News Headline
AIU & Manav Rachna to host 2024 FISU World University Championship Shooting
Mumbai: Over 250 university shooting athletes from more than 25 countries, along with a 33-member Indian team, will compete in the FISU World University Championship Shooting, taking place in New Delhi from 9 to 13 November. This is the first time the championship has been held in India, with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) overseeing the event and Manav Rachna International Institute of Research & Studies (MRIIRS) as the host. The competition will occur at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, with an opening ceremony on 8 November at the Manav Rachna campus. Athletes will compete in various shooting disciplines, including rifle, pistol, and shotgun events.
AIU president Prof Vinay Kumar Pathak stated, “On behalf of the Association of Indian Universities, I warmly welcome all international university athletes and officials to New Delhi for the FISU World University Championship Shooting 2024. Hosting this event is an honor, and we are deeply grateful to Manav Rachna and our partners for their invaluable support. We look forward to an exciting championship and the camaraderie it will bring.”
“This championship is more than a competition; it represents our commitment to fostering athletic talent at the university level,” said MREI president and Manav Rachna University (MRU) and MRIIRS chancellor Dr Prashant Bhalla. “Bringing the FISU World University Championship to India is a tremendous honor, and we look forward to supporting these dedicated student-athletes as they demonstrate their skill and determination on a global stage.”
The event will feature categories such as the 10m Air Rifle, 50m Rifle 3 Position, Trap, and Skeet. Notable Olympic events include the 10m Air Pistol for men and women, Mixed Team events in Trap and Skeet, and the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol. By hosting this international championship, Manav Rachna continues to support the development of sports champions and empower the next generation of athletes.
MREI vice president and FISU-WUCS organizing committee president Amit Bhalla remarked, “The event’s impact extends far beyond sport, offering participants a unique opportunity for cultural exchange and camaraderie. Hosting such a significant event is a testament to India’s growing presence in the global sports arena and to Manav Rachna’s commitment to excellence in sports education.”
Top international athletes, including Paris Olympic bronze medalist Audrey Gogniat from Switzerland and German world record holder Anna Janssen, will compete alongside emerging Indian Olympians Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Sift Kaur Samra. With world champions and rising stars in attendance, this championship aims to inspire the next generation through talent and dedication to athletic excellence.
FISU president Leonz Eder said, “As FISU continues to elevate the standards of university sports internationally, the championship provides an exceptional stage for participants to meet like-minded peers, celebrate their achievements, and create lifelong memories.”
The FISU World University Championship Shooting will engage audiences worldwide, connecting young sports enthusiasts across major universities and colleges. This event underscores FISU’s commitment to providing a world-class experience and celebrating university athletes’ dedication.
Through its partnership with FISU, Manav Rachna aims to make this championship an enriching experience that fosters sportsmanship and international understanding for all participants.
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.
