News Headline
Shut on 1 Oct 2013, Prime News may never see the light of day
KOLKATA: Guwahati-based 24×7 satellite news channel, Prime News, which had downed shutters since 1 October, 2013, and was planning to go on air January 2014 onwards, may not see the light of day after all.
Reason being the owner, Suresh Prithani of Brahmaputra Infrastructure, has transferred cameras and other equipment from the studio to his godown, and is said to be in talks with investors to sell off the erstwhile channel’s assets.
The channel was shut down on 1 October last year, after just a day’s notice from the management which cited a financial crisis as reason.
Prithani had purchased Prime News from its founder and head of Jeevan Suraksha Group, Chandan Das, in 2012, and was in discussions with short film director Rishi Raj Borkotoy to sell part of his stake in the channel for a sum of Rs 6 crore. However, Borkotoy went back on his word, forcing Prithani to “put cameras and other equipment of Prime News on sale,” an industry source revealed.
According to a former employee, “Prithani repeatedly made promises of increments and investments in the channel but never did anything to improve it. In fact, some senior journalists quit as he started interfering with the editorial policy, in a bid to maintain profits.”
As for Borkotoy, some media sources said, “The director had never pumped in Rs 6 crore to acquire a part stake. It was just a rumour.”
It is further learnt that when the channel shut shop, the management agreed to pay two months’ salary as compensation to all its employees. However, the amount was paid over a total of five months instead. More than 170 employees including journalists were left jobless by the channel’s closure.
A media analyst expressed the view that though Assam, with a population of over 30 million, supports 26 morning dailies, seven privately-owned satellite news channels with a few entertainment and cable channels, the state media got a jolt because of the sudden closure of two dailies in March followed by the closure of Prime News in October, last year.
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.
