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Dsport acquires broadcast rights of New Japan Pro-Wrestling
MUMBAI: Discovery Communications India’s sports channel Dsport, has acquired the exclusive broadcast rights of the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) from Japanese producer and broadcaster TV Asahi Corporation.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling: King Of Sports will be telecast on Dsport at 9:00 PM every Monday starting 20 November 2017.
DSport’s portfolio of wrestling properties also includes the American Ring of Honor and Lucha Underground and it now has broadcast rights for more than 150 hours of fresh wrestling content.
NJPW, over the last few years, has seen unprecedented growth in its fan following across the globe. NJPW, which has been existent for over four decades now, has also seen participation from some WWE legends like The Undertaker, Sting & Hulk Hogan in the past. Some of the current superstars of the promotion are – Kazuchika Okada –IWGP Heavyweight Champion; Kenny Omega – IWGP US Heavyweight Champion; Hiroshi Tanahashi –IWGP Intercontinental Champion; and Tetsuya Naito, the Leader of Los Ingobernables de Japón.
NJPW currently has eight titles for which the wrestlers compete – IWGP Heavyweight; IWGP Intercontinental; IWGP United States Heavyweight; IWGP Junior Heavyweight; IWGP Tag Team; IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team; NEVER Openweight and NEVER Openweight 6-man Tag Team Championships. The NJPW also hosts several tournaments round the year. Some of the most renowned amongst them are – Wrestle Kingdom, G1 Climax; World Tag League, New Japan Cup and Best of the Super Juniors.
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.
