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TDSAT dismisses Radio Mid Day plea for uniform frequency
MUMBAI: Radio Mid Day’s hopes of retaining its well known 92.5 MHz frequency hit a wall today after the sector regulator TDSAT dismissed its plea against the government’s decision to withdraw it.
The “big” beneficiary of the tribunal’s decision is the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG)-controlled Adlabs’ Big FM, which has been alloted the 92.7 MHz frequency, as part of its unified frequency regime, to broadcast from 44 radio stations across India.
Radio Mid-Day, which manages Radio One (formerly known as Go 92.5 FM), has been broadcasting in Mumbai for around four and a half years on 92.5 FM. This frequency band has grown to be the brand identification, according to Radio Mid Day.
But, Tdsat observed, “The importance of brand name of the broadcaster cannot be underestimated, particularly, in view of the provision in the “channel identity” clause which talks of brand name of the broadcaster. Frequency is not part of the brand name of the petitioner. The petitioner got its brand name changed, which was not objected to by the government. Petitioner’s (Radio Mid Day) popularity is through its brand name. It cannot insist on having a particular frequency number.”
Despite refusing to shift to 94.3 MHz, the brand Radio One is already broadcasting on this freqeuncy in Bangalore and Delhi. Tdsat pointed out that nobody makes any gain from the Radio Mid Day being shifted to another frequency. Rather it in the interest of Radio Mid Day that it will have same frequency i.e. 94.3 FM for all the cities for which it has broadcasting licence except Ahmedabad for which petitioner makes no grievance, highlights Tdsat.
Interestingly, the adovcate fighting the case on behalf of Adlabs had mentioned that Radio Mid Day has to change its earlier allocated frequency in any case because of the non-availability of 92.5 MHz at all.
This case has been fought over last two weeks. Radio Mid-Day had questioned the granting of 92.7 frequency to Big FM in Mumbai despite the norms of having a difference of at least 0.8 frequency between two stations. Radio Mid-Day had in fact first approached TDSAT seeking a uniform frequency for all its six radio stations across the country, but the government allotted different frequencies to it.
The information and broadcasting ministry had earlier allocated 94.3 frequency to Mid Day Group for Radio One in Mumbai and other cities except in Ahemabad. But the Mumbai-based company refused to switch to the new frequency asserting that 92.5 FM has grown to be its brand identification.
How Radio Mid-Day responds to this setback remains to be seen.
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.
