News Headline
BCCI cancels tender, ESS withdraws case
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Following up on a comment made yesterday during arguments in the India cricket rights case, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) gave an affidavit in the Bombay High Court saying that it is canceling the tendering process for India cricket telecast rights and may go in for a re-tendering.
Following this fresh twist to the cricket telecast saga, ESPN Star Sports, a joint venture between Walt Disney and News Corp, withdrew its petition against the award of the rights to Zee Telefilms.
In its first reactions to the developments, Zee Telefilms, on being specifically asked by indiantelevision.com, said BCCI’s move would be contested as it has already paid $ 20 million to the cricket board.
“We would contest in court any move by BCCI to go in for a re-tendering of the cricket rights,” a spokesperson for Essel group told indiantelevision.com. Essel Group is the parent entity for Zee Telefilms whose shares crashed over 4 per cent on the stock exchanges today on this new development.
BCCI supreme Jagmohan Dalmiya refused to hold forth on the issue saying he had to “see the written directives from the court or be briefed by his lawyers before commenting on the matter.”
ESPN India MD RC Venkateish also refused any immediate comment. However, ESPN did issue a prepared statement later in the evening that stated: “Keeping the assertion in front of the honorable High Court in Mumbai made by the BCCI counsel that BCCI would be canceling the incumbent tendering process, ESPN STAR Sports, in the interest of cricket-loving consumers and with a view to arrive at an expeditious solution so that the forthcoming
India-Australia series is not disrupted, has withdrawn the writ filed in the Bombay High Court.”
According to an agency report from Mumbai, the cricket board will retain the telecast rights with itself till fresh bids are called. The board will now decide whether to re-tender the rights or to produce the upcoming Australian series on its own, the report adds.
The Australian team’s cricket tour of India begins officially on 6 October when the first test match is slated to be flagged off.
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.
