News Headline
DD hopes to make Rs 300 m. from World Cup
NEW DELHI: The Prasar Bharati Corporation board, which met here Friday here for the first time under the chairmanship of new incumbent MV Kamath, took a slew of decisions ranging from augmenting revenue, to increasing the public broadcasters’ (Doordarshan an All India Radio) reach, to going in for an Ombudsman to settle arbitration cases quickly.
Though AIR seems to have met its annual revenue target, DD is still behind the target of net revenue of Rs 5250 million for the financial year ending 31 March, 2003.
Announcing the decisions taken at today’s board meet, Prasar Bharati chief executive K.S. Sarma told journalists that DD has managed to corner an additional 27 World Cup matches to be shown on a delayed basis on DD Metro.
Pointing out that Prasar Bharati has taken a leaf out of private satellite broadcasters who repeat one-dayers the next day, Sarma said, “By airing the cricket matches the next day on DD Metro. We are trying to get in more viewers onto that channel.” Reason: attract smaller and retail advertisers, cater to those people who may have missed the live action because of the timing of the matches in South Africa (6.p.m-1.30 a.m. IST and 2.30 p.m.-10 p.m. IST) the previous day and “popularise DD Metro channel which needs to be resurrected.”
Pointing out that for DD the World Cup cricket is a win-win situation as there is no outgo of money (DD is only providing the platform for telecast; revenue being shared between DD and Nimbus on 20:80 basis), but only inflow, Sarma said, “Our equity is the platform and its vast reach. At best, we may end up making revenue of around Rs 30 crore from the World Cup or at worst we’ll have Rs 23 crore which is the minimum guarantee money (given by the agents of Global Cricket Corporation, the global rights holder of the World Cup cricket).”
Moreover, Sarma said, they were airing on a delayed basis the 27 cricket matches on a terrestrial channel that has “40 per cent more reach than a satellite channel.”
“Though I don’t want to blame anybody, but sometimes I wonder why wasn’t this formula also used for the World Cup soccer where we couldn’t show much?” Sarma said.
PLAN TO COMMERCIALLY UTILISE UNUSED LAND
Announcing the decisions taken at today’s board meet, Prasar Bharati chief executive KS Sarma told journalists that the pubcaster has decided to explore the possibilities of exploiting commercially the unused land that it has at its disposal.
According to Sarma, the Corporation is likely to approach the Housing Urban development Corporation (Hudco) to find users for such real estate. “The board has suggested that we may start with Hudco and, if need be, approach multinational real estate consultants too,” Sarma said.
As Prasar Bharati cannot sell the land it has, such real estate would only be given out on lease to preferably government organizations with “private parties being the last option.”
Prasar Bharati has at its disposal – some of them at prime locations round the country, including Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore – 500-600 acres of land, “most of which is lying idle.” Sarma added: “Our land definitely will be sought after.”
AIR IN CONTENT EXCHANGE DEAL WITH BBC, VoA
The Prasar Bharati board also has decided to accept some proposals of BBC radio and Voice of America to use the AIR platform to produce and air non-news and current affairs programming on a “reciprocal basis.”
According to Sarma, if for example BBC uses 30 minutes of time on an AIR channel, AIR also would get the same amount of time on BBC’s domestic service.
In VoA’s case, AIR would decide which places it would like to broadcast on VoA’s networks. If Prasar Bharati decides, it can also market the BBC programmes of AIR and pocket the revenue generated.
In a bid to strengthen AIR further, which has already crossed its FY 2002-03 revenue targets, the Prasar Bharati board has decided to go ahead with the plan to have more programming nation-wide on SW and medium wave as also have a 20kw transmitter of AIR to broadcast various regional languages programming on a channel that would be available in Delhi. Reason: cater to all those people who have come to Delhi from other parts of the country.
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.
