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South Mumbai cable body files CAS-related PIL
MUMBAI: Even as consumer organisations mull over filing public interest litigation (PIL) against proper implementation of the conditional access system (CAS), here’s one from a rather surprising source – a group of cable operators.
The group, which calls itself the South Mumbai Cable Operators’ Welfare Association has lodged a petition which will come up for hearing tomorrow (29 May) in the Mumbai High Court.
The South Mumbai Cable Operators’ Welfare Association, which claims to be a registered entity with the Central government’s office of the charity commissioner (Mumbai), has filed the petition number 1417/03 urging the government to ensure that the CAS rollout is smooth. A vacation bench of the Mumbai High Court chaired by Justice JP Deodhar will hear the petition tomorrow and decide whether to admit it or not.
The association claims to have 300 members between Colaba (south Mumbai) and Mahim (central Mumbai). The petition has sought government intervention in order to streamline the proposed implementation of CAS. The association’s secretary Polly Nagwaswalla has expressed concerns that the new technology would result in chaos and confuse the consumer.
Nagwaswalla is a cable operator who operates in Mumbai’s Grant Road area. The petition mentions the registered office of the association as being located in Glass building on J Jehangir Road, opposite Bhatia hospital, Grant Road, Mumbai 400 007.
The petition also mentions that nearly 1 million households in Mumbai will be affected by the process of CAS implementation.
It might be recollected that a division bench of the Mumbai High Court comprising Chief Justice CL Thakker and Dr Dhananjay Chandrachud had postponed the crucial hearing of the “cable case” to 18 June 2003. An association of Mumbai-based cable operators have filed a petition with the vacation bench of the High Court.
Also read:
Mumbai High Court postpones cable case to 18 June
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.
