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Sony Pictures Sports Network to broadcast WrestleMania 37
KOLKATA: Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN), the exclusive home of WWE in India, announced the broadcast destination for WrestleMania 37, the global pop-culture extravaganza featuring WWE Superstars from across Raw, SmackDown, and NXT divisions.
This year fans across Indian sub-continent can watch the WWE Dhamaal action unfold live on 11 April and 12 April, on Sony Ten 1 (English) and Sony Ten 3 (Hindi) channels from 4.30 am IST. WrestleMania 37 will have WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan and Tampa's own WWE superstar Titus O’Neil host the two-night event emanating from the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida. This year’s WrestleMania is “Back in Business” and will mark the first time that fans will be in the stands for a WWE event since early March 2020.
To celebrate the return of this electrifying event, SPSN has launched a campaign film, which celebrates the legacy of WrestleMania, entertaining multiple generations of families for years and looking forward to showcasing WWE Superstars battle to turn into ‘The Champion of Champions’. Furthermore, SPSN’s programming initiatives will make the majestic event of WWE’s calendar more accessible to fans across India through live English and Hindi commentary.
To engage WWE fans and ensure they get a chance to express themselves, SPSN is putting together a special show ‘Live extraaa dhamaal WrestleMania’ that aims to build a community for the Indian WWE fanbase and make them feel an intrinsic part of the event. The show will have a wide range of discussion topics such as discussions on match results to possible ramifications to trending topics to social media buzz and last but not the least fan reaction to the majestic event. The 30-minute post event show will be anchored by Sahil Khattar and will also have a different WWE Superstar joining as a guest live from the venue each day.
Sony Pictures Networks India sports business distribution head & chief revenue officer Rajesh Kaul said: “WrestleMania is the biggest special event from the WWE stable which has drawn audiences over the years, and we will reach out to a wider audience by providing WrestleMania in both English and Hindi.”
In another important announcement, the WWE NXT brand which has been revolutionising the world of sports entertainment with innovative styles from trend-setting and unapologetic superstars will now air live on Wednesday mornings at 5:30 am in India beginning 14 April 2021. With the change in programming schedule, the passionate WWE fanbase will get more of what they love with back-to-back nights of exhilarating action. WWE NXT boasts a diverse international roster with 95 per cent of the current Raw and SmackDown roster coming through the WWE NXT talent development ranks including Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, Alexa Bliss to name a few.
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.
