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Prasar Bharati hints it will not bid high for Aussie tour
NEW DELHI: Indian pubcaster Doordarshan, sitting happily on the ringside watching the cricket telecast soap opera unfurl with twists and turns, today hinted that it would not bid high if the rights come in a piecemeal fashion.
Pointing out that the recent developments are still being studied by the organisation, Prasar Bharati CEO KS Sarma today evening told indiantelevision.com, “I am not going to reveal my plans to the media, but it should suffice that it would not make sense for us to bid high if only few series are offered to us as way of a compromise.”
Sarma’s observations were based on indiantelevision.com’s feedback to him that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may hawk the Australia and South Africa domestic series separately.
The plan, the BCCI has in mind, is that it will hive off the next three series separately (Australia in October, South Africa in November and Pakistan in March 2005) and offer fresh tenders for cricket rights four years from May 2005 uptill 2009.
Prasar Bharati, which manages Doordarshan and All India Radio, was the third highest bidder ($ 150 million) for the four-year cricket telecast rights being offered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) till 2008. The No. 1 spot was, of course occupied by Zee Tele with a $ 260 million bid that was further hiked subsequently, followed by ESPN-Star Sports, which was approximately 10 per cent lower than Zee.
According to Sarma, a five-day Test match, irrespective of the fact who is playing India and where, does not warrant a high price to be paid for the telecast rights. “Unlike an one-dayer, a Test is not always watched and followed that passionately. It would be difficult to sell airtime above an average price, which would be a deterrent for us to quote a high price.”
As a matter of practice, while a one-day cricket game is telecast on DD’s flagship channel, DD National, which has a massive terrestrial reach, Tests are generally aired on the sports channel that does not have the reach of DD National. On an average, most cable operators prefer to keep DD Sports on non-prime band.
What is further comforting for DD is that irrespective of the rights owner, in the event of a national telecast, the feeds are most likely to be shared with the terrestrial and national broadcaster in public interest.
But keeping all these hard financial figures aside, another Prasar Bharati official jokingly pointed out that with the current (dismal) form of Saurav Ganguly’s Men in Blue, it is debatable whether anybody would like to watch them play at all. Irrespective of the channel that is telecasting them and whether advertisers would like to ride the cricket bandwagon or not.
Certainly these are points that the BCCI and its chief Jagmohan Dalmiya should ponder over.
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.
