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Zee Sports forms fourth pack in Zee-Turner bouquet
MUMBAI: Zee Sports is priced as a standalone channel at Rs 10 a month per subscriber, forming the fourth pack in the Zee-Turner distribution bouquet.
The price of the `Break-free Cinema’ bundle is reduced by Rs 5 to Rs 20 a month after MX Channel, which used to air international action films, has been pulled out. On offer are the other three movie channels – Action Cinema, Premier Cinema and Classic Cinema.
These movie channels do not have commercial breaks. “We have revised the bouquet price from Rs 25 to Rs 20 a month,” said Zee-Turner chief executive officer Siddharth Jain. A separate team handles these channels but the reporting structure at the senior level is common, he added.
Zee-Turner’s second bouquet is priced at Rs 25 a month. This includes channels like HBO, Pogo, CNBC Awaaz, Vh1 and Zee Business. The first bouquet, which has channels like Zee TV, Zee Cinema and Cartoon Network, costs Rs 58.85 a month.
With Zee Sports telecasting the football Federation Cup, the channel has been able to sew in deals with several cable operators. A majority of the cable operators including the big multi system operators (MSOs), however, have yet to enter into a distribution agreement. “Football is crazy in Goa. There is pressure on the ground to carry the channel,” said a cable operator in Goa.
Zee has bagged the telecast rights from the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The first event of the Federation Cup is taking place in Goa. The next tournament is the Santosh Trophy which takes place at the end of next month.
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.
