MAM
ESS announces ‘Cricket Sabha’ elections
MUMBAI:Although the rights to the World Cup have been bagged by MAX, ESPN and Star Sports are hoping to cash in on cricket fever with a unique promotional show – ‘Cricket Sabha’ election – that kicks off tonight.
The promotion asks viewers to select the Indian cricket team for the World Cup 2003. Five lucky voters whose team tallies with that of the final list that makes it for the World Cup, will win a free trip to South Africa.
As a part of this campaign, on-ground road shows will be held in seven cities – Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Bhopal and Jaipur. Debates on the relative merits of the candidates will be broadcast on Sportsline, Sportscenter, Radio and Internet. The ballot paper for the election will be available online or through advertisements in mainline media. Actual electoral booths will also be erected across the country for cricket enthusiasts to cast their votes.
The on-air launch of this TVS and Palmolive sponsored promotional show will be telecast tonight at 8:30 pm on ESPN, and 10:30 PM on Star Sports. It profiles 30 candidates for the Indian World Cup squad – along with their ‘election symbols’.
ESS experts Sunil Gavaskar and Navjot Singh Sidhu, along with commentators Harsha Bhogle and Alan Wilkins, will analyse and evaluate players, their chances of making the team, and advise voters on how to choose the team.
The ‘Cricket Sabha’ entries start today and close on 31 December. The results will be declared after the ‘Judgment Day’ episode, coinciding with the official announcement of the final squad.
Brands
Janhvi Kapoor teams up with Amaha to spotlight alcohol addiction
‘Off the Rocks’ aims to shift stigma to science in mental health discourse
MUMBAI: Janhvi Kapoor has partnered with Amaha to launch Off the Rocks, an awareness-led initiative that seeks to reframe alcohol addiction as a clinical mental health condition rather than a moral failing.
The initiative comes at a time when alcohol consumption is increasingly normalised in social settings, yet awareness around dependency and addiction remains limited. According to estimates, nearly one in five alcohol users in India may face addiction, but many continue without diagnosis or access to professional care, often held back by stigma or lack of understanding.
Kapoor said the idea for the campaign stemmed from a gap she has observed in public conversations. “The conversation around alcohol is either completely absent or deeply judgmental, and neither serves the people who actually need support,” she said. “Alcohol addiction is real, it’s clinical, and it affects people across every walk of life.”
Off the Rocks is designed as a long-term, multi-format effort rather than a one-off campaign. It will feature expert-led discussions, personal stories, and accessible content aimed at building awareness, reducing stigma, and guiding individuals towards professional help.
To ensure clinical depth, Kapoor has teamed up with Amaha, a full-spectrum mental health organisation with a large network of psychiatrists and psychologists. The organisation brings both infrastructure and expertise, particularly in treating moderate to severe mental health conditions, including alcohol use disorder.
“Addiction sits at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and lived experience, and remains one of the most stigmatised conditions we see,” said Amaha founder and CEO Amit Malik. He added that the initiative would help connect public awareness with credible, evidence-based care.
Amaha currently operates across multiple cities with in-person centres and digital services, offering therapy, psychiatry, and self-care tools in several languages. Its platform has reached millions globally, reflecting a growing demand for structured mental health support in India.
With Off the Rocks, Kapoor and Amaha are attempting to shift the narrative from blame to understanding, and from silence to support. If it succeeds, the initiative could help more people recognise when social drinking crosses the line and, more importantly, where to turn next.
