News Headline
“Sports like Pro Kabaddi League will make India a sports nation:” Dr Subhash Chandra
MUMBAI: Star Sports’ Pro Kabaddi League has found many admirers and amongst them is none other than Essel Group chairman Dr Subhash Chandra.
Speaking about Pro Kabaddi League, Chandra said, “Star Sports is doing a great job and is packaging the sport well. It is sports like these, which will make India a sporting nation and not just a cricket nation.”
When asked if Essel Group was mulling at starting something in the league, he said, “I am sure my sports team would be looking at it.”
The second season of Pro Kabaddi League has picked up, not only in terms of sponsorships, but also viewership. According to the TAM Sports analysis, the sport has seen a 60 per cent growth in viewership as compared to the last season for the first 26 matches.
The League, for the first 26 matches, has bagged 1.24 TVR as compared to 0.77 TVR in the last season. What’s more, Pro Kabaddi League season 2 has seen a 13 per cent growth in its average reach as well. This year it registered 4.45 per cent average reach as compared to 3.92 per cent in the last season.
The Time Spent per Viewer (TSV) has gone up from 15.77 in season 1 to 19.91 in season 2.
It can be noted that while in season one Pro Kabaddi League was being telecast on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 4, Star Gold, Star Sports 3 and Star Sports 2, in the second season, it is being aired on Star Gold, Star Sports 3, Star Sports HD2, Star Sports HD3, Maa Movies, Star Sports 2, Plus Suvarna and Star Pravah, thus giving it a larger reach and visibility.
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.
