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Prasar gives ESS till Monday to make new offer on cricket production for pubcaster
NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati is likely to take a decision by Monday as to whether it would agree to a proposal from ESPN Star Sports (ESS) to produce pre and post match programmes during the cricket World Cup on Doordarshan or do a similar thing in-house.
“A final decision on the matter is likely to be taken by Monday whether we will have ESPN-Star Sports or do the pre and post match programming in-house and then market it to earn some additional revenue,” KS Sarma, chief executive of Prasar Bharati, told journalists after attending a board meeting here today.
Explaining the genesis of the whole issue, Sarma said that ESS had come to DD with an offer wherein the company wanted to buy airtime on DD and produce pre and post match programming during the World Cup.
“But ESS is still to get back to us after we put forward some conditions and also the commercial terms,” Sarma said, adding, that by Monday a decision would have been taken either way.
At the time of posting this report a response was still awaited from ESPN Software India managing director Manu Sawhney on the issues raised by Sarma.
Asked by journalists whether he would go with the classy productions of ESS or depend on Doordarshan talent to produce cricket programming, Sarma smilingly said, “At the moment, the balance is tilted in favour of in-house programming as we have some very good producers, a huge archive and can draw from our impressive list of sports and cricket experts.”
Queried further on the conditions put forward to ESS by DD, Sarma said, that it has been made clear to them that neither ESPN nor Star Sports logo would be allowed to appear on the screen (on DD) as also commentators would not be allowed to sport any shirt or jacket with the sports channels’ logos.
Asked by indiantelevision.com about the commercial terms, Sarma said, “We would certainly not like to give out airtime to ESS, a competitor, on DD at normal telecast fees and would prefer a higher rate.”
What would be the higher rates? “At least three times the normal telecast fee,” Sarma said, adding that, for example, on DD Metro between 1:30-2 pm the telecast fee is about Rs. 50,000 per 30 minutes.
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.
