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Prasar Bharati calls for bids to hawk airtime for BCCI events telecasts
MUMBAI: The Prasar Bharati has thrown open the air time sales of all BCCI events conducted by the latter in India to private parties. The period for which media sales partners are being sought is up to 30 September 2004.
The Prasar Bharati had in 1999 bagged the BCCI telecast rights for five years coughing up close to Rs 2,270 million. At that time Prasar Bharati had pocketed the rights to telecast 135 days of international cricket and 21 days a year of major domestic cricket tournaments.
It had then looked around for a marketing agency, appointing Zee Telefilms’ affiliate, Buddha Films when its bid of Rs 4,500 million’s topped the list of companies which offered to market the matches. But then Buddha Films failed to deliver on its commitments and had its contracts cancelled and even its bank guarantees encashed by Prasar Bharati. The Prasar Bharati awarded the overseas marketing rights for networks in Australia, South Africa, the US, the UK, to Stracon-TWI combine for $43.75 million (Rs 1925 million).
Since then it has been providing the domestic air time rights to private agencies on a series by series basis.
With this new initiative, it looks like it is once again looking for a long time air time sales partner. Competition in sports television has hotted up with telecast rights for various sports events being carved out between ESPN-Star, Ten Sports, SET Max, and DD.
Applicants can get details of the bids from the Director (commercial) on payment of Rs 5,000 by Demand Draft in favour of ‘Prasar Bharati Canara Bank Account’ payable at New Delhi. The last date for receipt of the sealed bids is 20 August.
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.
