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Germany versus Brasil: most anticipated match
MUMBAI: The long nights of patiently staying awake and following the players across the football field is coming close to an end. The first semi finals will kick off today and will see host Brasil face-off against Germany.
Football fans in India will get to see the match on Sony Six at 1:20 am on 9 July. The quarter finals saw Germany defeat France and Brasil defeat Colombia to reach the semis. Both sides are crossing fingers and hoping for their teams to win.
For Brasil it is about being the host country and winning the title for the sixth time which they will be one step closer to, if they defeat Germany. On the other hand, Germany will look forward to breaking its World Cup semi final curse. The previous two World Cups’ saw Germany lose the semi finals to Italy and Spain, just short of reaching the finals.
Germany also has to deal with a ‘vodoo man’ who is out to curse the team and make Brasil win. The home team which will be playing without its captain Thiago Silva and striker NeymarJr is already causing concern among Brasil fans.
Germany coach Joachim Lowe has raised concerns over Brasil’s behaviour and has asked the match officials to intervene if Brasil plays rough.
The match will be played at 5 pm on 8 July according to Brasil standard time, 8 pm according to GMT and for countries in the east such as beyond Pakistan will see it early morning on 9 July.
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.
