News Headline
Telecast rights issue before BCCI marketing panel
MUMBAI: The working committee of the Board for Cricket Control in India (BCCI), which met in Kolkata today to discuss the telecast rights of cricket matches in the country for the next four years, among other things, has referred the issue to its marketing committee for “further advice”.
Board president Jagmohan Dalmiya, speaking to the media after the meeting where all 26 members of the committee were in attendance, said the matter would be taken up for further discussion tomorrow. A Zee News report has quoted the Indian board supremo as saying a final decision on the issue would be made during tomorrow’s meeting.
BOMBAY HIGH COURT DISMISSES PIL A two-judge bench of the Bombay High Court today dismissed a public interest litigation alleging irregularities in the issue of India rights tenders, the Press Trust of India has reported.
The court, on 14 August, had expressed its desire to hear affected parties and TV channels such as Sony, Zee, Sahara and Doordarshan, besides BCCI.
The PIL, filed by advocate Swapnil Pednekar on 11 August, had impleaded the Union ministry of sports, Union ministry of information & broadcasting, ESPN Star Sports, Ten Sports, Sony Entertainment TV India, Zee Telefilms, World Sport Nimbus and IMG/TWI, amongst others, in the case.
The plea had also listed a number of complaints against the functioning of the BCCI.
RELIANCE OFFICIAL IT PARTNER The BCCI on Monday also announced a multi-million rupee alliance with Reliance Industries to set up a hi-tech communication facility “for the Board for overall betterment of sports in the country,” PTI reported.
The report quotes Dalmiya as saying Reliance would be given the status of official IT partner of the board.
As per the terms of the agreement, Reliance would carry out a Rs 50 million to Rs 70 million project to “set up state-of-the-art communication facilities and technical support systems like video conferencing, for technical matters pertaining to age determination of players, injury problems, ground and wicket preparations, among others,” the report says.
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.
