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Cricket saga: Sony out, DD in
NEW DELHI: Sony Entertainment TV India is out and Indian pubcaster Prasar Bharati is in. The cricket telecast drama continues to experience one twist after another.
The latest on the rights saga is that the Indian cricket board has preferred to go along with the national broadcaster, thereby ensuring removal of government interference, in place of Sony as had been announced two days back.
Confirming the latest developments to Indiantelevision.com, Prasar Bharati CEO KS Sarma said, “Yes, we have struck a deal with the cricket board in principle late Saturday night only.”
The deal envisages Doordarshan, the national broadcaster, getting exclusive terrestrial and satellite rights for the Australia, South Africa and Pakistan matches to be played in India.
Though the production of the matches would be done by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), DD would be paying the Board a flat amount of Rs. 30 million per day for the duration of a test match. This works out to
Rs. 150 million for a traditional five-day Test.
According to Sarma, the man who has been in the right places at the right moment, muttering all the right words, “Though the understanding with BCCI happened quite late on Saturday, but by Sunday evening we have managed
decent bookings for ads worth about Rs. 60 million.”
However, Sarma said that Prasar Bharati would go ahead on Monday with its announced intentions of joining issues with others on cricket rights in the Supreme Court, which is currently hearing a case filed by Zee Telefilms against BCCI canceling an earlier tender process that saw Zee emerge as the highest bidder for Indian cricket with a quote of $ 308 million.
“Saturday’s developments, notwithstanding, we would plead our case in Supreme Court on Monday,” Sarma said. BCCI officials could not be contacted for comments.
On Friday, Sarma had gone public that the organization would move the apex court protesting against BCCI awarding Sony with the matches as Prasar Bharati was the third highest bidder with a quote of $ 150 million.
As per a BCCI plan last week, the live feeds would be produced by the Dubai-based Ten Sports network to be shown on a Sony channel.
As the cricket rights saga was unfolding and getting into a legal logjam with parties moving the court, BCCI had earlier too tried to come to an understanding with Prasar Bharati, but was rebuffed as the asking price was “high”.
The BCCI-DD deal, however, is subject to any court directive that may come about in future.
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.
