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TRAI to be renamed to DCRAI
MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s name has been rechristened. From now, it will be called as the Digital Communications Regulatory Authority of India (DCRAI). The announcement was made at the annual general meeting of the telecom infrastructure body (TAIPA) by the Telecom minister Manoj Sinha.
The post of TRAI chairman has been changed to Digital Communications regulator, said Sinha speaking to RS Sharma. The time frame hasn’t been finalised but he expects it to be formalised soon.
The Telecom Commission has also been renamed to Digital Communications Commission at the Department of Telecom.
Sinha explained how telecom infrastructure has played a crucial and important role in the development of the telecom market in the country these past years by enabling rapid rollout of towers from a mere 1 lakh in 2006 to 4.71 lakh currently.
TRAI chairman RS Sharma said, “NDCP talks about creating tower authority. The policy very clearly lays down to prepare India for digital tomorrow.” The new policy will be transformational as it lays down quantifiable objectives – $100 billion investment, 50 Mbps download speeds.
Since 93 per cent of data transportation is happening on wireless networks, Sharma said telecom infrastructure is crucial. “Therefore it is appropriate that we put together all our efforts, if you want to be ready for 5G, you need to put massive infrastructure,” he said. Sharma also mentioned that TAIPA chairman Akhil Gupta had said that 5G infrastructure will require hundreds and thousands of more towers. Many of them will be small cells. He has requested the minister to summon a high-level conference of ministers and IT secretaries of state.
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.
