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ZTL floats STB schemes for consumers
NEW DELHI: The battle to enter the set top boxes into Indian cable homes, in the four metros initially, is getting interesting.
In order to send across a message to its critics and, what it calls, “support the initiative of the ministry of information and broadcasting in implementing Conditional Access System (CAS),” the Subhash Chandra promoted Zee Telefilms has said it has come up with two schemes for digital boxes “in the consumer interest” to be provided to the subscribers under Galaxzee, the brand name under which Zee is marketing its HITS (headend in the sky) concept.
Zee Network will provide to its subscribers the digital boxes under the following two schemes:
Plan I
Fully refundable security of Rs 3,990. A rental of one rupee per day will be charged. For bookings prior to 14 July 2003, six months’ rental will be waived.
Plan II
Fully refundable security of Rs 2,990 and a rental of Rs 1.50 per day will be charged. For bookings prior to 14 July 2003, six months’ rental will be waived.
A senior Zee executive said, “If the Central Government considers favorably the import duty reduction on the boxes, the schemes shall be reworked and the benefit will be further extended to the consumer.”
A Zee statement in this regard goes on to add: “It is expected that under the conditional access environment, the various pay channels will not increase their subscription rates for coming two or three years as they shall be achieving the growth in the paid subscriber base declarations.”
As per information available with indiantelevision.com, Zee has already dispatched some enior execs to South East Asian countries, from where the boxes are being sourced from multiple vendors, to give the green signal for the first shipment of boxes to be sent to India.
Now, that’s what we call sending down a googly, in cricketing lingo, when the batsman (read the industry) is expecting a traditonal leg break.
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.
