MAM
IndusInd Bank reminisces its contribution to sports on National Sports Day
Mumbai: On the occasion of National Sports Day, IndusInd Bank takes a moment to reflect on its remarkable journey in supporting sports and athletes across diverse disciplines. Back in 2016, the Bank inaugurated its non-banking sports vertical, ‘IndusInd ForSports,’ with the vision of assimilating sports as a pivotal, inherent, and strategic component for both its internal and external stakeholders. Leveraging the unparalleled influence of sports to captivate, rally, and motivate, ‘IndusInd ForSports strives to unearth the finest aspects of sportsmanship—embracing human values, fostering inclusivity, and championing sustainability.
‘IndusInd ForSports’ encompasses various programs that empower Indian athletes and support inclusive sports, at large:
Para Champions Programme – The Para Champions Programme, launched in FY 2015-16 in partnership with GoSports Foundation to transform Para Sports in India, supports 45 para-athletes from 13 states and 3 union territories across 10 disciplines, providing comprehensive assistance for their sporting journeys, including equipment, training, sports science, nutrition, expertise and travel.
IndusInd Blind Cricket Programme – In 2016, the Bank in partnership with CABI, the cricketing arm of Samarthanam Trust, commenced this programme supporting the Indian Blind Cricket Team and 700+ blind cricketers (men & women) at the State and District level.
IndusInd Girl Power Programme – Launched in 2017 in partnership with Inspire Institute of Sport, this programme supports 31 woman athletes from 7 states in the field of Judo and has helped India win its first-ever gold medal at the World Judo Cadet Championships.
IndusInd Athlete and Mentor Programme – Launched in 2019 in partnership with the Mann Deshi Foundation, this programme supports 60 athletes (from Nomadic tribes/backward castes) in Satara district in Maharashtra, across 3 disciplines (field hockey, athletics and wrestling). In FY 2023-24, the Bank will support 30 above-district-level female athletes in the field of wrestling, athletics, field hockey and swimming, with unparalleled sports training expertise and need-based interventions along with advanced training of 20 Physical Education teachers.
IndusInd Inclusive Squash Programme – IndusInd Inclusive Squash program – Launched in 2023 in partnership with START Foundation, this program supports 25 Tribal girls in the sport of Squash. These athletes are from economically and historically disadvantaged communities.
The Bank’s initiatives have met with significant success and have contributed to the growth of sports in India, inspiring a brighter and more inclusive future for athletes across disciplines. In the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the India contingent won a total of 19 medals, out of which eight medals were won by athletes supported under the Para Champions Programme presented/supported by the bank. The Bank is also proud to mention that both the Indian Blind Cricket Teams supported by the Bank continued their good run at the IBSA World Blind Games in Birmingham, UK. While the Women’s Team remained unbeaten to win Gold, the Men’s Team won Silver. Furthermore, recognizing the significance of physical well-being and its beneficial effects on people and the workplace, the Bank has actively promoted health and fitness within the organization. With its employee engagement initiative titled ‘Get Set Run’ launched in 2016, the Bank has endeavoured to inculcate an active lifestyle and promote running with the objective of having a healthy workforce and has witnessed encouraging participation from its employees.
IndusInd Bank advocates both inclusivity and sporting excellence through its programs, encouraging diverse participation and supporting talented athletes across backgrounds. The Bank’s focus extends beyond promoting talent; it also strives to foster a sense of national pride through its sporting achievements. As National Sports Day is marked today, the Bank celebrates its contributions and reaffirms its commitment to elevating Indian sports, envisioning a future of flourishing athleticism and new horizons of achievement.
IndusInd Bank head – corporate, commercial & rural banking and also incharge of IndusInd ForSports Sanjeev Anand said, “At IndusInd Bank, National Sports Day holds special significance as it encapsulates our unwavering commitment to sports, inclusivity, and the indomitable spirit of athletes. Our ‘IndusInd ForSports’ initiative, which began in 2016, has been a journey of fostering values that extend beyond the field. As we empower athletes across diverse disciplines, we are reminded of the powerful impact that sports can have in contributing to a more sustainable world. Today, on National Sports Day, we salute the athletes who inspire us and reaffirm our dedication to nurturing a culture of excellence, unity, and pride.”
IndusInd Bank head – portfolio management & CSR Roopa Satish said, “At IndusInd Bank, we recognize that our role extends beyond the financial domain, committed to uplifting both the economy and society. Through ‘IndusInd ForSports,’ we tap into the unique power of sports to inspire, unite, and motivate athletes, with a strong focus on embracing human values, fostering inclusivity, and advocating sustainability. We take pride in promoting inclusivity and sporting excellence, nurturing athletes from diverse backgrounds. On this National Sports Day, we want to emphasize our dedication to supporting Indian sports, imagining a future with strong athleticism and remarkable achievements.”
