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Three Thaicom satellites permitted to provide services over India
MUMBAI: It’s being talked about as a bit of a regulatory breakthrough.
Thai communications and satellite space tech firm Thaicom Public Co Ltd’s 100 per cent owned Indian subsidiary IPStar India Pvt Ltd (IPstar) has got the go-ahead from the Indian National Space Promotion & Authorisation Centre (InSpace) to provide services through its satellites under India’s new space policy.
Among the birds that have got the go-ahead include: the ageing Thaicom-4 which was launched in 2005 and is also called IPstar! located at 119.5 degrees east, Thaicom 8 at 78.5 degrees east. The agency also granted an authorisation for Thaicom’s new satellite at 119.5 degrees East, Thaicom 9 , the next-generation satellite with software-defined high throughput technology that will be launched in 2025.
Thaicom’s satellite services will focus on delivering broadband satellite solutions to enhance India’s digital infrastructure, targeting not only rural markets but also underserved areas with connectivity challenges. This initiative aims to contribute to bridging the digital divide in the region while meet the growing and diverse demand for satellite services in India.
Thaicom’s chief executive officer Patompob (Nile) Suwansiri stated that the company is dedicated to “serving India in the long term. We are convinced that our extensive knowledge in the satellite industry and commitment to broadband service delivery will enable us to meet India’s insatiable demand for broadband connectivity, he added.
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.
