News Headline
ESPN to telecast India-Pakistan hockey series in Hindi
MUMBAI: Sports broadcaster ESPN Star Sports will be telecasting live the much-anticipated Indian leg of the four-test India Pakistan hockey series. And continuing its efforts towards increasing Hindi language content on its channels, the entire hockey series will telecast be in Hindi.
The sports network also announced special programming around the hockey series. ESS has signed former Indian hockey star Harinder Singh as an expert commentator for the series.
ESS’ efforts to showcase Hindi programming started during the Euro 2004 soccer tournament and were re-introduced as a full-fledged Hindi programming initiative during the IndianOil Asia Cup.
Both initiatives resulted in an increase in viewership for ESS, and the broadcaster is expecting a similar result in case of this high-profile hockey series as well, a company release states.
ESS will be telecasting a 30-minute pre-match and post match analysis show for all the matches. There will also be a reporter at each venue that will bring special interviews and provide the latest updates from the team bench, the release adds.
The shows will be hosted by well known ESS presenter Darain Shahidi along with Harinder Singh. Partho Ghosh will commentate along with Harinder Singh for the live telecast.
According to the release, the telecast of the series ties in to ESS’ plans of developing hockey in India. As part of this effort, ESS, along with IHF, launched the Indian Premier Hockey League earlier this year. ESS and Leisure Sports Management (LSM) have worked closely with the IHF to develop the league launched with an objective of developing and popularizing hockey in the country. ESS has the telecast rights for the hockey league for the next 10 years.
Schedule of the Indo-Pak Hockey Matches on ESPN:
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.
