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ICC contracts challenged in Delhi HC
NEW DELHI: The cricket controversy today took another turn when the Delhi high court admitted a petition by some former cricketers and a former BCCI chief and issued notices to various paties on the players’contracts for the cricket World Cup.
The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notices to the Union government, the International Cricket Council and its marketing arm ICC Development International, the Board for Control of Cricket in India, the Reserve Bank of India and six sponsoring companies on a petition challenging the controversial players’ contracts for the next month’s World Cup, the Press Trust of India said in a report.
A division bench, comprising acting Chief Justice Devinder Gupta and Justice BD Ahmed, issued the notices on a petition filed by former Union minister N K P Salve ( a formerBCCI chief) and five others, including former cricketers Kapil Dev and Madan Lal, the report said.
In a public interest litigation, Salve challenged the ICC contracts on the ground that even though 80 per cent of ICC funds were generated in India, the world body had imposed stringent and unreasonable conditions on Indian players to participate in the World Cup.
Seeking a direction to the government not to release the tax benefits to the sponsors, and another to the ICC to sort out the issue amicably, the petitioner said it was necessary for the betterment of the game.
All the respondents were directed to file their replies by 21 January giving reasons why the petition should not be admitted.
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.
