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FIFA U-17 WC ’17: Delhi football fest a curtain-raiser
NEW DELHI: A function under Mission 11 Million (MXIM) programme was held as a curtain-raiser in Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in the capital over the weekend for FIFA Under-17 World Cup 2017, to be telecast on Sony TV channels, with the objective of promoting football in India, especially among children and youth.
Indians can watch live coverage of the entire tournament on Sony Six and Sony ESPN, while fans can also go to SonyLiv.com to enjoy FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 live streaming online for free.
The trophy for FIFA Under-17 World Cup 2017 to be held in India from 6 to 28 October 2017 was also displayed at the stadium in the presence of the sports secretary Injeti Srinivas and tournament director FIFA U-17 World Cup Javier Ceppi.
MXIM is the joint programme of FIFA, AIFF and youth affairs and sports ministry to promote football among 11 million school children in India. Around 7000 school students of Delhi held a march past and gave a cultural performance on the theme of sports, especially football. A football festival was also held in which around 1000 school students were taught football techniques to mark the occasion.
Fans in the United States can watch all the matches on Fox Sports in English and online streaming service will be available on Fox Soccer 2GO. NBC Universo or En Vivo Extra will have live action in Spanish in the US. The United Kingdom viewers can see the live action from India on TV sets through Eurosport while they have options to watch live stream matches via Eurosport Player.
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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.
