News Headline
SC to Prasar Bharati: File replies to Ten plea
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today asked Prasar Bharati to file its replies on a petition filed by Ten Sports challenging a government norm making it mandatory for private broadcasters to share feeds of important events with the Indian pubcaster.
The Supreme Court has directed Prasar Bharati to enlist the terms and conditions under which it would like Ten Sports, exclusive rights holder of Pakistan cricket, to share the feed.
The case has been posted for hearing tomorrow.
Ten Sports has said in its petition that the Indian government has no legal jurisdiction to dictate, through rules and regulations, terms on a business deal that were concluded outside India and before a certain set of norms were implemented late 2004.
Ten Sports is agreeable to share with Prasar Bharati / Doordarshan the feeds for the pubcaster’s terrestrial network (at a price, of course), but is against such a feed being put by DD on its channels that are beamed via satellite too. Reason: Such broadcast will affect Ten’s advertising revenue from cable TV.
Though Prasar Bharati, which is a gainer from government norms, kept a prudent silence today, sources in the organisation admitted that a commercial deal could be struck with Ten if the private channel was willing.
According to a report filed by the United News of India, Ten Sports had earlier submitted to a bench comprising Justice Ashok Bhan and Justice Tarun Chatterjee that it was willing to provide signals to Prasar Bharti if it would telecast the same along with its advertisements. UNI quotes senior counsel Harish Salve as pointing out that on an earlier occasion also, Prasar Bharti was directed to telecast ‘dirty signals’ (signals without any editing).
The Ten case comes at a time when the Indian cricket team is on a tour of Pakistan. Ten Sports holds exclusive TV rights to Pakistan cricket.
Meanwhile, ARY Digital, which holds the radio rights for Pakistan cricket, too, has been unable to strike an understanding with Prasar Bharati for broadcast on All India Radio.
The matter has got deadlocked over the price.
Also Read:
Ten Sports moves SC on cricket right.
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.
