News Headline
Ten Sports to air Sania Mirza’s Dubai quest live
MUMBAI: Ten Sports has grabbed the opportunity being offered by new tennis kid on the block Sania Mirza’s stirring performances in the ongoing Dubai Duty Free Women’s Open. The Dubai-based Ten Sports has secured exclusive telecast rights for the remainder of the event.
Thursday’s telecast will include live coverage of Mirza’s quarter-final match, as well as a recorded replay of her brilliant win over the tournament fourth seed and World Number 7, US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Taj Television Limited (owners of Ten Sports) CEO Chris McDonald was quoted in a company release as saying, “We take great pride in providing relevant and entertaining sports content for the Indian sub-continent, and nothing gets bigger for the fans here than Sania Mirza’s wonderful quest in Dubai at the moment. Our viewers wanted to see her in action, and we are happy to serve them.”
Mirza is scheduled to play Thursday’s quarterfinal match against Jelena Jankovic of Serbia-Montenegro, who is ranked 28th in the world.
The live quarterfinal matches will be played in two sessions – evening 4 pm to 6 pm, followed by the night session from 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm.
The two semi-final matches are scheduled for Saturday, 5 March and the final is slated for Sunday, 6 March.
The 18-year-old sensation from Hyderabad upset world No 37 Jelena Kostanic of Croatia 6-7, 6-4, 6-1 in the first round, and despite a painful twisted ankle, got the better of a shell-shocked Kuznetsova 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the quarter-finals of the $ 1 million WTA event. She recently created history by becoming the first Indian to win a WTA event at her hometown Hyderabad last month.
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.
