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Melbourne tsunami cricket benefit match raises $ 11 million
MUMBAI: International cricket showed today it had a heart. And a big one at that. A one-day charity match to raise funds for the victims of the devastating Asian tsunami held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia raised a massive $ 11 million.
Before 70,000+ cheering fans a Rest of the World XI beat an Asia XI by 112 runs as part of their collective effort to help in the recovery efforts in a tragedy that has claimed over 156,000 people across Asia, the worst hit being Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India.
Australia’s richest man and well owner of Channel 9 Kerry Packer donated A$ 3 million, while other funds came from ground entry, donation boxes, television appeals and corporate sponsorship. The two teams raised a total of A$926,000 ($703,000) from match sponsors, who offered A$1,000 dollars for each run scored and A$50,000 for each of the seven sixes as part of the overall fund-raising.
Returning Sri Lankan offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan, taking time out from his relief work in Sri Lanka and playing his first match since a shoulder operation in August, was the best of Asia’s bowlers with 3-59 in 10 overs. Australian captain Ricky Ponting, led the ICC World X1 and topscored in the match with 115 runs.
A second match organised by the International Cricket Council will be played probably in India in February or March to renew fundraising efforts for the huge reconstruction ahead. All tickets available to the public were sold out for the day-night match. TV broadcasters donated and helped collect millions of dollars in appeals running concurrently with the match.
The “return leg” of the tsunami benefit is scheduled to be telecast in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.
In India, the live telecast rights for today’s match was secured by In India by Sony Entertainment Television’s events and movies channel Max.
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.
