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ESS announces Tamil commentary for Formula1
MUMBAI: To increase penetration for Formula One in the state of Tamil Nadu, ESPN STAR Sports has announced that Formula-I 2005 season will have a special ‘Tamil’ audio feed with special Tamil programming starting from ‘Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix’ on 3 April.
This is for the first time in the history of ESPN STAR Sports in India that Formula-I will have a special commentary in any language besides English. Radhakrishnan Srinivasan, experienced presenter and anchor for Sportsline & SportsCenter, will commentate in Tamil for the benefit of Tamil understanding viewers in India. All the remaining 17 races of Formula One World Championship 2005 will have Tamil audio feed as well as the regular English audio feed, informs an official release.
Speaking on the occasion, ESS MD R C Venkateish said, “Tamil Nadu has been a strong Formula One market. Narain Karthikeyan’s entry into the sport has provided further fillip to F 1’s popularity in this region. Considering that we have introduced Tamil programming from the third race itself and the full season still lies ahead, local language transmission will certainly help in growing appreciation for F 1.
Tamil commentary on the live race will soon be augmented with special Formula One programming in Tamil. The post race F 1 show ‘Chequered Flag’ will also be Indianized to include comments from guests from India. In addition, special animation packages detailing the circuit and challenges faced by the drivers will also be launched. Special comments by Narain Karthikeyan and other races will also become part of the programming.”
ESPN STAR Sports will soon launch a concerted marketing & publicity effort to ensure that more and more people across the state are aware of Tamil commentary on Formula One. A series of marketing initiatives including on-ground activities, special screenings, advertising, Formula-I promotions with schools and distributors related activity will be launched. These initiatives will be targeted around important cities like Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem & Trichurpalli, the release adds.
Quoting TAM data (TG: Males, 15+ years, SEC ABC, C&S Homes), the release saysTamil Nadu rated the highest in all states across India in F1 season last year. The state received an average rating of 0.6 in (1Mn+ towns) across 18 races, reaching an incredible high TVR of 2. A total of 4.6 Million individuals in Tamil Nadu (1 Mn+ towns), sampled the product last season, reaching out to 44% of the core-targeted audience.
This year, the ratings are expected to be even better. The Narain effect was visible in the first race of Formula One World Championship 2005, which received an all India average rating of 0.3. This is almost three times the rating of the same race last year.
Besides the main race, STAR Sports’ comprehensive coverage of F1 also includes the action of the ‘Qualifying Race’. And 45 minutes before the main race, ‘Race Day’, STAR Sports’ unique preview show, will have all the exclusive interviews, race preview together with track and weather update. In the post-race show ‘Chequered Flag’ there will be post-race interviews and highlights, plus a preview of the next race.
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.
