News Headline
Rediff Radio cashes in on WC with value added services
MUMBAI: With World Cup fever hotting up in the country, Rediff.com has announced a slew of initiatives regarding Rediff Radio.
Rediff Radio will offer a package of subscription based value added services along with several free programmes on the 2003 World Cup Cricket tournament being currently played in South Africa. The service can be viewed at http://www.rediff.com/wc2003/wcradio.htm
An official release informs that since launching on 11 February when India took on Holland, Rediff Radio has drawn over 50,000 registered users with over 60 per cent of the users from outside India, primarily the United States and Canada.
Users can listen to the live unofficial cricket commentary of the seven key super six league matches for a subscription package of US$14.99. Various other combinations for one-off matches are also available, including the semi-finals and the final scheduled on 23 March.
Currently Rediff Radio offers the following programmes free to all its users:
Match Masala: This Hindi programe summarises the proceedings of the matches played during the day.
Point Counter-Point: – This sees the in-house cricket panel debate on various issues related to the game or a team.
Public Bol:- This brings to listeners the views of cricket enthusiasts on a particular match across New York, London and Mumbai.
Safari Tales: Rediff’s reporters visit the various cricketting venues in Safari land to bring listeners news, views and trivia live.
Pricing of the live unofficial commentary for the matches in the semi-final and finals of the Cricket World Cup 2003 will be decided in the next few days and made available on the site to all users the release states.
Over the next few months Rediff Radio will offer users a premium Internet radio service primarily focusing on the varied interests of the Indian diaspora. Users can subscribe to this service to listen to 24 hours of content programmed in-house including genre based as well as live call in programming. This includes news, cricket, movie previews, reviews etc for its subscribers the release states.
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.
