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Prasar Bharati softens, to pay ‘legitimate’ amount to BCCI
NEW DELHI / MUMBAI: Prasar Bharati today stuck to its guns that it has been handed the exclusive telecast rights for the Indian region by a court, but today softened its stand a bit on payment for the rights.
While insisting that the telecast rights could not be split up into satellite and terrestrial for the India region at least, a senior official of Prasar Bharati today said, “If the Indian cricket board insists, we are not averse to paying for the telecast rights what we feel is legitimate.”
Though the official did not elaborate on this today, it does indicate that DD may pay the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), through the Madras high court, which has asked parties concerned to maintain a separate account for the series, some token amount that would be much below what the Board had expected earlier.
According to unconfirmed reports, DD had offered BCCI for the rights a sum between Rs 500 million and Rs 800 million, minus the production cost that would be done by a third party. The big question of course is whether that is a take it or leave it offer on the pubcaster’s part. Because if it is, then the Indian cricket board is going to get peanuts out of this series by way of revenues. Current indications are that the BCCI will garner about $ 10 million (Rs 450 million) from the sale of international rights. The most likely candidate to get the international rights being SET Satellite Singapore.
Since the upper amount of Rs 800 million that DD is offering reportedly includes production costs and agency commission and sundry other cost add-ons, the pure cash inflow to the BCCI may well be the lower figure of Rs 500 million. Therefore if one deducts the $ 1.5 million (Rs 67.5 million) payout that is going to Trans World International as production fees, cash in hand for the BCCI out of the series could well be in the region of Rs 900 million.
It stands out even more starkly if one considers that the value attached by Zee Telefilms to this particular series when it first made its $ 260 million punt for the India rights was roughly $ 43 million (Rs 1.93 billion).
Meanwhile, at an empowered committee meeting on marketing today, Prasar Bharati maintained that Doordarshan would not only telecast the India-Pakistan cricket home series, but would also market them.
Prasar Bharati CEO KS Sarma had earlier told indiantelevision.com that DD has managed to sell a major portion of the air time inventory. Prasar Bharati may make some additional revenue from ad sales on radio as All India Radio would broadcast a running commentary for the matches.
A few days ago, Sarma and former BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya had met to discuss cricket-related issues after which Sarma had said DD has sold most of its airtime inventory.
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.
