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Sun given option to disconnect signals of Hyderabad MSO on non-payment of dues
NEW DELHI: Sun Distribution Services Pvt. Ltd has been given the option of disconnecting the signals to multisystem operator Lifestyle Communication of Hyderabad for not clearing its dues.
The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal said that it was satisfied that the MSO did not deserve any more indulgence as it had failed to make the payments as directed by the Tribunal. The Tribunal therefore recalled its restraint direction to Sun Distribution issued on 6 May and 4 September when time was given to the MSO against the petitioner.
However, the Tribunal said Sun Distribution must restore the supply of its signal to the MSO as soon as it receives the payment of the last installment in terms of the order passed on 6 May and also on clearance of the dues of licence fees for the current months.
The order came on a recovery petition filed by Sun Distribution for realization of its dues of licence fee.
Since a substantial amount of dues was admitted, the Tribunal had said on 6 May that the MSO will make an on-account payment to Sun of the sum of Rs One crore towards arrears for the analogue GHMC area for the period April 2014 to March 2015. “The payment shall be made in six equal monthly installments and shall also carry interest at the rate of 14 percent per annum. The interest will be computed from the dates, the payments became due till the dates of actual payment. In addition, the respondent shall also pay to the petitioner, monthly subscription fee for the aforesaid area at the rate of Rs 7 lakh per month”.
The Tribunal had been informed that the last installment payable by 31 October has fallen in default. Sun Counsel Abhishek Malhotra said the MSO had also defaulted in making payment of the monthly licence fees and the licence fees for the months of October and November had not been paid.
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.
