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BBC, AIR and ABC join hands to launch new show on cricket
NEW DELHI: BBC World Service in partnership with All India Radio (AIR) and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is launching a new show called Stumped from 17 January.
The show will bring together three cricket live wires – India, the UK and Australia – on one platform.
The team of Stumped has presenters from all the three broadcasters. The names, which are part of commentators’ team, are Prakash Wakankar, English commentator of AIR; Alison Mitchell, first female commentator of BBC and the programme host and ABC’s Jim Maxwell. The idea behind the show is to explore the world of cricket and bring lively, informative, and humorous debate.
Keeping with the spirit of World Cup 2015, the first series will coincide with the start of the tournament. The show will be hosted from venues across the World Cup host countries – Australia and New Zealand. There will be weekly roundup and discussion of key talking points from the World Cup and other lighter stories in sport from around the world.
Indian cricket fans will be able to relish the ‘tales from the test’ that will be recounted by cricketing raconteur Henry Blofeld. Beside this, there will be some hard hitting questions on the show like: Why did penguins once stop play? And which international team score highest in the fashion stakes? Why do so many cricket terms find their way into everyday language?
AIR director general F Sheheryar said, “AIR is delighted to co-produce and broadcast Stumped, together with BBC and ABC, on cricket, which undoubtedly is the favourite sport of millions of sports lovers in India. All India Radio hopes that this programme, which will be carried by AIR’s FM Rainbow network in India, will help ordinary listeners understand the sport better and also spark listeners’ interest in the game in which India is the reigning champion especially with the ICC World Cup round the corner.”
Stumped is a weekly programme and will be aired at 11:30 IST on All India Radio FM Rainbow Network and also at 0030 GMT on the BBC World Service. It will also be live streamed on All India Radio website.
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.
