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Telemarketers penalised by TRAI for various violations
NEW DELHI: Fifteen telemarketers have been blacklisted while another 245 have been issued notices by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India for unwanted calls and text messages.
The regulator has also deducted Rs 1.36 crore security deposit for violations of various norms. TRAI, which had implemented Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations from 27 September 2011, had laid down that telemarketers have to deposit some amount to their service provider as security deposit.
The 15 telemarketers have been blacklisted from 27 September 2011 till 25 June this year, and the deduction of security deposit is for violations from 27 September 2011 to 30 July 2013.
There is a provision of deduction from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh in case of violation by telemarketers under the regulations. Telemarketers are required to register with TRAI in order to send commercial communications to telecom consumers.
Subscribers who have registered with the National Customer Preference Registry, earlier known as ‘Do Not Call Registry’ are not supposed to receive commercial communications.
A different set of numbers starting with ’70’ were issued to telemarketers to help unregistered subscribers identify commercial calls and decide whether to accept or reject them. But TRAI has come across instances when the commercial communication was not sent by the registered telemarketers.
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.
