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IPL2020 window opens; UAE likely destination
MUMBAI: Cricket lovers – specially those who thrive on the short format of the game, the T20 – can now rejoice. The IPL 2020, which was scheduled to begin on 29 March, but had to be called off on account of the SARS Cov2 virus, is finally set to take place, the IPL chairman Brijesh Patel announced today. It will be a full-fledged IPL, with 60 games in all, and is most likely to take place in the UAE between September and November.
A window of opportunity to go ahead with the IPL popped open on account of the ICC’s decision to postpone the T20 World Cup to next year from its earlier schedule of October-November. Patel added that the IPL had applied to the government for permission to go ahead with its decision to hold it in the UAE. The IPL governing council is scheduled to meet in a week to 10 days to thrash out the details of the tournament.
In June 2020, the UAE had offered to host the league, which had a valuation of $6.7 billion in 2020 according to consulting firm Duff & Phelps, saying it had the required infrastructure to host the entire tournament. In fact, the tournament was held in the UAE in 2014 on account of the central elections in India. According to some estimates, the BCCI would stand to lose $500 million if the IPL was canceled for this year.
The development should come as much needed good news to Star India head honcho Uday Shankar who has seen an 80 per cent drop in revenues at Disney Star India courtesy the IPL being a non-event in March. He, however, has a challenge on his hands: getting the right value from sponsor-advertiser-partners who normally associate with the IPL for the air time on the Star India network during the telecast of the matches. Advertisers have been having a gala time, going in for volume deals, discounting air time rates drastically, on general entertainment channels, which recently launched new episodes after three months of archival repeats. The belief at the Star network is that advertisers will start opening their wallets by October – which is the festival time – and will be more than open to splurge to target consumers who have been starved of sporting action for more than four months already.
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.
