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SPSN launches campaign for the upcoming Australia tour of England
KOLKATA: Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN) is all set to honour the ‘Real Fans’ of cricket with their new campaign for upcoming Australia tour of England. It has launched two campaign films that feature Real fans vs Fake fans in real-life situations only to realise that in order to be a Real Fan it is important to watch and follow great cricket and cricketers no matter which team is playing.
The series will be aired live and exclusive on SONY SIX and SONY TEN 3 (Hindi) channels from 4 September 2020.
Cricket fans are already excited for the faceoff between Australia and England. This will be Australia’s first series in a new era of cricket during the pandemic.
“Asli Fans Ke Liye is our in-house campaign for the upcoming Australia tour of England that honors Real Fans, who are passionate about great cricket and cricketers no matter which team they play for and follow ball-by-ball play purely for the love of the sport. The campaign is a shout-out to all the Real Fans of cricket whose die-hard love for cricket knows no boundaries. They not only support their own country but also go beyond boundaries to genuinely embrace the sport. The upcoming Australia tour of England features two great cricketing nations who share one of the fiercest rivalries in cricket today and a Real Fan will definitely not miss watching this high-octane series,” SPN sports business head-marketing and on-air promotions Neville Bastawalla said.
The first film showcases Fake Fans following Jonny Bairstow’s cooking and David Warners’ foot-tapping videos that are garnering maximum views on their social media platform while Real Fans are actually following their heroes especially when they are playing their innings and making history on the pitch.
The second film is a shoot-based film set in an office where a group of colleagues are watching a LIVE match in play. The film opens with a Fake Fan, giving his pseudo expert advice, which is factually incorrect and leads to his colleague, a Real Fan, correcting him on the match playing out on TV between England and Australia. The film ends with the Real Fan educating the fake fan on one of the fiercest rivalries in cricket today and the real drama that unfolds when England and Australia play against each other.
India is a cricket-frenzy nation and “Asli Fans Ke Liye” is a light-hearted perspective on the emotions of Real Cricket Fans who follow the sport for the love of the game. The campaign films have been rolled out in English and Hindi languages, encouraging Indian fans across the country to tune-in to SONY
SIX channels in English and SONY TEN 3 channels in Hindi, for the high octane drama between England and Australia on the field.
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.
