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DD News to broadcast opening and closing of Commonwealth Games as Ten Sports remains unrelenting
NEW DELHI: Doordarshan News will telecast live the opening of the Commonwealth Games from Glasgow.
The telecast of the Games being held from 24 July to 4 August will commence at 1.00 am India time.
Programmes (Live/Highlights) will also be telecast during the Games on DD News. That apart, All India Radio will carry the live commentary of the opening and closing and events involving Indians.
Regular Highlight Capsules will be telecast daily by DD News. All events where Indians are taking part will be highlighted with live coverage.
I&B Ministry secretary Bimal Julka told indiantelevision.com that the Ministry wanted the telecasts on DD News.
It is learnt that DD Sports and Ten Sports failed to reach an agreement on the issue, and the Ministry issued a show cause notice to Ten Sports on Tuesday evening for declining to share the feed with DD Sports.
Julka said, “We have recommended to Prasar Bharati to show the games on DD News. The Board was of the opinion that it would be a loss of revenue if sports is telecast on DD National.”
He said that the primary news bulletins in the mornings, afternoons and evenings will not be disturbed, unless there is some sporting event involving Indians.
The Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow is considered a sports event of national importance, making it mandatory for the rights holder (Ten Sports in this case) to share the broadcast with Prasar Bharati under the Prasar Bharati (Mandatory Sharing of Signals) Act. The sports event is mandated to be carried on the terrestrial network to ensure that viewers who do not have access to cable or DTH services can also view the games. Usually, DD telecasts such events on DD National (which is a terrestrial network) and on DD Sports (available on cable and DTH) after working out an agreement with the rights holder with regard to marketing and revenue sharing. Under the Act, DD gets 25 per cent of the commercial revenue, the rest going to the rights holder.
Julka described as an exaggeration estimates by DD revealed that it would incur a loss of Rs 2.5 crore every day, totaling to a loss of Rs 27.50 crore in 11 days if it shifted its regular programming for the Games telecast.
Giving reasons for not shifting the Games to DD National, sources said around 2.8 million viewers may be affected by shifting DD News from the terrestrial mode for the period of CWG as compared to 115.3 million viewers if the games are shown on DD National. Similarly, DD National earns advertising revenue of about Rs 350 crore compared to Rs 5 crore by DD News which would be adversely affected.
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.
