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Worldspace launches in Ahmedabad
MUMBAI: Worldspace Satellite Radio, which delivers satellite-based digital radio services, is expanding its reach in India. It has announced launch of its subscription services in Ahmedabad.
The launch represents Worldspace’s eighth city serviced in India, resulting in market distribution available to more than 50 million people across the country, including nearly 29 million from the top three economic segments. This market entry also adds 42 stores into Worldspace’s retail points of presence. Worldspace chairman and CEO Noah Samara says, “Making the WorldSpace experience accessible across India is a primary business objective in 2005. We excited that, with our eighth city launch, we continue to expand our presence and deliver an unmatched variety of local, national, and global content.”
Adds Worldspace worldwide COO Andy Ras-Work, “Worldspace is pleased to deliver more stations, more variety and more genres of music to Ahmedabad than ever before. Worldspace Satellite Radio will enable Ahmedabad’s music lovers to unwind and listen to the music they want, when they want it, whether at home or at the workplace. We are confident that Ahmedabad’s music lovers will soon be drawn to Worldspace and will stay tuned to our wide bouquet of music, news, and information.”
WorldSpace radio sets are available at leading consumer durable outlets in Ahmedabad such as Altec Electronics and Sales India on Ashram Road; 30HA, Turning Point and Vibrations on C.G. Road; Rajdeep Electronics at S.P. Stadium circle; Pavilion Electronics on Shivranjani Cross Road; Harsha Electronics in Paldi; Hindustan Corporation on UNI Road and Shakti Electronics in Nehrunagar to name a few.
Worldspace states that what separates it from any other offerings in India is its wide variety of audio content. It offers more than 40 radio stations that span a range of musical genres, news, sports and information. Its content comes form from brands like the BBC, CNN, Virgin Radio, NDTV and RFI. Its Indian programming includes two Indian classical stations- Shruti (Carnatic) and Gandharv (Hindustani), as well as regional Indian stations, viz. Tara (Bengali), KL Radio (Tamil), Sparsha (Kannada), RM Radio (Malayalam), Spandana (Telugu) and Tunak Punjabi (Punjabi) and a spiritual and wellness station, Moksha, among others.
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.
