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Indo-Pak cricket: BCCI – PCB meeting postponed after Shiv Sena protests
MUMBAI: The eagerly anticipated talks between officials of India and Pakistan’s cricket boards’ – Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) respectively on bilateral series scheduled for December in UAE were cancelled on 19 October.
PCB chief Shaharyar Khan was scheduled to meet the newly elected BCCI president Shashank Manohar to discuss the resumption of cricketing ties between the two countries but plans were disrupted after Shiv Sena activists demonstrated at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai demanding cancellation of talks.
The meeting was re-scheduled for 20 October.
According to a PTI report, Khan and PCB’s executive committee head Najam Sethi arrived in India on 18 October to hold a meeting with Manohar for finalising the bilateral series.
According to reports, around more than 50 Shiv Sena activists stormed into the BBCI headquarters at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai chanting slogans against Pakistan.
Expressing his views on Twitter, Indian Premium League (IPL) chairman Rajeev Shukla tweeted, “Strongly condemns the attack on BCCI Office by Shiv Sena.”
He further said, “BCCI is a responsible body and will not do anything against national interest. Cricketing decisions should be left to BCCI.”
It may be recalled that recently Shiv Sena activists also forced organisers to cancel the concert of renowned Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali in Mumbai.
In the light of the demonstration today, it now remains to be seen whether any progress is made between BCCI and PCB with regards to the bilateral series.
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.
