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Big FM brings Cricketainment to radio
MUMBAI: With cricket fever gripping the nation, radio has decided to jump onto the bandwagon as well. Big FM today announced two new shows based on cricket in the run up to the World Cup.
The FM has on board cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle and actor Shekhar Suman hosting two news shows on cricket.
‘Big Googly’ hosted by Shekhar Suman is a funny take on everything to do with cricket- the sponsors, the locker room brawls, the hits and near misses. The show to be aired during drive time in the evenings will keep listeners entertained with all the gossip around cricket and World Cup.
Says Shekhar Suman, “Cricket has always been about entertainment and this show is about viewing the game in a lighter vein.” For good measure he also adds, “Thank God for radio, or it would have been someone in noodle straps who would be doing the show.”
Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle is not new to the medium. He started his career on AIR, Hyderabad before moving to television.
On what Big Cricket expert would feature Bhogle pointed out that, “The whole question of cricketainment being debated today is quite strange. Cricket has always been all about entertainment. Until such time as we can have ball by ball commentary on private FM, radio will do a great job of providing analysis and updates on the matches.”
Big Cricket Expert hosted by Bhogle will include a pre match show on the days of the match. He will also present a ‘Breakfast Show’ with post match analysis the following day.
Big FM also plans to get in celebrities to give their take on the World Cup and its players.
Speaking on this celebrity mix for ‘cricketainment’, Big FM national programming head Manav Dhanda said, “Cricket is believed to be a purists game for a lot of people in our country and therefore we have the best in the business to talk about the serious side of cricket- the matches et al. Shekhar Suman clearly brings in the fun element with his own brand of humour.”
Big Googly and Big Cricket Expert are both national properties and will be aired across all the 12 Big FM stations operating across the country. The FM has also planned a series of a contests and interactive features around the two shows.
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.
