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“No outside party on DD” – Quraishi
NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati has decided against having an outside organisation like ESPN Star Sports producing pre and post match programmes during the cricket World Cup on Doordarshan — something that may be done in-house, if at all anything on those lines does come on air.
Confirming to indiantelevision.com earlier in the day the decision on ESS-DD collaboration that was not to be, director-general of DD, S.Y. Quraishi, said, “We have decided that no outside party, including ESPN Star Sports, would be allowed to produce any pre and post match programmes on DD.”
Prasar Bharati chief executive K S Sarma late last week during a press conference had said that by Monday (20 January) DD was likely to take a decision on the ESS proposal.
ESPN Star Sports was not available for comments immediately as its official spokesperson said they have not received any official intimation from DD yet and would wait for a communication from DD before reacting to the said development.
Quraishi, while further explaining the rationale behind the decision, said, “It has also not been decided whether we will have pre and post match programmes on cricket at all on DD. As it is, there is and would be so much related to cricket leading up to the World Cup everywhere, including DD, that will peak during the actual tournament.”
The DG added: “If at all we decide to have pre and post match programmes, in all probability it would be done in-house.” Interestingly, TWI, the television production arm of IMG, had also sent a proposal to DD that it was interested in producing for DD any pre and post match programme.
“Yes, we did receive some proposals from the likes of TWI, but, as said earlier, we probably would not have such cricket-related programme.” However, Quraishi refused to comment whether this decision of DD was a result of Nimbus Communications, the marketing agent of DD for World Cup cricket, expressing certain reservation on ESS using the DD platform to come out with cricket-related programmes. Even if that meant ESS buying time slots on DD after paying a premium on the normal telecast fee.
Earlier, as reported by indiantelevision.com, Prasar Bharati officials had got in touch with Nimbus on the ESS deal and had discussed various issues related to it last week. Sources there had also indicated that they had asked for a no-objection certificate from Nimbus on the ESS proposal.
If ESS had managed to get on to the DD platform, it could have resulted in some additional delight for the viewers. As a TV observer pointed out, “With ESS there on DD, the likes of Sunil Gavaskar and Geoffrey Boycott would have also been on the experts panel of the programmes. That would certainly have had the `purists’ heading for DD during these periods.”
But then if wishes were horses, many from the broadcasting and TV world would have loved to have a go at riding.
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.
