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SES renews contract with Sony Entertainment Television Asia
MUMBAI: SES – a world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of 54 geostationary satellites – today announced a renewal of its contract with Sony Entertainment Television (SET) Asia.
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The new agreement will enable SET Asia to reach out to its subscribers in the UK and Ireland at SES’ prime orbital arc of 28.2/28.5 degrees East, as well as distribute its platform to affiliates across Europe.
The satellite operator serves almost 13 million satellite households across the UK and Ireland from its constellation of four satellites positioned at the orbital arc of 28.2/28.5. The company is in the process of a full fleet renewal at the prime orbital location: ASTRA 2F was launched September 2012 while ASTRA 2E was recently launched successfully on 30 September 2013. ASTRA 2G will be launched in Q1 2014.
SES chief commercial officer Ferdinand Kayser says: “We are delighted that SET Asia has chosen SES to continue to deliver their premium service at the orbital arc of 28.2/28.5 degrees East. This long-term partnership shows SET Asia’s confidence in our ability to provide leading edge technologies that will ensure seamless delivery of their service to subscribers.”
“Our prime service, SET Asia, has been on ASTRA satellites since 1999,” says SET Asia executive VP Neeraj Arora. “We have found the reliability and coverage offered by SES to be exemplary and we are very pleased to have renewed our contract.”
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.
