News Headline
Star fires open letter riposte to ‘TOI’, ‘India Today’
MUMBAI: The “print fight” (mainly) between India’s leading publication The Times Of India and leading broadcaster Rupert Murdoch’s Star has reached boiling point.
Over the past several days the TOI has been publishing articles either on the front page or prominently on inside pages (including the edit page), which at times criticised the manner in which Star News was proceeding regarding ownership structure. A recent report highlighted the fact that the government wanted to know how little was big for Star News.
Not one to take things lying down the broadcaster has issued an open letter, which appeared today in all major papers except (unsurprisingly) the TOI, and Economic Times. Two letters have been issued signed by Star India’s head of corporate communications Yash Khanna. They are addressed to the TOI’s editor as well as the India Today editor.
The former refers to the article ‘Star news equity: More than meets the eye’ which appeared in the TOI on 10 July. Star News claims to have gained a market share of 22 per cent. “This clearly shows that the channel is liked by the audiences in our country and considered an Indian channel. The channel is put together by a team that is 100 per cent Indian and it stands for an independent, balanced and unbiased flow of news to its readers,” the letter states.
The letter ends with Star stating the obvious which is that TOI has a vested interest in launching the attack.
Meanwhile Star’s letter to India Today relates to its DTH venture Space TV. The broadcaster has expressed concern over the piece ‘Loopholes Galore’ which appeared in the magazine on 14 July. “We fail to understand why you focussed on Space TVs paid up capital in relation to Star. We trust that you are aware that Rs. 10 crore is in fact only the amount of the non-refundable entrée fee required to make a DTH license application. We do not understand how you could have concluded that this is the total investment for the DTH business. “
Star’s letter says that India Today was wrong to state that MCCS’ application for a news channel was made on the Star News letterhead when in fact it was made on an MCCS letterhead. ” We do not see any anomaly between Ravina Raj Kohli carrying the titles MCCS president and Star News president,” states the letter.
Star has also accused India Today of using the nationalistic peg to raise alarm bells about Murdochs grand designs for the country. “Surely India Today is not trying to suggest that Indian audiences should be deprived of the right to choose the content they enjoy because that content is defined as foreign under the law.” states Star’s letter.
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.
