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TV helped make cricket a religion, says Ganguly
NEW DELHI: Television has played a key role in making cricket popular in the country and the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has successfully created heroes turning the game into a religion in India today.
Stating this, the former captain of the Indian cricket team and Cricket Association of Bengal president Sourav Ganguly said other sports need to do the same.
Addressing a session on ‘Business of Sports’ at the 89th Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Ganguly said administrators need to capitalise on the existing pool and should not hesitate to promote talented players. Winning a medal in Olympics was bigger than winning in cricket but still cricket got more mileage because of the sporting heroes and idols that the game managed to create, he said.
In terms of financial sustainability, cricket is a huge example for other sports. BCCI has its own stadiums in almost every state which no other federation has managed to do, so far. Besides, he pointed out that the reason behind Indian Premier League’s success was the structured functionality of the organisation.
Indian shooter, world & olympic champion Abhinav Bindra said federations and the government had ample funds but it reached the players just 3–4 months before the Olympics. This was hardly appropriate as the sportspersons had to train for four years to be able to make a mark at the international level. He emphasised the need to focus on the process of preparation and not be bogged down by the outcome.
Indian athlete & summer paralympics 2016 silver winner Deepa Malik said the perception of the corporate world and the people towards para sports had undergone a sea change after India won the medals in 2016 Paralympics. But, this was just the beginning, she said.
The actual challenge was in getting the funds at the right time and the quantum of money required was far more than other games for para athletes because of the additional challenges they faced, she said. While CSR funds were welcome, corporates needed to adopt athletes and monitor the performance closely, Malik added.
Renowned sports journalist Boria Majumdar, who moderated the session, said countries such as Jamaica and Croatia whose sports infrastructure does not match even that of India were producing world-class, medal-winning athletes. Apart from IPL, he said, all the existing leagues like, ISL and badminton in India are struggling to survive financially.
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.
