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Sony Six to telecast IPL player auction live
MUMBAI: The sports cluster of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) is all geared up to broadcast the Vivo IPL 2017 player auction live and exclusive. The auction will be aired from Bangalore on 20 February 9 am onwards on Sony Six SD and Sony Six HD channels.
A precursor to the IPL tournament, the Vivo IPL auction will see eight IPL teams bidding to build up their rosters from a host of impressive names including fast-bowler Ishant Sharma, all-rounder Ben Stokes, ODI and T20I captain Eoin Morgan, all-rounder Chris Woakes, Australian fast men Mitchell Johnson and Pat Cummins, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews, Dale Steyn, Trent Boult, Corey Anderson, Pawan Negi, Irfan Pathan and Saurabh Tiwary, amongst others.
Sony Pictures Networks India president sports and distribution Rajesh Kaul said, “The tenth season of Vivo IPL on our network will see the participation of some of the top Indian and International names in cricket. The auction will set the competitive tone of the league with the eight teams strategically bidding to build up their formidable line-up. In order to enhance the viewing experience for cricket enthusiasts, we will provide expert insights on the bidding strategies during the auction.”
As many as 140 cricketers including 44 overseas players have been retained by the franchises for the 2017 season. Viewers will get to witness a total of 351 players up for auction out of which are 122 capped players.
The auction will be led by Richard Madley, a professional auctioneer from England who has been driving the player auctions since the first player auction in 2008 which coincidentally also took place on 20 February, 2008. Former Indian cricketer, Murali Kartik and Extraaa Innings host Gaurav Kapur will be present at the auction and will engage viewers with their expert insights on the bidding strategies employed by the teams.
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.
