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Prasar Bharati bowls a googly on cricket radio rights
NEW DELHI: Indian pubcaster Prasar Bharati doesn’t give up easily even though broadcasting guidelines are heavily loaded in its favour.
The latest in this story of the pubcaster vs. private sports broadcasters is that a letter has been shot off to the Indian cricket board on the non-exclusive rights that would be granted to All India Radio.
According to sources in Prasar Bharati, which manages Doordarshan and AIR, the pubcaster has said that it should be granted exclusive broadcast rights for domestic Indian cricket as within India no other TV or radio station can air commentary due to present government norms.
Prasar Bharati’s letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) contends that AIR has to be given exclusive broadcast rights, contrary to no-exclusive rights as has been announced by the cricket board, because private FM radio stations are debarred from airing news and current affairs programmes.
Prasar Bharati has interpreted running commentary as news and current affairs programming, a segment that is out of bounds presently for private FM radio players.
In India, private companies are given licences to operate only FM radio stations in select cities, while AIR broadcasts in medium and short waves too throughout the country.
Earlier this month, while taking major decisions on broadcast rights of Indian cricket, the BCCI had said that though AIR would be given the rights free, it would be on a non-exclusive basis as radio rights would be marketed separately like DTH, IPTV and mobile telephony.
BCCI is yet to respond to the letter that gives an all new twist to the broadcast rights issue.
Pubcaster’s arrears to be recovered legally
Meanwhile, the financially-burdened public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has initiated legal action and arbitration proceedings to recover arrears running over Rs 1,750 million from defaulting agencies, according to the Press Trust of India (PTI).
“Arbitration proceedings/legal action have been initiated to recover the arrears,” Information and Broadcasting minister P R Dasmunsi informed Rajya Sabha (Upper House) in a written reply.
Asked whether the government planned to revive the annual licencing system for radio and TV sets or a one-time tax to finance Prasar Bharati, Dasmunsi said no specific proposals were under consideration.
“However, various ideas have been mooted to strengthen Prasar Bharati’s autonomous financial base,” PTI quoted the minister as saying.
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.
