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TRAI urges urban consumers to get STBs by end of month; rules out extension of Phase III
New Delhi,: Firmly ruling out any possibility of further extension of the deadline for digitization of cable television, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India today categorically said that cable TV services in urban areas in the country will be digital from January 1, 2016.
In a press release Trai also advised consumers of urban areas who are still receiving cable TV services without Set Top Boxes to avail and install these before the cut-off date in order to receive uninterrupted TV.
Trai said it had been taking steps for creating awareness amongst consumers and stakeholders by holding workshops and consumer outreach programmes about the implementation of DAS. Trai held a meeting with major stakeholders of the broadcasting and cable TV sector on December 1 with major stakeholders in the sector. Trai had earlier asked all stakeholders to inform it by 28 November for pending interconnect agreements or if they were facing any problems.
The broadcasters, direct-to-home operators and multi-system operators were asked to carry out exhaustive consumer awareness programmes about digitization of cable TV services so that the remaining customers in the urban areas are able to install STBs before the cut-off date of December 31.
Broadcasters of TV channels were asked to send advance intimation by December 7 to the cable operators about non availability of TV channels for retransmission in analogue mode to the consumers from January 1, 2016.
Trai noted that the progress of seeding STBs in DAS Phase-III notified areas is ‘satisfactory and a good number of customers are getting the benefits of digitization’.
Trai said that while Phase -I had covered the four Metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai by October 31, 2012; Phase II covered cities with a population more than one million (38 cities) by March 31, 2013.
Phase -III is aimed at covering all Other Urban areas (Municipal Corporation/ Municipalities) except cities /towns/areas specified for corresponding Phase-I and Phase-II by December 31, 2015. The final phase will cover the rest of India by 31 December 2016.
The list of urban areas covered under Phase III of digitization is available on the website of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (www.mib.nic.in).
At the outset, TRAI said cable TV is one of the most popular medium of mass entertainment and education and there are presently more than 100 million cable TV subscribers.
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.
