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Star and Disney India postpones new channel launches till further intimation
Mumbai: Star and Disney India has deferred the launch of 15 (SD+HD) channels and renaming of one channel until further intimation.
“This is to inform all distributors of television channels that the launch of following 15 channels and name change of following one channel have been deferred till further intimation by Star,” it said.
The channel launches that have been held back include Star Gold Romance, Star Gold Thrills, Jalsha Josh, Star Movies Select, Pravah Pictures, Star Kirano, Star Sports 1 Tamil HD, Star Sports 1 Telugu HD, Disney Channel HD, Hungama HD, Star Gold 2 HD, Pravah Pictures HD, Vijay Super HD, Asianet Movies HD and Star Kirano HD. The renaming of Marvel HQ to Super Hungama has also been delayed till further notice.
The broadcaster had published its new reference interconnection offer (RIO) on 15 October mentioning the new channels and declaring the new channel and bouquet pricing in compliance with the new tariff order (NTO) 2.0. Star planned to launch its new channels between December 2021 and January 2022.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) notified that it has extended the deadline for implementation of NTO 2.0 till 1 April 2022. In the meanwhile, broadcasters must revise their RIOs by 31 December and distribution platform operators must report their distribution retail price of pay channels and bouquets by 31 January 2022.
The broadcasters’ association Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) and Trai have been embroiled in a legal battle on the matter of NTO 2.0 implementation. The final hearing of the Supreme Court on the matter is on 30 November.
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.
