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TRAI issues recommendations on cloud services
KOLKATA: Following a multistage consultation process, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released recommendations on cloud services.
The regulatory body issued a consultation paper on 23 October 2019 inviting inputs on the number of industry bodies, requirements for any CSP to become a member of an industry body, membership fee, governance structure and initial seeding of the industry body, etc. for comments and counter comments from stakeholders. Subsequently, an Open House Discussion (OHD) was held on 28 February 2020 at Delhi, where stakeholders participated and deliberated on the issues.
The salient features of the recommendations are:
. Initiating a light-touch regulatory framework by setting up an industry body through a three-step process: enrollment of CSPs operating in India; formation of an ad hoc body to frame broad rules, organizational structure, election procedure, etc.; and the election of office-bearers to take over it’s functioning as a regular industry-led body.
. Industry body to be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and to be formed using the approach followed for the formation of the M2M body by DoT.
. Scope of Cloud Service Providers, initially, to be limited to cloud service providers of Infrastructure as a Service (laaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) who are providing services in India.
. Telecom Service Providers not to be allowed to share infrastructure and platforms related to Telegraph with a Cloud Service Provider (CSP] who is not a member of CSPs’ industry body registered with DoT.
. The industry body so created to review its experience and further deliberate upon the need to form multiple bodies for different purposes, such as to address requirements of different market segments. DoT may require this review after two years of commencement of the functioning. of the first industry body, or such time as it considers appropriate.
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.
