News Headline
Star Sports receives permission to broadcast in regional languages, 4 new channels to be launched
MUMBAI: Regional languages have received a great thrust with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) granting sports broadcaster Star Sports the permission to telecast in all regional languages.
The languages are Assamese, Bengali, Bodi, Dogri, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and any other language as permitted under the Constitution of India. The permission to uplink has been given for Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 3, Star Sports 4, Star Sports HD 1 and Star Sports HD 2.
The sports broadcaster has also got the licence to come up with four new sports channels: ESPN, ESPN HD, Star Sports Highlights and Star Cricket Asia. These four new channels too have been granted permission to uplink in the regional languages permitted under the Constitution.
The sports broadcaster, which broke away from the joint venture with ESPN Software India in 2012, was until now downlinking from Hong Kong and Singapore. Now with the permissions, the uplinking will be done from Noida, with a backup from Mumbai.
With regard to the brand name ESPN, according to Star India sources, Star Sports still has the permission to use the name since the licence was applied before the JV between Star Sports and ESPN ended.
It is also learnt that after initiatives like the Pro Kabaddi League and the Hero Indian Super League, Star Sports will be promoting other national sports and therefore create its own IP’s.
The broadcaster had applied for licences in several regional languages for ‘operational feasibility’ and will decide over a period of time when to provide content in regional languages.
With the new licences, Star Sports now has a total of 10 channels under its bouquet: Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 3, Star Sports 4, Star Sports HD 1, Star Sports HD 2, ESPN, ESPN HD, Star Sports Highlights and Star Cricket Asia.
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.
