iWorld
Trai consults industry to address limitations in satellite gateway operations
Mumbai: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Monday released a consultation paper on licensing framework for establishing satellite earth station gateway. The telecom regulator is seeking inputs from stakeholders on the issues raised in the consultation paper by 13 December and counter comments by 27 December.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked Trai to address the limitations with respect to satellite gateway operations as there are no provisions regarding the use of gateway by service providers established by a satellite constellation operator. As per the current licensing regime in India, establishing a satellite earth station is linked with the service license, and there are no specific license/provisions for establishing earth station by satellite operators for providing satellite-based resources to the service licensee.
The need has arisen to have a specific authorisation for establishing the satellite earth station gateway by a satellite operator or any entity having a tie-up with satellite the operator, noted Trai.
Trai will examine all factors holistically and recommendations for a framework for satellite gateway(s) operations may be suggested including the entry fee, license fee, bank guarantee, NOCC charges, and any other issues which may be relevant for MEO/LEO/HTS systems.
Trai has sought industry stakeholders’ responses to the following questions.
1. Whether there is a need for having a specific license for establishing satellite earth station gateway in India for the purpose of providing satellite-based resources to service licensees?
2. If yes, what kind of license/permission should be envisaged and the scope of the framework both technical and operational?
3. Whether such license should be made available to satellite operator or its subsidiary or any such entity having tie-up with satellite operator?
4. What mechanism/framework should be put in place to regulate the access to satellite transponder capacity and satellite-based resources of a satellite operator/earth station licensee by the service licensees to get the resources in a time-bound, fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory manner?
5. Whether Earth station licensee should be permitted to install baseband equipment also for providing satellite bandwidth to the service licensees as per need?
6. What amendments will be required to be made in the existing terms and conditions of the relevant service authorisations of Unified License, DTH License/Teleport permission to enable the service licensee to connect to the satellite earth station gateway established by earth station licensee/service licensee, for obtaining and using the satellite transponder bandwidth and satellite-based resources?
7. Whether the sharing of earth Station among the licensees (between proposed Earth station licensee and service licensee; and among service licensees) should be permitted?
8. What should be the methodology for the assignment of spectrum for establishing a satellite earth station?
9. What should be the charging mechanism for the spectrum assigned to the satellite earth Station licensee?
10. Comments on any related matter not covered in the consultation paper.
iWorld
Asha Bhosle, the unforgettable voice that sang a thousand emotions
The melody that defined generations has fallen silent, but her songs will echo forever.
MUMBAI: The voice that once lit up countless silver screens and brought rhythm to millions of hearts has stilled. Legendary singer Asha Bhosle, one of the most versatile and prolific vocalists in Indian film music, passed away at the age of 92 in Mumbai on Sunday. She was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on Saturday night after suffering cardiac and respiratory issues and had reportedly been unwell for several months.
Her son, Anand Bhosle, confirmed the news on Sunday afternoon. The last rites will be performed on Monday.
Born in 1933 into the illustrious Mangeshkar musical family, Asha began her journey in the golden era of Hindi cinema. She recorded her first film song at the age of nine in 1943 and, by the 1950s, had already carved a distinct space for herself in Bollywood. While her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar often took the more melodic, heroine-centric numbers, Asha quickly became the go-to voice for energetic cabaret tracks, dance numbers, and later, the full spectrum of emotional expression.
The 1950s–60s: Rise of the Cabaret Queen In the early decades, Asha was frequently typecast for “item songs” and Western-style numbers. Yet even within those constraints, she delivered unforgettable hits such as “Aaja Aaja” from Teesri Manzil and “O Haseena Zulfon Wali” from the same film. Her playful, sassy delivery gave these tracks a magnetic energy that still feels fresh today.
The 1970s: Peak Versatility This was the decade that cemented her legendary status. Songs like “Dum Maro Dum” (Hare Rama Hare Krishna), “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja” (Caravan), “Chura Liya Hai Tumne” (Yaadon Ki Baaraat), and “Yeh Mera Dil” (Don) became cultural touchstones. Asha proved she could swing from seductive to soulful with equal ease, working with almost every major composer of the era.
The 1980s: Emotional Depth and Ghazals After marrying composer R.D. Burman in 1980, Asha explored more nuanced, introspective territory. Her National Award-winning performances in Umrao Jaan (“Dil Cheez Kya Hai”) and Ijaazat (“Mera Kuch Saamaan”) showcased a matured, velvety voice capable of profound emotion. These tracks remain among the most cherished ghazals in Indian cinema.
The 1990s–2000s: Global Collaborations and Reinvention Even as newer voices emerged, Asha refused to fade. She collaborated internationally with the Kronos Quartet and released experimental albums. Later in her career, she lent her voice to younger composers and continued performing live, often sharing the stage with her granddaughter Zanai Bhosle.
A Life Beyond the Microphone Asha’s personal journey was as dramatic as her filmography. At 16, she eloped with Ganpatrao Bhosle, her personal secretary. The marriage ended in separation in 1960 after they had three children. In 1980, she married R.D. Burman in a union that faced family opposition but brought creative synergy. RD passed away in 1994.
Throughout her life, Asha remained grounded, often crediting classical music and ghazals for keeping her voice sharp. In a 2023 interview, she admitted she rarely listened to contemporary film songs, preferring the timeless works of Bhimsen Joshi and classic ghazals to stay inspired.
Her seven Filmfare Awards and two National Film Awards are merely numbers; the true measure of her legacy lies in the thousands of songs that still play in homes, cars, and hearts across generations. From the foot-tapping energy of “Dum Maro Dum” to the haunting beauty of “Mera Kuch Saamaan”, Asha Bhosle gave Indian cinema a voice that was simultaneously bold, tender, playful, and profound.
The golden era has lost one of its brightest stars, but the music she created will continue to refresh souls for decades to come. As the final notes of her extraordinary journey fade, India bids farewell to a voice that truly defined an era.
