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Value creation is the prism through which we evaluate sports: Rahul Johri
Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises president business for South Asia Rahul Johri stated that the company evaluates every sports property through the prism of value creation for its stakeholders. It was the only Indian company that participated in the recently concluded e-auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) media rights from 2023-2027.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sold the media rights to the IPL for the next five years for a total of Rs 48,390 crore or Rs 118 crore per match for 410 matches. Disney Star retained the TV broadcast rights, while Viacom18 claimed the digital broadcast rights and shared the international broadcast rights with Times Internet. Zee was a contender for the digital broadcast rights.
In his statement, Johri congratulated BCCI for running an extremely efficient and transparent e-auction process. He said, “We are grateful to the BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, honourable secretary Jay Shah, and treasurer Arun Dhumal for their able leadership and unwavering support in enabling Zee’s participation in the IPL media rights tender process.”
He stated that Zee will focus on value creation for its stakeholders over everything else and will continue to evaluate every sports property through the same prism.
Zee is currently in the process of completing a merger with Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) India who was a contender for the IPL TV broadcast rights.
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.
