News Headline
Hero to be the title sponsor for Hockey Junior World Cup
MUMBAI: Hero Motocorp today announced its association with the Hockey Junior World Cup. Hero will be the title sponsors of the tournament that will see the participation of 16 of the finest junior (under 21yrs) international teams of the world as they fight it out for the title at the famous Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. The tournament will go on from 6 to 15 December, 2013.
Hero Motocorp is an FIH (International Hockey Federation) partner and the title sponsor for all FIH events taking place in India till the end of 2015.
Hero MotoCorp MD & CEO Pawan Munjal said, “It is a privilege to be associated with the Hockey Junior World Cup. This is also in keeping with our long-term commitment to promote Hockey in the country. Youth plays a pivotal role towards building world-class teams and we hope our support can help drive the growth of hockey in India and around the world. I wish all the participating teams the very best and look forward to seeing some great performance from these future stars of world hockey.”
“The Junior World Cup is an extremely important event for FIH”, said International Hockey Federation CEO Kelly Fairweather. “It puts the spotlight on the future stars of the game, providing some of the finest young talents in the world with the perfect opportunity to make a name for them in a world class sporting environment. We are delighted to have Hero Motorcorp as a Global Partner and the Title Sponsor for the Junior World Cup and other upcoming FIH Major Events in India, including the World League Finals in January,” he added.
The tournament features four pools, each of which contains four teams ahead of the quarter-finals, semi-finals, classification and medal matches. Pool A will feature Germany, Pakistan, Belgium and Egypt, while Australia, Spain, Argentina and France are competing in Pool B. Netherlands, Korea, India and Canada will challenge each other in Pool C with England, New Zealand, South Africa and Malaysia going head to head in Pool D.
The Indian team led by Manpreet Singh will open its campaign against the Netherlands, a team that will almost certainly be targeting the title. Playing under home conditions, Indian hockey’s young guns will compete against other top contenders like Germany, Australia and Spain.
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.
