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Ten Sports moves SC on cricket rights
NEW DELHI: Like Banquo’s ghost, the cricket rights issue has returned to haunt cricket administrators, broadcasters and the general public in India.
Even as Sachin Tendulkar is presently warming up to the Pakistan winter, Dubai-headquartered Ten Sports has moved the Indian Supreme Court, again, seeking a stay on government norms making it mandatory for the sports channels to share feed of sporting events of national importance with Prasar Bharati.
The petition filed by Taj Television Ltd, parent of Ten Sports that holds exclusive rights for cricket matches to be played in Pakistan, terms government guideline arbitrary without the authority of the law, Press Trust of India reported on Sunday.
The sports channel has challenged in Supreme Court a Bombay High Court order refusing it any relief by which it has been compelled to share the live feed of an Indo-Pakistan cricket series commencing from 13 January.
The Bombay High Court admitted a petition filed by Ten Sports in November last, but had refused to grant any interim relief and adjourned the hearing till further order.
The Indian cricket team has already reached Pakistan and is playing its first practice match.
According to the PTI report, Prasar Bharati has also filed a caveat to pre-empt Ten Sport from taking any ex-parte interim order against the Bombay high court order.
In its petition in SC, listed for hearing on Monday (9 January, 2006), Ten Sports has contended that New Delhi cannot take away its right that was acquired in a foreign country.
The guidelines state that sports channels will share their feed with Prasar Bharati for “national and international sporting events of national importance” in India or abroad.
In case of cricket matches it will include all matches involving India. More importantly, in case of cricket, guidelines are to operate retrospectively, that is, covering events for which broadcasting rights have been already bought.
Interestingly, ESPN Star Sports too moved the Delhi high court late last year challenging the downlink guidelines on sharing sports content with DD.
In 2004, when India toured Pakistan after 14 years, Ten Sports had moved the SC against sharing the feed with Doordarshan, managed by Prasar Bharati.
That case is still pending a final observation from the SC, though the 2004 series was also shown on DD, which carried Ten Sports signals, including advertisements booked by the Dubai-headquartered channel.
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HC refuses to grant interim relief to Ten Sports; admits plea
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.
