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Bangladesh Premier League to air on Neo Sports from 20 Nov
MUMBAI: The Harish Thawani-run NEO Sports is headed east. The sportscaster has acquired the broadcasting rights of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 tournament.
The third edition of the tournament is set to kick start from 22 November 2015. The opening ceremony is slated to take place on 20 November with some fabulous performances by Bollywood’s best.
The tournament which began in 2012 and continued in 2013 was not held in 2014 on account of financial complications. The rights for the Indian subcontinent were earlier with Star Sports.
But it was revived earlier this year and has attracted some good talent from cricketing nations the world over.
“It has been a good tournament over the past two season in terms of quality of cricket and players’ participation and hence we acquired its telecast rights,” says Neo Sports EVP programming Mautik Tolia.
The broadcaster says it will consider acquiring further seasons after the current edition. And over the next few days it is going to be pushing the telecast to viewers. “We will use our network as well as other broadcasters to promote the tourney. Also what we have witnessed so far the league has been hugely popular among youth and we will be targeting them through digital media too” asserts Tolia.
Elite Media Works’ Nitin Anand states, “We’re delighted to team up with Neo Sports this year as our media partners in India. Top class T20 cricket in a carnival-like atmosphere has proved a hit with fans everywhere and we expect the 2015 tournament to be bigger and better than before.”
The six team franchise tournament consists of Dhaka Dynamites, Chittagong Vikings, Barisal Bulls, Rangpur Riders, Sylhet Superstars and ComillaVictorians. The matches will be played at National Cricket Stadium and Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
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.
