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Government may mandate sharing of sports telecast rights
NEW DELHI: It’s not just terrestrial feed of sporting events that pubcaster Doordarshan is angling for. It wants rights for its DTH service too. And, a section of the government is ready to play ball.
Private sports broadcasters are in for some serious trouble if the government okays a legislation mandating sharing of telecast of sporting events of national importance with pubcaster Doordarshan on a compulsory basis.
“For the purpose of ensuring the widest availability of viewing in India (of sporting events)… on a free-to-air basis, broadcasters having distribution/broadcast rights for India of such events, shall be obliged to offer the terrestrial and DTH broadcast rights to Prasar Bharati,” a note prepared by the information and broadcasting ministry states.
Of course, in an effort to seem fair to the industry players, the note adds that feeds of sporting events of national importance should be made available to Prasar Bharati, which manages DD and All India Radio, on terms and conditions “to be mutually agreed upon.”
This particular part of the proposed legislation is contained in the draft uplink and downlink policy that is now being studied by a group of ministers headed by defence minister Pranab Mukherjee.
The I&B ministry has backed its proposal by asserting that similar dispensation is available in the UK, Australia and Ireland and in the European Union (EU).
“The EU in its ‘TV without Frontiers’ directive had asked its member-states to make available suitable provisions in their domestic legislation to ensure that important events are available to the general public on a free to air basis,” the note asserts.
The government has proposed that a list of sporting events of national/public interest will be notified as soon as a Cabinet nod is obtained without waiting for an omnibus legislation being planned.
Interestingly, in its submission to the I&B ministry, Prasar Bharati has said that the bundling of satellite, Internet and terrestrial rights by rights holders (read, private sports broadcasters) is “not a healthy practice” for the pubcaster.
After having listed some reasons given by private broadcasters in getting all the rights of an event, Prasar Bharati goes on to add that whatever may be the reason, “it would be a good idea to pin down the rights holders to prevent them from packaging.”
And, why doesn’t Prasar Bharati bid for rights (cricket rights to be specific) since that is what rolls in the moolah?
Prasar Bharati has justified its stand thus: “Uncertainties in the events finally happening, which is not uncommon, makes the entire exercise speculative with high risks, which is generally not appreciated by the Comptroller and Auditor general of India since it tantamounts to playing with the taxpayers’ money.”
Further, it has been pointed out that no public broadcaster in the world has bid for such rights sold overseas by any cricket board.
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.
