News Headline
IPL 7 auction ends; 154 players sold including 50 international
MUMBAI: The two-day auction for the Indian Premiere League (IPL) finally came to an end. The auctions turned out to be much like the earlier six seasons – a heady mix of surprises, shocks, set-backs and happiness.
The happiest of the lot was obviously Yuvraj Singh, who came aboard Royal Challengers Banglore for a hefty sum of Rs 14 crore. Even Delhi Daredevils coughed up Rs 12.5 crore to pick up Dinesh Karthik and Rs 9 crore for Kevin Pietersen using its right to match card.
The right to match or the joker card worked wonders for the franchises this time as they managed to reclaim some of their ‘priced possessions’. Most of the teams used up their right to match card on day one of the auction itself, being aware that day two was consisted of the uncapped players.
Out of the 154 players sold, 80 are capped and 74 are uncapped; again proving the purpose of the IPL – to nurture young and raw talent and provide them an international stage to play alongside and learn from the best in the business.
The auction started on Wednesday morning with 514 players going under the hammer in two days. The sad part: nearly 70 per cent of the players went unsold.
The dark side came to the fore when nobody bid for players like Mahela Jayawardena, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Angelo Mathews, Marlon Samuels, Brett Lee, Cameron White, Luke Wright, David Hussey, Praveen Kumar, RP Singh, Darren Bravo, Dirk Nannes and among others. While the reasons to it would be best known to the franchises, it just brought out the ugly side of the game.
Now all that remains to be seen is whether the season 7 of the IPL can overshadow the dark history of the controversies that plagued season 6.
With the biggest pool of players to have gone under the hammer in all the seasons so far, IPL 7 is all set to keep you hooked to your television sets for a roller coaster ride once again beginning from April.
We will get you all the happenings of the Indian Premiere League season 7. Do continue reading this space for latest updates.
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.
