investments to the tune of Rs 1,000 million, including transponder lease cost.
Initially, approximately Rs 700 million is being pumped into the news channel, to be beamed through `hotbird’ PanAmSat 10. The amount will also be utilised for acquiring real estate of about 80,000 sq. ft and building a state-of-the-art infrastructure, specially for transmission of N&CA programming.
To raise the initial funding for the project, promoter Sharma and his wife, Ritu Dhawan, have divested 26 per cent equity stake to two Indian investors who can be considered friends of the promoters, apart from being professionals.
In the future, INS promoters are looking at roping in another strategic partner who can take up to 23 per cent stake in the company. This would mean that the promoters would retain 51 per cent majority control of the company.
The company, however, is not looking at attracting foreign investment in the news channel venture.
INS has reportedly brought in professionals to handle various other related activities like distribution and ad sales, but the marketing aspect would be looked after by Euro-RSCG.
A former general manager with India’s long distance telecom carrier Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL), has
been brought in as the technical head.
Though India TV would like to stand alone like MTV, the likelihood of hitching up with one of the existing bouquets – Star, One Alliance and Zee Turner – for distribution purpose cannot be ruled out in the future.
The good news of turning the TV software house into a broadcasting company was conveyed to the INS employees in a personal letter sent to each of them by Rajat Sharma yesterday. The employee strength of the company goes up to 250 over the next two months.
Sharma’s letter sought to impress upon the employees and colleagues that after five years with Zee and almost five years with Star, it was time to move ahead. The obvious road ahead for Sharma was to launch his own news channel – India TV.
Sharma’s company, which produces the two editions of Aaj Ki Baat news shows on Star News at the moment, would cease to do so from this month-end. The reason: Star India feels that such news shows can be produced in-house.
Sharma decided to go ahead with a news channel – in a scenario where channels are mushrooming all over in India – after considering a IMRB-conducted survey which showed, there is still scope for a Hindi language news channel and the market can probably sustain it too.
Amongst the Hindi news channels currently on air are market leader Aaj Tak, NDTV India, Zee News, Star News and three Sahara Samay channels.
Doordarshan too proposes relaunch its news channel with predominantly Hindi programming.
The IMRB survey, commissioned by INS to gauge the market response, also highlighted the fact that Sharma’s brand equity is high amongst viewers – something that India TV would certainly like to cash in on to translate into
advertising revenue.
Meanwhile, INS’ studio complex located in Film City, Noida, is being given finishing touches at the moment. The complex has four floors; and one of the studio floors is understood to be the biggest in Asia.
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.
