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STAR CJ Alive inks a deal with Siticable to reach 1.2 mn subscribers in WB
KOLKATA: With Kolkata emerging as one of the largest hubs of shopping from the comforts of the home, the home shopping channel STAR CJ Alive from the house of STAR CJ Network India, is looking at better penetration in West Bengal. The channel has tied up with the multi-system operator (MSO) – Siticable in order to reach more than 1.2 million subscribers in the state.
STAR CJ Network India – a joint venture between STAR Asia and the South Korean home shopping major, CJO Shopping – is also planning to expand its operations in Kolkata by leasing a warehouse in the next one year.
“Kolkata contributes around three-four per cent to the total turnover. We have tied up with Siticable for better penetration in the West Bengal market. STAR CJ Alive will be available on no. 121,” said Star CJ Network CEO Kenny Shin.
When Suresh Sethia, Kolkata director of Siticable was contacted, he said, this tie-up will help the channel to reach more than 1.2 million Siticable subscribers in the state.
After observing the growth rate of TV shoppers in the eastern and north eastern region, the channel might look at a warehouse facility in order to make the delivery faster, informed Shin. “We believe Kolkata is going to be our hub in the eastern region. We would like to expand our business in Durgapur, Darjeeling and Siliguri too,” he added.
The channel which was launched four years ago is one of the fastest growing shopping channels in the country and has 4.5 million registered users. “The television shopping industry is growing at a rate of 35-40 per cent whereas we are growing at a rate of 60 per cent in the current fiscal,” said Shin.
The television shopping industry in India is pegged at around Rs 2,000 crore and STAR CJ Network India enjoys a market share of around 30-35 per cent at present, Shin further added.
The channel is known to offer an array of products ranging from fashion, lifestyle, home appliances, kitchenware, digital services and lots more. “Going forward, the channel aims to cross five million registered customers by this month end, while in the next two-three years, it is looking at seven-eight million customers,” he concluded.
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.
