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Usha International extends partnership with Mumbai Indians women’s cricket for second season
Mumbai: Usha International, India’s leading consumer durables brand, is pleased to announce the continuation of its partnership with the Mumbai Indians women’s team for the second consecutive year, building on the decade long partnership. Echoing the team’s slogan ‘Aali Re’ (the women have arrived) Usha International is excited to continue its journey with the Mumbai Indians family – a journey that promises to develop and strengthen women’s cricket, both domestically and internationally. The first season of the league was a resounding success for MI, having lifted the inaugural trophy but also to packed stadium, fans tuning in to watching the games, and players now becoming household names.
This year, Mumbai Indians will play the first game of the season at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium on 23 February 2024. The league will feature 20 matches and two playoffs, leading to the final on March 17. The first half, including 11 matches, will be in Bengaluru, and the rest, including 9 league matches and the playoffs, will be in New Delhi at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The Mumbai Indians women’s team, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur includes world-class players from India and abroad such as Pooja Vastrakar, Yastika Bhatia, Natalie Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Hayley Matthews, Shabim Ismail, and the find of season 1 Saika Ishaque, among others.
Usha International head of sports initiatives Komal Mehra commented, “The incredible visibility and enthusiasm generated by the league’s inaugural season have been truly inspiring. Our partnership with the Mumbai Indians aligns with Usha’s ethos to promote health, active and joyful living through sports. Joining hands with the MI Women’s Team would contribute to the development of sports among women in India by showcasing the aspirational value of being a sportswoman demonstrating our commitment to inclusivity and sports for all.”
Speaking on the partnership, the Mumbai Indians spokesperson said, “Our decade-long collaboration with Usha International reflects the strength of our partnership. As both brands have evolved and grown, this journey stands as a testament to the seamless synergies we share. Here’s to continued success and growth together.”
Usha has been a fervent supporter and promoter of a wide range of inclusive sporting initiatives across the country. This includes its affiliation with the Mumbai Indians; Ultimate Flying Disc; Football; Ladies Amateur and Junior Golf; Cricket for the deaf; and Sports for the visually challenged, including athletics, kabaddi, judo, and powerlifting. The brand is deeply committed to reviving long-forgotten sports and supporting indigenous Indian regional sports such as Kalaripayattu, Mallakhamb, Siat Khnam, Thang-Ta, Turai Kabaddi, Saz-Loung, Mardani Khel, Satoliya, Yoga, and Silambam.
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.
