News Headline
ESPN back on Hathway
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: The spat between Hathway Datacom and ESPN Star Sports has been thrashed out — seemingly for the time being — and the channels are back on former’s cable networks at most places, much to the relief of viewers who could watch the Australia-West Indies one-dayer on Star Sports today.
Confirming the development, a senior executive of the Rajan Raheja-controlled Hathway told indiantelevision.com today, “The issue has been sorted out between the two parties and part payment has been made.”
A memorandum of understanding too has been signed that dwells on the future course of relationship with increased rates and the modalities for payment of the remaining part of amount that ESS said Hathway owed to it.
Pointing out that Hathway has agreed upon a fresh annual contract with ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd. late last evening after the MSO cleared “all outstanding issues, including payments,” Iyengar today said, “Viewers will be able to watch ESPN and STAR Sports on Hathway’s networks. This is a positive development and we will make best efforts to ensure that that viewers do not have to go through a period of black out like this. “
ESS had discontinued services of its two channels to Hathway cable network in Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Ludhiana due to non-payment of dues amounting to Rs 70 million, ESPN Software India sales and marketing vice president Sricharan Iyengar had said early December.
With the ESPN-backed Premier Hockey League getting underway in Hyderabad yesterday at a glittering opening ceremony, ESS would want that Hathway subscribers are not robbed of excitement from a reformatted hockey game.
Apart from PHL, ESS monthly calendar includes a triangular cricket series amongst Pakistan, West Indies and Australia in Australia, five ODIs from Bangladesh in the Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh play off, starting 20 January, the South Africa-England cricket tussle, the Australian Open that gets underway this month and English Premier League, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Cup, the Spanish Primera Liga and also the Tiger Cup.
Earlier, Hathway Cable & Datacom chief executive officer K Jayaraman had claimed that the ESS assertions on outstanding as “baseless and wrong.”
However, it is learnt that the ESS services to Asianet in Kerala are yet to be restored as the MSO, reportedly, owes Rs. 25 million to the broadcaster. Asianet, however, has got a shot in the arm from the sector regulator few days back that directed Zee Turner, in an another case, to restore its services to Asianet.
The annual service agreement between ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd. and Hathway has also expired on 30 November in Delhi and the agreement in Mumbai expired in December.
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.
