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TDSAT declines MP MSOs’ petitions for Star India signals
NEW DELHI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has declined separate petitions by Gwalior’s S R Digital and Ujjain’s Surbhi Diginet through which they had sought the signals of Star India.
TDSAT chairman Justice Aftab Alam and members Kuldip Singh and B B Srivastava, Iisting the matter for 20 January, gave Star India three weeks to file its reply. The two multi-system operators (MSOs) would file rejoinders in two weeks thereafter.
In similar petitions, the two MSOs had alleged that they had signed memorandums of understanding with Star India and also an agreement.
Counsel Vineet Bhagat for both MSOs submitted that despite executing an MoU and an agreement, Star India had provided boxes of only five channels. However, Star India had not activated the same. It was further alleged that Star India had not provided boxes of the remaining channels.
In view of this, the petitioner MSOs wanted that Star India should be directed to activate boxes of the five channels and provide the remaining boxes and activate them.
Arguing for Star India, counsel Arjun Natarajan said the broadcaster had not entered into any MoU and/or agreement with S.R. Digital and/or Surbhi Diginet. Therefore, there was never any occasion for SIPL to either hand over boxes or to activate them.
He also said that the MoUs and agreements filed with the petitions contained no signatures on behalf of Star India.
He added that there is no pleading in the petitions that counter-signed copies of MoUs and/or agreements have been withheld by Star India.
He added that S R Media is a collection agent of Star India and therefore it might have access to Star India’s stamp papers, IRDs etc and alleged that S R Media had colluded with S R Digital and Surbhi Diginet.
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.
