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DD has no plans to buy rights of cricket WC ’19 & Tests: MIB
NEW DELHI: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has stated that national broadcaster Doordarshan will continue relying on existing laws to air live and shared signals of relevant international cricket matches, the rights for which may be with some private broadcaster, while clarifying there were no plans to directly acquire rights for Tests or the cricket World Cup 2019.
Quoting inputs from Prasar Bharati, parent of Indian pubcasters DD and All India Radio, MIB Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore told fellow parliamentarians that “live telecast of cricket matches” was being done on Doordarshan Sports channel under the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, 2007, which was passed by the Parliament and notified the same year. These matches included the ongoing cricket series between India and England comprising three T20s and three one-dayers.
“The Act enjoins upon the rights holder to share with Prasar Bharati, live broadcasting signals of sports events of national importance for which they hold broadcast rights to enable Prasar Bharati to re-transmit the same on its terrestrial and DTH networks,” Rathore explained.
However, the government did not explain as to why it did not insist on shared TV feeds of five-day Test matches.
Incidentally, Star India, managers of several sports channels and rights holders of IPL and several other cricket properties, which were acquired on payment of several billions of dollars, had filed a case in the Supreme Court against unencrypted signals of DD’s satellite-delivered channels not only spilling over to other countries, but also pirated by distribution platforms within India too during cricket matches. Star got a favourable directive from the apex court in 2017, though Prasar Bharati had described it as an opportunity. as it helped it to bring the focus back on DD Sports channel.
Meanwhile, answering to other queries raised by parliamentarians on cricket, Rathore admitted there was “no proposal to acquire the broadcast rights” for live telecast of Test series between India and England, and the Cricket World Cup in 2019. The broadcast rights for India region for the ongoing England tour of India lies with Sony Pictures Networks India.
DD Can’t Be Compared To Private Sector TV Channels’
Pointing out that DD’s programming is more focused on issues of public interest like health, education, empowerment, social justice, etc., the Minister said that the pubcaster’s programmes could “not be be compared” with private channels as both have totally different objectives and programming formats.
However, Doordarshan is striving to provide “impactful and meaningful” programmes to become the “preferred channel of choice of people”, Rathore said, adding it was a constant endeavour of DD to modernize its infrastructure and improve the quality of programmes.
“Doordarshan has undertaken a comprehensive plan to improve the programme content, and look and feel of all national and regional channels in DD network,” the Minister said, highlighting that efforts were being made to empanel creative agencies that can work for better look and feel of the channel(s).
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.
