News Headline
Star Sports’ Cricket Connected to celebrate Sachin’s birthday
MUMBAI: The ‘God of Cricket’ Sachin Tendulkar will headline this week’s special two-part episode on Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected that airs on Saturday, 25 April. The part one of the episode will be broadcasted at 7 pm and part two at 9 pm, which will be hosted by Jatin Sapru.
Follow Tellychakkar for the consumer facing news & entertainment
Team India legends VVS Laxman and Harbhajan Singh along with former Australia pace machine Brett Lee have been roped in as the experts for this week’s episode. The growing popularity of the show in English and Hindi has urged Star Sports to introduce the show in its regional channels.
Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports 1 Kannada and Star Sports 1 Telugu are doing a lot to keep the channels engaging and entertaining for all cricket lovers.
Tendulkar will give a special sneak-peak on how he’s coping with life during the lockdown. The master blaster will dole out interesting tips on how he used to practice indoors and will also help the current crop of professional cricketers with priceless advice on how to stay mentally focussed during challenging times that COVID-19 has posed before the world.
Tendulkar, urging fans to stay indoors, said on Cricket Connected: “My fans wished well for me for many years. They encouraged me and they prayed for me. What did they pray for? That Sachin shouldn’t get out and I should be at the crease. My wish for them is that they should also not get out. They should also stay inside the crease which means indoors, safe, and healthy. If they are healthy and safe, then I am more than happy.”
Tendulkar, who ended his glorious career in 2013, also shed light on his fabled ‘Desert Storm’ innings against Australia in 1998 at Sharjah. The cricket legend had smashed 143 against a bowling attack featuring the likes of Shane Warne, Damien Fleming and Michael Kasprowicz as temperatures reached a maximum of 41 degrees Celsius. Tendulkar also recalled some of his magic with the ball.
This episode of Cricket Connected will also see the Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T.s) players from the Indian Premier League being extended to fans via polls. Winners from the five categories – batsmen, bowlers, all-rounders, captain and coach – will be declared by popular choice. The episode will also give an insight into Team India captain Virat Kohli’s life during the lockdown.
Cricket Connected is an innovative concept by Star Sports to fill in the void left by the absence of live events. The show has proved to be that medium for fans to connect with their favourite experts. Each episode has segments that encourage fans to engage and interact with cricketing legends.
Segments such as #AskStar give fans an opportunity to share their favourite cricket moments by tweeting their questions using the hashtag for the legends to answer. There is also another segment, Kids Connected, which involves young fans and invites them to share home-made videos of them doing commentary.
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.
