News Headline
Mr. T to enter WWE Hall of Fame live on WWE Network
MUMBAI: The world of wrestling has always been an area of interest for celebrities from the entertainment industry. One such name is the pop-culture icon Mr. T, one of the most iconic personas in entertainment history, starring in the hit television show The A-Team and the blockbuster film Rocky III. In addition to his Hollywood career, Mr. T also made many memorable WWE appearances in the mid-1980s.
Recognising his association with WWE, the company announced yesterday that this year’s celebrity inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame will be Mr. T. At a ceremony on Saturday, 5 April in New Orleans that will be broadcast live, for the first time ever, exclusively on WWE Network at 9:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST).
“WWE is honored to have Mr. T join the WWE Hall of Fame,” said WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. “His WWE appearances were instrumental in helping to establish WrestleMania as the pop-culture phenomenon it is today.”
In 1985, he was part of the main event of the inaugural WrestleMania at the Madison Square Garden, successfully teaming with Hulk Hogan to defeat “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff. In 1986, he defeated “Rowdy” Roddy Piper by disqualification in a special boxing match at WrestleMania 2 and also appeared on NBC’s Saturday Night’s Main Event program.
Mr. T is the latest celebrity inductee to enter the WWE Hall of Fame, joining Donald J. Trump, Drew Carey, Pete Rose, Bob Uecker, Mike Tyson and William “Refrigerator” Perry. Other members of the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame Class include Ultimate Warrior, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Lita, Paul Bearer and Carlos Colon.
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.
