News Headline
ESS launches two Singapore channels
MUMBAI: ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has announced the addition of two new channels, bringing its total number of services in Asia to 11.
The two channels ESPN Singapore and Star Sports Singapore will air throughout the day. With that, ESPN has six services in Asia while Star Sports has five.
Others Asian ESS channels include, ESPN Asia, ESPN India, ESPN Taiwan, ESPN Philippines, MBC-ESPN (Korea), Star Sports Asia, Star Sports India, Star Sports Taiwan and Star Sports Southeast Asia.
According to an official release, ESS’ managing director Rik Dovey says, “This is part of our customisation strategy to bring our brands closer to our viewers. Having dedicated commercial streams featuring local advertisers, will also enhance ESPN’s and Star Sports’ relevance in Singapore. We have done this in India and Taiwan and the returns, in terms of brand equity and consumer loyalty, are very apparent. This shows the importance we place on Singapore as a key TV market.”
The release adds that ESS programming has continued to rank top among cable channels in Singapore. Peoplemeter data showed a single English Premier League match on ESPN and Star Sports rating up to 10 times more than the best programme on other cable channels. It also reaches 167 per cent more viewers than all the cable news channels put together.
Other peoplemeter data showed that 51 per cent of all cable individuals watched SportsCenter Asia,. The number jumped to 54 per cent among professionals, managers, executives and businessmen – way ahead of the competing sports news programmes on other news channels.
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.
