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Cricket rights: Worried ICC writes to Manmohan
NEW DELHI: Even as the Indian cricket board continues to make a mess of cricket in general in India and the telecast rights, in particular, the game’s international apex body has sought Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s help in resolving the impasse.
According to authoritative cricket-related website, cricinfo.com, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed to its staff that it had written to Singh ahead of Thursday’s cabinet meeting concerning moves to give pubcaster Doordarshan preferential treatment in securing the broadcast rights to telecast international cricket in India.
The Indian Cabinet is scheduled to discuss later in the day recommendations of a group of ministers on making it mandatory for private broadcasters to share sports content with DD on a revenue sharing basis. What’s worrying cricket managers globally as well as private broadcasters is that the proposed legislation is likely to be made effective retrospectively.
This means that telecast contracts that have been concluded before the proposed piece of legislation comes into force would also be guided by the new law, which seeks to give DD an unfair advantage.
The TV rights saga has bedeviled Indian cricket since the time Australia were preparing to come over for their victorious jaunt in October-November 2004. Doordarshan, the state broadcaster, has been in the box-seat since, with rights being dispensed on a series-by-series basis, cricinfo.com observed.
Cricinfo.com is now part of the Wisden group and incorporates Wisden Online. Cricinfo was launched by a group of enthusiasts in 1993 and soon mushroomed into the world’s largest single-sport site on the worldwide web. Wisden Online was launched in 2001 and quickly established a reputation for well-informed, well-written and often witty comment on the web in the Wisden tradition.
The latest incarnation of the Cricinfo site, relaunched in late 2003, combines the breadth of CricInfo – live scores from almost every cricket match of any consequence, and news from all corners of the globe – with the depth of the Wisden archive, and trenchant comment.
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.
