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Ten Sports, DD to discuss India-Pakistan series telecast
MUMBAI: Officials from Indian pubcaster Prasar Bharati are meeting their counterparts from Dubai-based Ten Sports tomorrow in a last-ditch bid to squeeze something extra on the terrestrial telecast rights front.
The main argument that public broadcaster Doordarshan will be making is that Ten Sports, having given the terrestrial rights to (Pakistan’s state-run channel) PTV to telecast the series live in Pakistan, should offer it more than what has been laid on the table thus far.
Ten Sports, which holds the telecast rights for the series, is holding firm thus far and has only offered to give DD a daily highlights package for the Test matches and a one-day deferred highlights package for the One-Day Internationals.
So what is going to be up for discussion as far as Ten Sports is concerned? Only the radio broadcast rights, which Ten has also acquired, information available with indiantelevision.com indicates.
This is hardly likely to satisfy Prasar Bharati CEO KS Sarma, who is meeting top officials of Ten Sports, including CEO Chris McDonald and programming head Peter Hutton, in New Delhi tomorrow. But it remains to be seen what he can do to turn things DD’s way.
India is scheduled to play three Tests and five one-day internationals besides a three-day warm up match on their first full-fledged tour of Pakistan in over 14 years which is set to kick off from 11 March.
India unwilling to play in Karachi, Peshawar
The itinerary of the Pakistan tour is yet to be finalised and a three-member Indian team of officials is currently in Pakistan to study first hand the security and other arrangements made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The Indian officials, who will be in Pakistan for eight days, are visiting seven possible venues – Multan, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Karachi, Faisalabad and Lahore.
Current indications are that the Indian officials, after their review thus far, have turned down requests to play a match in the port city of Karachi as well as in Peshawar. This is despite the Pakistan government’s promises of “presidential” security at these centres and all the others on the itinerary.
It is worthwhile mentioning that Karachi has witnessed several bomb attacks in recent months while Peshawar is located in a region where remnants of the Taliban and Al Qaida are believed to be active.
The team is led by BCCI joint secretary Ratnakar Shetty and includes communications director Amrit Mathur and the inspector general (VIP security) in the home ministry, Yashovardhan Azad, a government nominee.
The itinerary will be announced after the inspection team gives its report on its return.
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.
