News Headline
Ten to play ball as out of court pact possible
NEW DELHI: After an early morning press conference by Taj Television Ltd. promoter AR Bukhatir, where he allayed fears of blackout on the telly of Tuesdays cricket match in Rawalpindi, the scene of action has shifted to the corridors of power here where the theory of an out of court settlement has gained momentum.
Though Lalit Modi, MD of Modi Enterprises, which looks after the distribution activity of Ten Sports in India, during the Bukhatir press conference told journalists that an out of court settlement would be the last recourse, the theory got a fillip after Bukhatir sought an appointment with information and broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
According to the latest information available with indiantelevision.com, the meeting is yet to be confirmed as Prasad returned from Mumbai, where he had gone to attend the Ficci Frames 2004 event, just a few hours ago.
According to government sources, a formal offer for an out of court settlement has not been made yet. But it is expected, is how a government official this morning described the situation when asked whether Taj Television of Dubai has sent feelers to the government or Prasar Bharati.
As in a humdinger of a one-dayer, the situation is changing every 15 minutes in Delhi. A sample: at 8.40 am today, Taj TV representatives said Bukhatir has to return to Dubai immediately, while around 11 am, Prasads office confirmed that Bukhatir and a team, comprising Taj TV Ltd CEO Chris McDonald, Lalit Modi and his companys advisor RK Singh, had sought a meeting with the minister.
Meanwhile, Bukhatir, who has been in India since yesterday, has had interactions with the Indian government at various levels, informed sources told indiantelevision.com. When asked about a reported meeting with law minister Arun Jaitley yesterday, Bukhatir told newspersons, It (the meeting) did not come through, but we spoke over phone.
Pointing out that Ten Sports has made huge investments in acquiring sporting properties, Bukhatir said that it was of concern to them to see the rights investments have been damaged over the recent past as Ten has been unilaterally compelled to share its exclusive rights with third parties without any pre-determined agreements or adequate compensation.
Bukhatir, who expressed confidence in the Supreme Court and the Indian government, said, I have advised our distribution partners in India to follow orders of the SC and hope that viewers throughout India will enjoy todays match. The SC, in an interim ruling yesterday, had said that the signals for todays match be made available to Doordarshan, but the terrestrial broadcaster would have to carry Tens logo and also advertisements booked by it. Giving up an aggressive stance taken yesterday by Taj Sports India Pvt Ltd, the distribution and marketing agent of Taj Sports Ltd in India, Bukhatir today said that Ten is in India to do business on a long term basis. If we have to do that, we must also respect the law of the land, he added.
TEN MAY BID FOR BCCI TELECAST RIGHTS
While the cricket telecast controversy rages on, consuming the nations attention and kilos of newsprint and hours of airtime on various TV channels, Dubai-based Taj Sports today indicated that it may bid for cricket telecast rights of matches to be organised under the aegis of Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI).
The BCCI cricket telecast rights, at present with pubcaster DD, would be up for grabs later this year. Those who have shown interest include Sony Entertainment TV India, Sahara group, ESPN-Star Sports and even Prasar Bharati.
Thats our intention, Chris McDonald , CEO of Taj Sports Ltd, said when asked by indiantelevision.com whether his company would bid for BCCI cricket, considering the problems that it has got entangled here with DD.However, he added that the company would have to study the tender documents for terms and conditions carefully before putting up the money for the telecast rights.
Asked whether Ten has faced similar problems in other countries, McDonald retorted, I cant say I have.
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.
