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India cricket: DD to get live feed for ODIs, Test highlights
MUMBAI: The battle for telecast rights to Indian cricket appears to have narrowed down to ESPN Star Sports versus Zee Telefilms, but one surety is already in place. Whoever ultimately gets the coveted property, national broadcaster Doordarshan will be in on the party.
ESPN Software India MD RC Venkateish confirmed as much to indiantelevision.com, stating that as per the agreement in place with DD regarding the India rights, ESS has committed to provide the terrestrial broadcaster with the live feed of all One Day Internationals while retaining exclusive live telecast rights over the Test matches.
As regards the Tests, DD will be provided a daily highlights package, Venkateish said. For the ODIs, the revenue share would be on a 25:75 ratio in favour of ESS.
Prasar Bharati CEO KS Sarma said as much in comments made to the Press Trust of India: “Both Zee and ESS signed the agreement with us just before they submitted bids for the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) tender.”
The BCCI had called for bids to the telecast rights of approximately 130 days of cricket between October 2005 to September 2009. The bids, which closed on 26 August, are expected to be opened any time this week.
The BCCI had set a floor price of $2.14 million per day of cricket, totaling to a minimum of $278.2 million for 130 days.
According to industry estimates, Zee has bid $ 350 million, ESS $325 million, Sony in the region of $250 million and Prasar Bharati $225 million. Channel executives that indiantelevision has subsequently spoken to have, however, disputed these numbers so a final confirmation would have to wait for the opening of the bids.
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.
