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Star hopes to connect with cell phone users through Cellnext
MUMBAI: Cellnext Solutions Limited, an Escorts Group IT company and Star India have announced a comprehensive SMS service that will provide interactive service to television and radio shows aired on Star channels.
Offerings from the service include participation on shows/contests, astrology, song requests, bidding (for CDs of the Star promoted pop group Viva and a book on Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan). All Star channels including Star Plus, Star Movies, Star Gold, Star World have been roped in for the service. Mobile owners will now have access to entertainment applications ranging from television schedules, dedicated song requests, movie options, contests, voting and opinion polls. Also included are ring tones, logos, birthday wishes to celebrities, music messaging, cricket and horoscope, says a company release.
More value-added services are likely to follow soon. For mobile operators, this development is expected to convert into another high traffic generation platform. Says Star Group COO Sameer Nair: “With more and more TV programming turning to interactive mode, making our bouquet accessible on cell phones is one more step towards Star’s concern for its discerning viewers. This technology is designed to bring viewers closer to the channel.”
For viewers, this is a state-of-the-art opportunity on issues ranging from current affairs and politics to music and entertainment via SMS. Instant viewer or listener participation has not available to Indian broadcasters so far, making it difficult for television programming to actively incorporate viewer and listener opinions and preferences, the release adds. Cellnext claims to be focused on product development with an existing product portfolio of multi-component Messaging Engines, Telco Content Aggregation Platforms and Enterprise Application Integrators.
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.
