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Usha International continues partnership with MI Emirates for International League T20, 2024
Mumbai: Usha International, a leading consumer durables brand in India, has extended its partnership with MI Emirates for the second consecutive year, for the International League T20, 2024. The month-long league is underway, featuring six teams, spanning Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Dubai.
In 2023, Usha International extended its reach to cricket fans worldwide with its partnership with MI Emirates. This partnership further builds on the 12-year partnership between Usha International and Mumbai Indians, advancing the company’s commitment to supporting the sport of cricket worldwide.
The MI Emirates for the 2024 season is led by Nicholas Pooran and supported by a stellar cast of international cricket stars, including Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, and Trent Boult. Additionally, the team features promising local talent from the UAE, such as Muhammad Waseem, Basil Hameed, Zahoor Khan, and Rohan Bangash. Further bolstering the roster is Ambati Rayudu, India’s prolific T20 specialist.
Commenting on the partnership, the spokesperson for Usha International said, “Building on our 12-year relationship with the Mumbai Indians, this partnership with MI Emirates for the International League T20, 2024, reflects our commitment to leverage cricket’s universal appeal to promote healthy and active living. Through this synergistic union, we aim to engage with the global cricket community, sharing in the spirit of the game that transcends geographies and inspires a passion for sportsmanship”.
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.
