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Cricket World Cup: Over 100 million Indian viewers tune in on opening day
MUMBAI: This year’s biggest sporting spectacle – the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 – has recorded an impressive opening with 101 million Indian viewers (TAM data CS4+ extrapolated to the universe using a standard conversion factor) tuning in on the first day of tournament that takes place once every four years. The inaugural day saw New Zealand vs Sri Lanka and England versus Australia face off in the opening stages for the Cup.
Approximately 67 per cent of the viewership for the opening day’s game, Australia versus England, came from Hindi plus vernacular feeds with English at 33 per cent. This reflects a shift as compared to the prior edition of the World Cup where English dominated with a 55 per cent share according to the network. The World Cup broadcast was bolstered by new look graphics and multi lingual feed (six languages).
The World Cup buzz renewed the Australia – England rivalry as viewers lined up to watch the co-hosts take on their arch rivals, irrespective of the time zone. The 9 am game delivered 2.5X of the ratings of the recently concluded Tri-Series and over ten times the viewership of any other Australia-England game, including day and night matches, in the last one year claims the network.
With nearly four million households having access to HD, Star Sports aired the games across a network of four HD channels including the newly launched Star Sports HD3, which is an all Hindi HD channel for sports.
The World Cup buzz also dominated social trends online with fans being vocal in their enthusiasm. The opening day witnessed 1,31,000 conversations from 80,000 unique authors delivering one billion impressions (in India) for the two matches.
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.
