News Headline
Bengal Super League kicks off with Zee Bangla Sonar
MUMBAI: Bengal is ready to score big as Shrachi Sports teams up with Zee Bangla Sonar and ZEE5 to broadcast the inaugural Bengal Super League starting 7 December 2025. Fans can now catch every goal and tackle live, whether at home or on the go.
Legendary FIFA World Cup-winning captain Lothar Matthäus has been named the official ambassador of the league, adding star power to an already thrilling tournament. Eight dynamic teams will compete, each representing the rich footballing spirit of their respective regions.
Shrachi Sports managing director Rahul Todi said, “The Bengal Super League celebrates Bengal’s deep-rooted love for football. Our partnership with Zee Bangla Sonar and ZEE5 ensures the excitement of the stadium reaches millions of homes. We aim to redefine how regional sports are viewed and celebrated.”
ZEEL chief cluster officer – East, North and premium cluster Samrat Ghosh added, “Zee Bangla Sonar is designed to cater to diverse audiences with unique content. Broadcasting BSL matches aligns perfectly with our vision, allowing fans across West Bengal and beyond to experience the vibe, vigour and vibrancy of the league.”
Matches will be telecast at 1 pm and 4 pm, giving viewers plenty of chances to catch the action. Launched in July 2025 and licensed by the Indian Football Association, BSL features eight franchise teams representing district clusters. Matches will be hosted across four venues, bringing professional football to regions beyond Kolkata and giving local players a platform to shine.
With competitive matches, enduring rivalries and emerging homegrown talent, the Bengal Super League promises to deliver high-octane football while strengthening the state’s professional football ecosystem. Whether you are a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, Bengal’s love for the beautiful game is about to hit prime time.
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.
