News Headline
Rumoured Birla pullout could spell bad news for Star
MUMBAI: Even while Star News is living from week to week as far as permission for uplinking its content is concerned, come media reports that Kumarmangalam Birla has decided to sell his recently acquired 25 per cent stake in Star India’s news venture.
Birla was one of seven stakeholders to take up a stake in Media Content & Communication India Pvt Ltd (MCCIPL), the content company Star floated last month to conform to Indian government guidelines for uplinking of news and current affairs TV channels from India. Star offloaded 74 per cent equity in MCCIPL to resident Indians while retaining 26 per cent with itself.
When contacted, an AV Birla Group spokesperson said the company had no comment to offer on the widespread media coverage that Birla (who took a stake in MCCIPL in his personal capacity) was pulling out from Star News. Company sources however, did say that Birla’s exit from Star News was “likely to happen”.
Star India head of corporate communications Yash Khanna, meanwhile, said, “As far as we are concerned these are all rumours. We have not received any official intimation on this matter from Mr Birla.”
If it finally transpires that Birla does indeed pull out of Star News, then Star would have to find another Indian partner(s) in double quick time because Star’s application is still to be disposed of and till that happens it has to reapply for an uplink extension every week.
Star had earlier furnished details sought by the home ministry on its shareholding pattern, but talk of Birla pulling out would have put a skewer in the works.
Of the 74 per cent equity Star offloaded in MCCS in favour of resident Indians, 25 per cent each was picked up by Birla and DSP Merrill Lynch chief Hemendra Kothari. Five per cent each was bought by Hindustan Times’ Vir Sanghvi, actor Jeetendra Kapoor and Maya Alagh, while lawyer Ryan Karanjawala picked up another four per cent stake.
The Press Trust of India has meanwhile, reported that the struggling Jain TV, promoted by Dr JK Jain, is interested in equity participation in Star News.
Jain told PTI he was keen to partner with Star through a group company NSTPL, which is into video up-linking and has a running teleport in Greater Noida.
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.
