News Headline
Nimbus Sport bags commercial rights of Challenger Trophy 2005
MUMBAI: Nimbus Sport has bagged the commercial rights to the Challenger Trophy 2005 and will market all rights to the same including broadcast, licensing and sponsorship rights.
The tournament will be played over four days, starting from 10 October 2005, with the finals being played on 13 October 2005. The Challenger Trophy will have the 36 best available players in India in action.
The Challenger Trophy 2005-06 is being staged by the Punjab Cricket Association and will be a key determinant in choosing the India team to face Sri Lanka next month.
Live coverage is being produced by Nimbus Sport, which is the producer of all international cricket played in India 2002 – 2004, and international events like the ICC Champions’ Trophy Sri Lanka 2002, Max special coverage of the ICC Cricket World Cup South Africa 2003, the ICC U19 World Cup Bangladesh 2004, and the appointed production company for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy India 2006.
Punjab Cricket Association president I S Bindra said, “India has shown the way as far as marketing international cricket is concerned, and now we are determined to do the same for first class cricket in India. This is a going to be a spectacular effort, pioneered by the PCA, to market first class matches and we are delighted to be partnered by Nimbus Sport.”
Nimbus Sport president Satish Menon said, “The Challenger Trophy 2005-06 is more important than ever before – the Indian team composition hangs in the balance. No other big cricket is taking place between 10 -13 October – the event is positioned perfectly in the gap between the third and fourth games of the ICC Super Series in Australia. This will be a blockbuster 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.
