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Delhi HC backs players, Indian board in contracts row with ICC
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today weighed in to the ongoing dispute between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) over the payers’ contracts issue.
On a public litigation petition filed by Kapil Dev and others on the cricket row threatening the World Cup, the HC, in an interim ruling, observed that if India doesn’t play in the World Cup there will be no telecast of the advertisements of the official sponsors.
It has also said that the Centre would have to step in and take action to stop transfer of foreign exchange if BCCI has to pay compensation to the ICC as a fallout of India not playing in the World Cup.
The next date of hearing is likely to be within seven days.
Meanwhile, the BCCI was today reportedly discussing in Delhi the olive branch offered by the ICC on the sponsorship row.
Reuters, quoting sources close to ICC, in a report filed from London, has stated that ICC has offered to end the sponsorship row with India over World Cup contracts with a “large olive branch”.
A specially convened World Cup contracts committee of the ICC agreed by teleconference at the weekend to clear the way for India’s participation in the competition, which begins in Southern Africa on 8 February.
It will accept India’s refusal to sign up to its World Cup sponsorship rules in their entirety in return for a reimbursement from their board of any future claims for compensation arising from that.
This proposal will be endorsed by a full board meeting of the ICC on Friday, the Reuters report quoted the source as saying.
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.