Brands
Yes Madam taps Rajpal Yadav’s Chota Don nostalgia to power new digital campaign
Home salon platform ropes in Tanya Mittal as it bets on humour and pop culture to showcase trust and convenience
NOIDA: India’s fast-growing home salon platform Yes Madam is leaning on nostalgia and a dose of comic chaos to pitch its services. The brand has launched a new digital campaign starring Rajpal Yadav and influencer Tanya Mittal, reviving Yadav’s much-loved Chota Don character to underline the reliability of at-home beauty services.
The campaign marks Yes Madam’s first collaboration with Rajpal Yadav and revisits the quirky Chota Don persona made famous in the 2007 film Partner. Produced with Footloose Films, the film blends slapstick humour with a nostalgic callback to spotlight the platform’s promise of dependable, quality services delivered at home.
The storyline plays out like a miniature action comedy. Tanya Mittal finds herself surrounded by goons and calls for help, only for Rajpal Yadav to appear in full Chota Don mode, dispatching the attackers in his trademark comic style as Mittal cheers him on. The drama then flips abruptly to a calmer scene, with Mittal relaxing at home while enjoying a Yes Madam service and insisting the heroic episode really happened, even as posters of Chota Don decorate her house. The film ends with Yadav’s voiceover declaring that the incident may or may not have happened, but the trust and quality of Yes Madam’s services certainly have.
The collaboration also follows a broader show of support for Rajpal Yadav within the industry. In the growing wave of backing for the veteran actor, Mayank Arya, co-founder and chief executive of Yes Madam, publicly supported actor-producer Sonu Sood’s call for concrete help from the film industry and corporate brands. Arya took to the social media platform X urging companies to move beyond expressions of sympathy and instead offer tangible opportunities to the actor amid his ongoing legal and financial challenges.
He wrote, “Seconded @SonuSood. Even brands should come forward to help the great talent. @Rajpalofficial will also be a part of an ad film @_yesmadam! Have already aligned the team on it. #ComeBackStronger.”
Seconded @SonuSood. Even brands should come forward to help the the great talent.@Rajpalofficial will also be a part of an ad film @_yesmadam !
Have already aligned the team on it.#ComeBackStronger https://t.co/Q7qpJttLTs— Mayank Arya (@iammayankarya) February 11, 2026
Rajpal Yadav recently surrendered at Tihar Jail after the Delhi High Court rejected his plea seeking additional time to repay dues in a long-running cheque-bounce case. The actor had been accused in the case in 2018 after he was unable to repay a loan taken for a film project that failed at the box office. The court later ordered him to surrender after the dues remained unpaid.
The situation triggered a wave of support from several high-profile figures. Sonu Sood emerged as one of the most prominent voices, expressing solidarity and promising Yadav a role in his next film. Sood emphasised that industry support should be about dignity and real job opportunities rather than charity. Celebrities including Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Gurmeet Choudhary and Guru Randhawa have also publicly extended financial and professional support.
Before surrendering, Rajpal Yadav shared an emotional statement in which he spoke about feeling alone and unsupported, a remark that struck a chord with many in the industry. However, his brother later clarified that the actor would never have intended to suggest that he lacked support from colleagues or well-wishers.
Reflecting on the campaign, Mayank Arya said the film was designed to entertain while strengthening the brand’s message. “At Yes Madam, we have always believed in creating campaigns that connect with audiences in an engaging and memorable way. I had earlier spoken about the importance of extending meaningful opportunities to Rajpal Yadav, and we are glad to be the first brand to take that step forward with this collaboration. Through this film, we wanted to create a compelling narrative while also reinforcing the trust and reliability that customers associate with Yes Madam’s services,” Arya said.
Akanksha Vishnoi, co-founder, said the campaign leans on nostalgia to strike a chord with digital audiences. “Consumers today engage deeply with content that blends entertainment with relatability. With this campaign, we wanted to revisit a nostalgic moment while subtly reinforcing the convenience and reliability of at-home services. Rajpal Yadav’s Chota Don is an iconic character that instantly evokes nostalgia and humour, making it the perfect fit for this campaign. Tanya Mittal’s presence added a vibrant energy and helped us bring the vision of the campaign to life,” Vishnoi said.
Founded in 2016, Yes Madam offers salon and spa services at home through trained professionals using hygienic, single-use product formats. The platform now operates in more than 55 cities across India, pitching convenience, transparency and quality to a growing base of urban consumers.
The new campaign, rolling out across social media and video platforms, makes its pitch with a wink. The Chota Don rescue might be fiction, but the promise of a salon at your doorstep, the brand suggests, is the real deal.
