News Headline
Telecast row: all eyes on SC now
NEW DELHI: After the day started like a Sehwag-Sachin hurricane inning with developments happening fast in the first 15 overs of the match, as the day progressed, the run rate had slowed down. Though government officials were in a meeting with the attorney-general in the evening, the sign of an out-of-court settlement receded in the background.
Pointing out that there were signs of an out of court settlement earlier in the day, a government source admitted, “Now both the parties seem to be waiting for a verdict from the Supreme Court.”The source also indicated that if any settlement is to be worked out by the two warring factions at this juncture — that needs to be conveyed to the apex court — it would have to be done within the framework of any direction that SC sets.
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice of India, would take up tomorrow for another round of hearing a Special Leave Petition filed by Taj Sports India Pvt. Ltd., which pertains to telecast rights of the ongoing Indo-Pakistan cricket series in the light of a Chennai high court verdict that said signals should be made available to pubcaster Doordarshan.
The government source, while admitting that “sanctity of contractual obligations need to be honoured,” added in the same vein that there had been “no strong reciprocity from their (Ten’s) side” to come to an understanding with DD.
Taj Sports India, through its representatives, have reiterated over the last few days that a offer was made to DD, which was turned down.
The offer envisaged having the match feeds from a satellite that did not go across many countries and that would be downlinked to low power transmitters through decoder boxes supplied by ten to cater to areas where cable penetration is low. In the metros and other big cities, the satellite signals from Ten Sports would have to be distributed by cable operators.
The government source, on its part, insisted that government intervention should not be read as “bullying tactics” as the cricket series has been “facilitated by the governments of India and Pakistan.” The source added: “The problem is not so insurmountable.”
In a surprising move, today morning Taj TV Ltd. Struck a conciliatory note when its owner AR Bukhatir said that he hoped Indians would get to watch all the matches — a stand in sharp contrast to the stridency shown yesterday by Taj’s Indian associates who had spoken about a possibility of blacking out the total Indian region for Tuesday’s match.
It is learn that Prasar Bharati board, during its meeting on Friday in Mumbai, has okayed a proposal wherein DD can offer up to $ 15 million for terrestrial rights of the cricket matches.
Now, all eyes are on SC when it pronounces a verdict tomorrow. The judgement is likely to become a guiding force for similar cases related to telecast rights in future.
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.
