News Headline
Ten Sports to telecast indoor ODI
MUMBAI: Two Indian cricketers, yesterday’s star Javagal Srinath & and today’s hero Yuvraj Singh, will be participating in the “The Brits” versus the “Rest of the World” first ever “indoor” cricket international to be played in England.
There will be more entertainment provided to the viewing public with Wales’s Pop Idol star Jessica Gar-lick and West End singer Steve Balsamo joining top Asian band Stereo Nation as the off-field entertainment.
With no possibility of rain disrupting the proceedings, this latest “innovation” to be brought to the game, allows captains to make football style substitutions with match length being under five hours.
This format has each match consisting of four innings – two per side with each innings consisting of 15 overs – and captains have the luxury of making player substitutions to their 11-strong teams. For the first five overs of each innings only six fielders are permitted to be outside the field restriction area at the time of delivery. Batsmen will be offered 10-run incentives for any shots that land in the upper tier, eight for reaching the middle tier with a normal six for the lower tier.
The Brits, led by Nasser Hussain, will take on a Rest of The World Eleven led by New Zealand’s Stephen Fleming. Players have drawn from virtually every test playing nation – India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West Indies and New Zealand.
The complete telecast schedule is as follows:
Friday 4 October – Match 01 (Live) – 9:30 pm – 3:00 am
Saturday 5 October – Match 01 (Repeat) – 4 pm – 9:30 pm
Saturday 5 October – Match 02 (Live) – 9:30 pm – 3:00 am
Sunday 6 October – Match 02 (Repeat) – 4 pm – 9:30 pm
Peter Hutton, vice-president programming and events was quoted as saying in an official release: “This is a unique event and we wanted to be the first to bring this exciting concept to India. Cricket is something that is best enjoyed with little or no interruptions and with the indoor venue there will be no rain delays. In addition the tight packaging of each match into 4-5 hours of dynamite action will keep the interest alive with the youngsters and bring in even the casual observer in to the viewership net.”
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.
