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West Bengal government more amiable to CAS
NEW DELHI: Whether the cable industry-initiated move to implement CAS would be a success or not in Delhi is yet to be seen, but the implementation committee set up by the West Bengal government, which met on 15 December to review the situation, has suddenly started singing praises about addressability.
Information from Kolkata indicates that the West Bengal government is more amiable to the idea of CAS.
According to an internal briefing at the information and broadcasting ministry here in Delhi, the state’s implementation committee on CAS would meet to see if the Delhi scene could be replicated in Kolkata too.
An I&B ministry source said, “If everything goes well in Delhi, initial hiccups notwithstanding, then CAS may be rolled out in Kolkata too around mid January.” This would mean that Kolkata would watch the Delhi scenario for about a month.
However, the source pointed out that a lot would depend on the outcome in Delhi where, buoyed by a Delhi high court order, the multi-system operators and independent cable operators have routed all pay channels through a set-top box from 15 December midnight.
But new developments in Delhi seem to suggest that the rollout that was being initiated may not have such a smooth ride afterall. This is because a public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed by consumer bodies against implementation of CAS without proper safeguards for consumers.
Meanwhile, before the assembly election the West Bengal government had said that considering the fact that CAS was being deferred in Delhi and the state was not taken into confidence by the federal government while taking a decision to rollout addressability, CAS should be deferred in West Bengal too.
A letter from the state government to the I&B ministry had stated that apart from the above reasons, the state was not in a position to tackle law and order problems arising out of resentment due to additional expenditure on boxes.
In Maharashtra, of course, the Shiv Sena had warned that CAS would not be allowed to be rolled unless it was tried in Delhi. The I&B ministry, after consultation with the Prime Minister’s Office, had decided not to force the issue in Mumbai as a confrontation with Shiv Sena would have led to a political controversy.
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.
