News Headline
Star Sports to telecast India Pakistan hockey Test series live in Hindi
MUMBAI: ESPN Star Sports (ESS) will telecast live all the three matches the India Pakistan hockey Test series in Hindi from 17 February.
Airtel has signed on as the title sponsor of the series titled Airtel Cup, while Maruti Suzuki has been roped in as the associate sponsor of the series.
Star Sports has signed Jagbir Singh as an expert commentator who will team up with Sunil Taneja to take the viewers through the action on the turf. ESPN Star Sports will be showcasing the Airtel Cup in Hindi as a continuation of its efforts towards increasing Hindi presence on its channels.
ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd. managing director RC Venkateish said, “We are committed to the development of hockey and will continue in our efforts to accentuate the game to a new popularity level. It is heartening to note that our efforts are bearing fruit as more and more corporates are showing keen interest in India’s national game.”
ESPN Star Sports will telecast a 30-minute pre-match and a post match analysis show for the series. ESPN Star Sports’ presenter Sujata Padhmanabhan will host the show along with Jagbir Singh.
The first two matches of the Airtel Cup will be played in Chandigarh while the third match will be played in Jallandhar.
The Airtel Cup in India will be followed by a three match series in Pakistan. The Pakistan leg will be played at Rawalpindi (22 February), Faisalabad (24 February) and Lahore (26 February).
Schedule of the Airtel Cup
17 February – Chandigarh – 18:30 hrs – Star Sports
18 February – Chandigarh – 18:30 hrs – Star Sports
20 February – Jallandhar – 14:30 hrs – Star Sports
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.
