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CricketNext.com to webcast World Cup matches
MUMBAI: CricketNext.com, the Walchand Capital Group driven Internet portal has bagged the rights for the mega ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa commencing 8 February.
CricketNext has already hosted and managed the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka last September in a similar capacity as a web site partner, but during the World Cup, the site plans to deploy editorial, marketing and technological resources to draw in more viewers.
The site will provide visitors with ball by ball scorecards, previews and game analysis, exclusive photos, instant match reports, international columnists, weather forecasts, quizzes, contests, cartoons and games. The site aims to be an ideal place for the 3C’s – connoisseur, convert and the casual visitor.
“We have created exciting sponsorship and advertising options, which include official match tickets, air fare and hotel stay, autographed bats, usage of data base, and premium and innovative on-line properties. CricketNext has demonstrated its outstanding success through incisive editorial coverage, interactive features and financial resilience resulting in approximately 85 million page views per month, and over 600,000 regular visitors,” says CricketNext director Pallavi Jha.
Says Jha, “For the first time ever, there will be large scale global webcasting of the event including live streaming, video highlights, delayed relays, audio commentary etc. With improved broadband availability in recent times, we expect an overwhelming response to webcasting from Non Resident Indians and other customers, particularly in countries where cricket is not the prime sport on local channels.”
Jha adds that CricketNext would also be offering SMS services, with pre-determined alerts on scores, and other match highlights, given their rising popularity.
“Given the fact that 81 per cent of the 54 matches are day-matches (which means that they start at around 13.30 pm IST) and 79 per cent of the matches are on weekdays, one can easily foresee the massive response from the office going segment. Secondly, with February – March being also active periods, office absenteeism is extremely low. Advertisers and brands have an excellent opportunity to capitalise on the Internet medium given the time factor, savvy internet audience, interactive capabilities and, of course, the cost advantage” she says.
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.
