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Trai directs Zee Turner to restore signals to Asianet
BANGALORE/ MUMBAI: In what is going to be a shot in the arm for Asianet and its subscribers, Trai has directed Zee Turner to restore the signals to the former that had been cut in the intervening night of 15 December – 16 December 2004.
The regulator has also asked Zee Turner to furnish a compliance report within two days of receipt of this direction and to scrupulously comply with the requirements of regulation before disconnection of signals.
The regulator, in its order, observed that Zee Turner violated terms of clauses 4.1 and 4.2 of the inter-connect regulations it released on 10 December 2004. The clause 4.1 makes it mandatory for broadcasters or multi system operators to give notice of a specified period along with brief reasons to a distributor of TV channels before disconnection of TV channel signals. While 4.2 makes it obligatory for the broadcaster /multi system operator to give notice to discontinue signals in two local newspapers or national papers depending upon the area served or alternatively inform the consumers through the scroll in the channel.
In one of its arguments, Zee Turner had said that the letter to the complainant distributor was issued on 8 December 2004 prior to the regulations being notified and hence the regulation did not apply to this case. Another argument that it put forth was that the Trai regulation though dated 10 December 2004 have been issued to the public only after 17 December 2004 when the official notification has been made available to the public.
The regulator squashed Zee Turner’s argument stating that it is the date of actual disconnection that is relevant to judge whether the disconnection has been done before or after the coming into force of the regulation.
Zee Turner had switched off its signals to Asianet claiming that a large outstanding is due from the network. ZT also switched off its signals to Asianet for HBO on 10 January as the
stalemate refused to resolve itself. Zee-Turner bouquet includes channels like Zee Cinema, Zee TV, Zee English, Cartoon Network, POGO, CNBC and ZMZ.
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.
