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Prasar Bharati to telecast, production BCCI’s choice
NEW DELHI: Acting on expected lines, the Madras High Court, in an interim order today, ruled that the upcoming India-Pakistan cricket series telecast be done by pubcaster Prasar Bharati.
According to sources in the BCCI, board members met today to decide on various aspects of the Indo-Pak series, including the still vexed telecast issue.
However, till late in the evening, no decision had been taken on who would do the marketing and production of the cricket matches. Neither has any decision been taken on the overseas rights. BCCI has also conveyed to Prasar Bharati that the marketing would be done by an independent agency on behalf of the cricket board.
The court also ruled that the production contract for the cricket series would go to any organisation that the Indian Cricket board deemed fit OTHER THAN the two warring parties to the dispute.
What this in essence means is that, like the previous three fixtures that were held last October-November involving Australia, South Africa and Pakistan (BCCI silver Jubilee ODI), it will be national broadcaster Doordarshan that telecasts the matches. And if the precedent of those fixtures are anything to go by, it looks likely that Dubai-based Ten Sports will do the production.
When contacted by indiantelevision.com, BCCI chief Ranbir Singh Mahendra cautiously said, “I will have to study the ruling with my lawyers before we make any decision on who will do the production.”
Zee Telefilms, of course, expressed happiness about the ruling. When contacted, Ashish Kaul, vice president, Zee Telefilms Limited said,”We are extremely pleased with the judgment of the Madras court. Though this is an interim judgement, we believe that the final judgement will put this entire case in a right prespective. For the first time, the courts have been able to see the nexus between BCCI and ESPN over telecast of cricket and hence has not allowed BCCI to give the production rights to ESPN.”
While Zee may have put up a brave front, the stock markets didn’t see the developments in quite the same light. The media major’s scrip was down 3.37 per cent on the day from its opening of Rs 153.85 and closed at Rs 147.25.
ESPN India MD RC Venkateish expressed his disappointment, but said that the company still respects the courts observations.
“Under the circumstances, it would seem that Prasar Bharati is in the drivers seat,he said. Asked, whether ESPN and Star Sports bottomlines would get hit because of the loss of the high-grosser Indo-Pak series, Venkateish explained that given the telecast impasse and the short notice at which things would have had to be organised, it would not have been possible to maximise revenue.
The advertising cost could have covered the cost of acquisition,but to successfully enhance the scope of affiliate revenue (susbscription revenue) ideally more time is needed, which would not have happened with the Indo-Pak
series,Venkateish said.
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.
