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Trai looks into voice, data over cable
MUMBAI: After having dealt with some of the pressing matters of the broadcast industry, broadcast and telecom regulator has now trained its guns on removing hurdles in implementation of broadband solutions, including looking at ways to deliver voice and data over cable.
On Friday, an industry-regulator panel, under the chairmanship of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) advisor Rajendra Singh, met to discuss the various issues and create a bump-free roadmap for implementation of broadband solutions
The importance of the first meeting of the committee on broadband and telephony over cable TV network could be gauged from the fact that the panel is looking into ways of allowing voice and data over cable.
However, for such technologies to become a reality, nation’s cable infrastructure has to be spruced up and from a one-way broadcast medium has to be turned into a two-way interactive medium.
Architectural consideration is of paramount importance and, thus, one of the issued raised was that financial institutions should finance cable operators or any body interested in venturing into this business.
A Trai official, who was part of yesterday’s meeting, told Indiantelevision.com, “The meeting explored various possibilities of making delivery of broadband solutions hassle free. As part of this, the impediments and bottlenecks too were discussed in the first meeting of a panel that is likely to submit its report to the regulator in a month’s time.”
Another issue that came up was that of high customs duty on cable-related equipment. A suggestion from the industry was to have customs duties of broadcast and cable equipment at par with those levied on telecom hardware, which is on the lower side.
The 12 member committee, amongst others, comprises Trai advisors Rakesh Kakkar, A K Bhatnagar and S N Gupta, representatives of cable companies like Siti Cable, InCablenet, Ortel Communication and independent cable ops such as Vickky Chowdhry.
The next meeting of this panel would be held on 21 October in Mumbai. After getting detailed feedback from other members, Trai would compile them in the form of a report.
Telecom-cable operators’ partnership has the potential of increasing not only the penetration of cable TV from the present 61 million homes, but also values-added services and broadband solutions.
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.
