GECs
Space, Sun to get DTH LoIs in ‘day or two’
NEW DELHI: Star India’s long wait for the launch of a direct-to-home service in India looks finally to be coming to an end.
The decks have all but been cleared for the issuance of letters of intent (LoI) to two DTH applications pending with the information and broadcasting ministry. Space TV, the Tata Sons and Star group 80:20 joint venture and the Sun Group’s proposed DTH platform Sun DirectTV
The newly appointed Information and Broadcasting secretary S K Arora confirmed today that his ministry would be issuing “in a day or two” letters of intent relating to the DTH licence of Space TV and Sun DirectTV. The scrutiny “process is complete” as all queries have been satisfactorily answered by the applicants, Arora said.
This ends a long and tortuous wait for Star in particular, which has been in quest of a DTH licence since 2002.
The LoI will be the first step en route for ‘okaying’ the DTH venture. With the LoI in hand, the applicants can formally go ahead.
The applicants have to deposit Rs 100 million on receiving the LoI, after which another set of clearances will fall in place.
It may be recalled that the earlier Space TV application had to be made afresh in 2003 as the government was of the opinion that the Indian partnership was more of a dummy.
Of course, no such issues confronted Sun TV supremo Kalanithi Maran in regard to his Sun Direct TV Pvt Ltd.
GECs
Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe win Masterchef India season finale
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor joins judges for emotional MasterChef finale
MUMBAI: The latest season of MasterChef India concluded on a high note, with brothers Vikram Gandhe and Ajinkya Gandhe crowned winners in the grand finale aired on Sony Entertainment Television.
The duo from Nagpur lifted the coveted trophy and donned the show’s signature golden apron after a season that celebrated India’s diverse culinary traditions under the theme “Pride of India”.
This edition of the popular cooking reality show introduced a new jodi format, with 50 pairs from across the country competing in the Masterchef kitchen. Contestants brought personal stories, regional flavours and family bonds to the competition.
The grand finale featured the final three pairs: Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe (brothers), Saisree and Chanda (mother and daughter), and Anju and Manju (sisters).
The finale was attended by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who joined the show’s judging panel comprising Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar and Kunal Kapur.
Kapoor said the show has long served as a platform to celebrate India’s rich culinary heritage and provide passionate home cooks with a national stage. He noted that the current season reflected a confident India that takes pride in its roots while embracing new culinary ideas.
Judge Vikas Khanna said the contestants’ journeys and the memories created during the season would remain with the team long after the show’s conclusion. Ranveer Brar described the show as a family that continues to grow with every season, while Kunal Kapur praised the contestants’ creativity and determination.
With the finale now concluded, the latest season of MasterChef India once again highlighted how food can reflect identity, heritage and storytelling, inspiring home cooks across the country to pursue their culinary ambitions.
