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IPL 2020 on the brink of cancellation
MUMBAI: As the pandemic Covid-19 keeps spreading unabated, the hope of even a delayed Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 is fading away. Even as the BCCI has been tight-lipped about the richest cricket tournament in the world, a report in Indian Express says that the entire event is likely to be cancelled.
According to the newspaper, the BCCI is waiting for an official announcement from the government regarding visas. Since a chunk of the players come from foreign countries, the lack of international flights will be a barrier in getting them here. For now, the government has suspended all foreign visas till 15 April.
Currently, the country is on a 21-day lockdown till 15 April. Once the first phase of lockdown is called off, the BCCI will meet with the franchise owners to take a decision. According to Indian Express, there will be status quo on the auctions when the sport resumes next year. Initially, there was to be a mega-auction in 2021 which will not happen now.
The report, citing a source from the IPL administration, spoke of the worries of maintaining social distancing in the stadium. Rather than risk it, a suspension is the better option. With even the June Tokyo Olympics called off for this year, the IPL will not take any chances.
Until now, various authorities such as BCCI president Saurav Ganguly kept mentioning that the IPL may see a shorter version this year but would not be called off. The league was supposed to commence on 29 March.
Star India, which broadcasts the IPL on its network as well as Hotstar, has invested heavily on the tournament broadcast. Star won the rights for the IPL from Sony in 2017 for a period of five years with a whopping $2.55 billion sum. With its huge reach of channels in various languages, the IPL has grown in the last two seasons. For now, the company has not commented on the impact this will have on its overall finances as well as the ad revenues it hoped to recover through the rich tournament.
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.
