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IPL 2021 to resume on 19 September, final on 15 October : report
Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to resume the remainder of the suspended edition of the 14th Indian Premier League (IPL) on 19 September in the United Arab Emirates. According to a media report, the final match will be played on 15 October- the day India will be celebrating Dussehra this year.
BCCI had earlier announced that the IPL 2021 will be scheduled in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi, in wake of the ongoing health crisis in the country. The 14th edition of the immensely popular cricket league that began on 9 April was suspended mid-way on 4 May after several cricketers including team staff tested positive for Covid-19. Total 29 out of the 60 games have been played so far, while 31 matches remain in the current season.
“The discussions went well, and with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) already giving us the oral nod to host the event ahead of the BCCI SGM, it was about closing the deal over the last week. The first game after the season resumes will be held on 19 September, while we have the final on 15 October. The BCCI was always keen on a 25-day window to finish the remaining matches,” reported ANI quoting a senior BCCI official.
The officials also added that discussions are progressing steadily to ensure the availability of foreign players for the tournament.
“BCCI will talk to the foreign boards and check on the availability of foreign cricketers. We are confident that BCCI will find the best possible solution. And honestly, it is a matter of the BCCI officials speaking to the respective board officials. So we have to wait to hear from the board on this,” added the official.
IPL 2020 was played in the United Arab Emirates last September when the world braved the first onslaught of the deadly pandemic.
The apex cricket body in India had earlier revealed that the governing body will incur a loss of Rs 2,500 crore if the suspended IPL 2021 is called off for this year. “If we fail to complete the IPL, the loss will be close to Rs 2500 crore ($340 million approximately). That is going by early estimates,” BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had told The Telegraph.
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.
