Cable operators feel threatened by DTH firms: Soni
12 May 2012 2:39 AM GMT
The relentless beauty charms you instantly as she smiles, followed by the elegance in her tone, ensuring that the meeting with the Union minister of information and broadcasting Ambika Soni is a memorable experience. Her persona reflects poise and charm, which comes out in a conversation with Millennium Post.
What drove you to choose a career in politics?
I have always been passionate about politics. For a woman it is very difficult to balance her professional and personal life. But, when you take a decision and move out of your home, then you dedicate yourself to the public life.
Looking back, how has your experience been in the political arena, especially in the Congress?
I have had a wonderful experience, although there have been ups and downs. But, primarily, it has been a hugely enriching experience. I made an entry into politics in 1975 as president of the Indian Youth Congress. Apart from being a Rajya Sabha member, I have been a part of All India Mahila Congress, the state unit of the Punjab Congress and serving as party general secretary. Initially it was Mrs Indira Gandhi who encouraged me to join politics, and it was under her able guidance that I did do so.
What or who inspires you?
It has been Mrs Indira Gandhiji who has inspired me all through my life.
What are your plans of revamping the information and broadcasting ministry?
After being with the tourism ministry, this ministry was initially quite a challenge. But, it has been a great experience. We have brought quite a few changes and put new ideas in place.
Tell us your ministry’s plan of setting up a committee for convergence of all media and for the social media.
Although social media comes under the ambit of the telecom ministry, we do feel that it can definitely be a game-changer in the 12th Five Year Plan. Some time back, we started a page on digitisation on a social network. This followed a recent two-day training programme on social media the ministry held for 40 officers at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi. We did initiate a coordination committee for the convergence of all media, and asking for a more leveraged use of social media, as it is a great way to reach out to people.
Tell us about the digitisation of cable sector initiated by your ministry.
The reformed Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Bill, which aims to digitise the cable sector across the country, will be beneficial to cable operators. Firstly, I think that the critics of the bill are not fully aware of the discussions and arrangements which have been made by us as a ministry and also the guidelines which were initially announced by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Now you know that when in 2002-03, the process of digitisation was undertaken as CAS, there was resistance, because most of the cable operators thought that they would be out of job and they are estimated to be 40,000 to 60,000 in number.
Even though TRAI has suggested a complete digitalisation by 2013, the ministry feels that we needed more time for discussions with all stakeholders. The local cable operators and the all-India unions have given their commitment to this in writing. It is at their request that the government moves in this direction, because the cable operators today feel threatened by DTH operators. One million DTH subscribers are being created every month.
What drove you to choose a career in politics?
I have always been passionate about politics. For a woman it is very difficult to balance her professional and personal life. But, when you take a decision and move out of your home, then you dedicate yourself to the public life.
Looking back, how has your experience been in the political arena, especially in the Congress?
I have had a wonderful experience, although there have been ups and downs. But, primarily, it has been a hugely enriching experience. I made an entry into politics in 1975 as president of the Indian Youth Congress. Apart from being a Rajya Sabha member, I have been a part of All India Mahila Congress, the state unit of the Punjab Congress and serving as party general secretary. Initially it was Mrs Indira Gandhi who encouraged me to join politics, and it was under her able guidance that I did do so.
What or who inspires you?
It has been Mrs Indira Gandhiji who has inspired me all through my life.
What are your plans of revamping the information and broadcasting ministry?
After being with the tourism ministry, this ministry was initially quite a challenge. But, it has been a great experience. We have brought quite a few changes and put new ideas in place.
Tell us your ministry’s plan of setting up a committee for convergence of all media and for the social media.
Although social media comes under the ambit of the telecom ministry, we do feel that it can definitely be a game-changer in the 12th Five Year Plan. Some time back, we started a page on digitisation on a social network. This followed a recent two-day training programme on social media the ministry held for 40 officers at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi. We did initiate a coordination committee for the convergence of all media, and asking for a more leveraged use of social media, as it is a great way to reach out to people.
Tell us about the digitisation of cable sector initiated by your ministry.
The reformed Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Bill, which aims to digitise the cable sector across the country, will be beneficial to cable operators. Firstly, I think that the critics of the bill are not fully aware of the discussions and arrangements which have been made by us as a ministry and also the guidelines which were initially announced by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Now you know that when in 2002-03, the process of digitisation was undertaken as CAS, there was resistance, because most of the cable operators thought that they would be out of job and they are estimated to be 40,000 to 60,000 in number.
Even though TRAI has suggested a complete digitalisation by 2013, the ministry feels that we needed more time for discussions with all stakeholders. The local cable operators and the all-India unions have given their commitment to this in writing. It is at their request that the government moves in this direction, because the cable operators today feel threatened by DTH operators. One million DTH subscribers are being created every month.
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