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Broadcasters join hands to associate with Tsunami cricket match
MUMBAI: In its efforts to raise funds for Tsunami victims, Kapil Dev-headed Hero Indian Sports Academy (HISA) is intiating a cricket match between stars from the sports fraternity and the Indian film industry. SaharaOne Television, Ten Sports, Hungama TV, DD Sports and Sun Group will telecast the match simultaneously. All proceeds from the match shall be donated to the Prime Ministers’ Relief Fund.
The match will be held on 28 January under the floodlights at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium from 4 pm onwards. The Kapil XI consisting of Kapil Dev, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Aravinda D’Silva, Charu Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Roshan Mahanama, Ajit Agarkar, Major Rathore, Narain Karthikeyan, Mohd. Azharuddin, Dilip Vengsarkar, Harsha Bhogle, Javagal Srinath and Pulella Gopichand will take on the Aamir XI featuring Suneil Shetty, Salman Khan, Aftab Shivdasani, Ritesh Deshmukh, Dino Morea, Ajay Jadeja, Mithun Chakravorty, Madhavan, Yuvraj Singh, Parthiv Patel, Laxmipathy Balaji, Arbaaz Khan, Rahul Dev, Rahul Dravid and Shailendra Singh.
“It has been overwhelming to see what the citizens of our country who live near the sea shores of Andaman-Nicobar, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry have experienced on that fateful day when the Tsunami struck. It is our endeavour to garner support and aid for the Prime Ministers’ Relief Fund through organizing this match. It is our responsibility as citizens of India to contribute towards this noble cause. I personally appeal to each and every resident of Mumbai to come forward and help them. I have full support from my fellow cricketers and eminent sports personalities of India who will be coming forward to join me in this benefit match against a team captained by Aamir Khan,” said Kapil Dev in an official communique releasd by Sahara One Television.
Offers Percept D’ Mark COO Devraj Sanyal, “Cricket is every Indian’s lifeblood. And this initiative is to bring together the nation of sports enthusiasts to help the victims of the tsunami tragedy.”
Adds SaharaOne Television COO Karuna Samtani, “SaharaOne has always been in the forefront in initiatives that are of national importance. And we want everyone to participate in this match in every way he can, whether it is in watching the game and cheering the players at the stadium or in front of the TV. And make India proud.”
Airtel has agreed to adopt the entire initiative and has come forward as title sponsor. This match is now called the Airtel Cup. The event is also supported by Mid-Day, Air Sahara, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower – Mumbai, Gloveman, Big Tree, Go92.5fm, TopsGrup, Shruti Art and Kayur G Patel among others.
Tickets are available at Wankhede Stadium, Cinemax (Goregaon), Cinemagic (Andheri — East), Cineplanet (Sion), Cinewonder (Thane), Cineprime (Mira Road), R Adlabs (Mulund), Imax Adlabs (Wadala), Fun Republic (Andheri West), Rhythm House (Kala Ghoda), 24 Karat (Jogeshwari East). Contact Big Tree: 022 26493665.
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.
