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BCCI is only looking at Pakistan tour, not elections: Dalmiya
NEW DELHI: Amid mounting doubts whether India’s cricket tour of Pakistan will take place or not, Indian cricket board chief Jagmohan Dalmiya is keeping his fingers tightly crossed.
Dalmiya told IANS in a telephonic interview from Kolkata that he would not be able to say anything with certainty until an Indian delegation now in Pakistan returned after studying the security situation there.
“The itinerary and other things would be decided only after the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) team is back from Pakistan,” Dalmiya said.
He was reacting to reports that the Indian home ministry is having second thoughts about the tour – some officials are suggesting that it be postponed until after the Indian general elections.
The home ministry, it is being said, may even suggest to the BCCI to go for a curtailed tour of Pakistan involving, perhaps, only Test matches.
Earlier, speaking to IANS in Kolkata, Dalmiya dismissed as “rumour” reports that the Indian team’s tour of Pakistan was being called off because of security concerns.
“I’ve no news that the tour to Pakistan could be cancelled for whatever reason. There is a lot of rumour going around,” Dalmiya said.
“So far as we know, there is no reason to think there would be any change in the tentative schedule of the tour.”
Referring to the reports of India possibly calling or putting off the Pakistan tour, Dalmiya said: “All these are hypothetical situations. There will be day-to-day developments, so I can’t say anything now.”
India are scheduled to play three Tests and five one-day internationals besides a three-day warm-up match on their first full-fledged tour of Pakistan in over 14 years expected to start in the second week of March and extend to April.
The inspection team in Pakistan is led by BCCI joint secretary Ratnakar Shetty and includes communications director Amrit Mathur and the inspector general (VIP security) in the home ministry, Yashovardhan Azad, a government nominee.
They would take stock of the security and other arrangements made at the six proposed venues by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), including Karachi and Peshawar, two cities that have a history of violence attributed to extremist groups.
Due to violence, teams touring Pakistan in recent years have either cancelled the series, or abruptly ended them or had them rescheduled in a neutral country, leaving PCB in the red.
The PCB hopes to make about $20 million from the India series, and it is desperate to make that money.
“I am not even contacting them (BCCI team) in Pakistan. Everything will be discussed after they return in two or four days,” said Dalmiya.
He refused to go into details about security issues.
“I am only the president of the cricket board,” Dalmiya said. “Our job is simple: look after cricket.”
And in a crucial remark, he added: “The situation would change every two hours.”
Pakistani authorities have promised to provide foolproof security to the Indian team.
A former president of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Dalmiya said the BCCI was also taking “cognisance” of a possible clash of the match dates with Indian elections.
Indian politicians have already started demanding that there should be no polling on the days India and Pakistan play – assuming the tour does take place.
Dalmiya also declined to say when the Indian team would be announced.
“You are asking about steps No. 4, 5 and 6… This is a step that would be taken subsequently,” he said.
Media reports have been speculating about the fate of the Pakistan tour, with many newspapers reporting that the Indian government was divided over the issue of sending the Indian team because of security fears.
Top Indian cricketers, including skipper Sourav Ganguly, have said they were “concerned” about the tour but would not hesitate from travelling to Pakistan if security was foolproof.
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.
