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IPL: Discovery & YuppTV in fray, CoA-BCCI discuss conflict of interest & pay today
MUMBAI: YuppTv and Discovery are the latest two companies to have reportedly purchased bid documents for the upcoming media rights auction of the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 cricket tournament. Both, Discovery and YuppTV’s spokespersons have confirmed the purchase of the documents.
The last date for purchase of bid documents is 24 August. The bidding process will conclude on 28 August and results are scheduled to be announced the same day. Times Internet Ltd, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, GroupM, Twitter, Amazon India, Facebook had bought the documents earlier.
The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) had in September 2016 invited bids to award media rights for IPL for 2018 and up to 2022. The process was however indefinitely postponed since the apex court-appointed Lodha panel had not responded to BCCI’s queries regarding the tenders.
IPL and domestic cricket’s pay structure will meanwhile come up for discussions when the Committee of Administrators (CoA) meets BCCI on Wednesday. In July, the BCCI had approved the re-entry of Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) into the IPL after serving a ban for betting, while the future of Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Supergiant is yet to be confirmed.
Cricket’s possible inclusion into the Olympic 2024 programme will be another topic for discussion at the meet where the CoA is expected to also take note of the Deloitte presentation related to the audit report that it has prepared. Another key issue that may be discussed is conflict of interest.
The BCCI has objected to multiple clauses relating to this matter, and the BCCI officials will be waiting to let known their disagreements to the COA.
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.
