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India faltered, but Ten got the ratings
MUMBAI: The performance of the Indian cricket team may have been typical —below par —during the tri series in Sri Lanka, but for Ten Sports the event has proven to be a windfall.
Tam data for 24-30 July 2005 C&S 4+ shows that the channel has managed to coerce its way into the Top 20 list at No. 11 with Star Plus occupying the top ten spots.
The India versus Sri Lanka match on 30 July managed a TVR of 6.6. It helped the (FULL NAME PLS.) Bukhatir-owned broadcaster’s cause that Doodarshan did not get the feed. Experst chatting during the drinks break managed to get TVRs in the region of 4.
On the distribution front, while not giving out any specific numbers, One Alliance president Anuj Gandhi claimed that Ten managed to increase reach by “200 per cent.”
“In the past month, the tri-series has helped Ten Sports penetrate the South in a big way.
Traditionally, Ten Sports has been strong in the North. The tri-series has also helped push the other channels in the second bouquet like MTV and Discovery Travel and Living, ” Gandhi asserted.
Ten Sports is distributed as part of the second bouquet of Sony-Disocvery joint venture One Alliance.
“Previously Ten was floundering. However, its reach now matches that of Sony, Max, Discovery and AXN. I think that with time Ten Sports will enable the reach of the second bouquet to outpace the first one,” Gandhi optimistically said.
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.
