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ESS ropes in astrologer Bejan Daruwalla for Fifa World Cup predictions
MUMBAI: With the Fifa World Cup kicking off in Germany next week, ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has roped in noted astrologer Bejan Daruwalla who will attempt to predict the outcome of the matches.
Daruwalla’s GaneshaSpeaks provides astro predictions regarding the outcome of World Cup matches and highlight players of the day from quarterfinal matches and phone in for key matches of the Fifa World Cup to be telecast.
ESS marketing director Nirmal Dayani said, “It has been our utmost endeavour to provide the Indian audience an experience of a lifetime during the World Cup telecast this year.
“All our programming and marketing initiatives have been aligned to involve our consumers in the game. Our latest initiative featuring Daruwalla will add a new dimension to our special programming during Germany 2006. Daruwalla and his GaneshaSpeaks team will be providing predictions and astro foresight as a build up for World Cup matches. The objective here is to give the telecast of the World Cup a new flavour.”
Daruwalla said, “This is a great challenge. I know it is exceptionally difficult to come right in the unpredictable games of cricket or football or hockey or any other great sport. But that is exactly why I love to do my best and leave the rest to Ganesha. This is a tremendous opportunity for me to try out my predictions, thanks to the sports channel ESPN Star Sports.”
Daruwalla, rated among the top 100 astrologers in the world by Harper Collins’ Prophecy, will feature on all pre match shows to give an astrological viewpoint to the World Cup matches. Not only will he assess the teams involved according to their stars, but will also give a foresight on the players to watch out for every match of the tournament.
To build hype on the Fifa World Cup, ESS had earlier announced various initiatives to generate viewer interest. The broadcaster had earlier launched 11 Hindustani, a consumer based contest in partnership with Coke to take 11 Indians to watch the World Cup live along with a nation wide search for four Indian children to be Fifa Flag Bearers during the World Cup. The channel has also announced a special Hindi feed and an in studio panel of Gerry Armstrong, Steve McMahon and Harsha Bhogle for the Word Cup.
GaneshaSpeaks provides astrology content and services on mobile phones and the Internet. Bejan Daruwalla’s GaneshaSpeaks team provide personalised predictions and guidance to customers via Ganeshaspeaks.com. SiddhiVinayak Astrology Services owns the brand.
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.
