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Star Sports-ESPN shows on Wisden Awards
NEW DELHI: Star Sports-ESPN will feature a series of six programmes in the run up to the Electrolux Wisden Awards to be held in Mumbai on 30 October. The programmes will be presented by Mark Nicholas.
According to an official release Wisden also announced the panel of judges for the awards which comprises Barry Richards, Michael Holding, Ian Smith, Mike Atherton, Ranjan Madugalle, Rameez Raja, Richie Benaud, Steven Lynch, Ravi Shastri and Sambit Bal.
In the first episode, Nicholas will be joined by Atherton and former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop. The trio will look back on Australia’s amazing run of success in both Tests as well as one-day cricket over the last one year, the report added.
The panel will also reflect on the best batting performances in both forms of the game over the year. The first episode will also feature interviews with Australian Test captain Steve Waugh and one-day skipper Ricky Ponting.
In the future episodes, Nicholas will be joined by Rahul Dravid, former Australian Test batsman Mark Waugh, former South African international Darryl Cullinan and the enigmatic Zimbabwe cricketer Henry Olonga.
The six shows will look back on the performances of all international teams over the last year which included the World Cup, the Ashes, India’s tour to New Zealand and South Africa’s exciting series in England.
The series ends on 22 October with a focus on India’s year in international cricket featuring interviews with Sourav Ganguly and coach John Wright.
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.
