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ICC World Cup 2019: Star India network registers 315 mn viewers during first 2 weeks
MUMBAI: Continuing the momentum from week 1, the action in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is getting hotter with every passing week. The first 2 weeks of the tournament has seen 315 million* viewers tuning into Star Network from across the country. Television viewership delivered a phenomenal 182.7 million* average impressions for the first two weeks.
Quest for #CricketKaCrown gets intense
ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is off to a flying start with some scintillating player performances – Shikhar Dhawan’s confident knock of 117 against Australia, Shakib Al Hasan’s striking form with 121 against England, Aaron Finch’s massive 153 against Sri Lanka and James Neesham’s maiden ODI fifer against Afghanistan, to name a few. India and New Zealand’s 100%-win percentage and Australia’s steady yet cautious rise to TOP 4 are a testament to the #CricketKaCrown battle getting intense as the tournament progresses.
#DeshKiMitti travels to UK
To bring alive the emotion that is, ‘Cricket for all Indians’ and to support the players representing team India at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Star Sports sent the Indian team #BlessingsFromHomeGround. These blessings were given in the form of a deep-rooted symbolic item – a jar of soil collected from across the schools and maidans where the players first started their journey in cricket. This #DeshKiMitti travelled to the United Kingdom and was handed over by Star Sports anchor Jatin Sapru to Captain Virat Kohli prior to the India vs Australia game.
Enriching fan experience with content
Giving fans a day full of exciting content to celebrate cricket, Star Sports had it all, from special segment called ‘Dil Se India’ on all India match days to a 90 mins pre-show ‘Philips Hue Cricket Live’ on all match days to a unique show ‘Follow the Blues’ which captures Team India’s journey off and on field in a never seen avatar from the UK.
The game of cricket was further augmented on #SelectDugout for fans by experts such as Brian Lara, Matthew Hayden, Kevin Pietersen, Dean Jones, Scott Styris, Gautam Gambhir, Irfan Pathan calling the game and analysing all aspects of it. Fans also enjoyed an age-old camaraderie between Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar who made his commentary debut on the network and joined his former teammates Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, as part of a special segment #SachinOpensAgain.
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.
