News Headline
Indium Software presents the first-ever AITA ranking tournament in Chennai
Mumbai: Indium Software, a fast-growing digital engineering company, today announced the launch of the Indium AITA Tennis Championship 2023 for men and women in association with the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association. The first-ever AITA ranking event in Chennai, the tournament will be held from 31 July – 5 August 2023 at the SDAT Tennis Stadium, Nungambakkam, Chennai and will also host the AITA ranking Wheelchair Tennis Championship for men & women.
Indium Software is committed to nurturing young athletes and has supported multiple events across the fields of sports and the arts. The AITA Ranking Tournament is known for its competitive nature and high-profile contestants, bringing tennis enthusiasts from across the country together. This year will see over 300 players from 14 states in the country, including top seed players such as Manish Suresh Kumar – National Champion and National Games Gold medalist, Vishnu Vardhan – Former Davis Cup Winner of Telangana, Nitin Kumar Sinha – India Rank 14 of the West, V M Ranjeet — former TN star. The women players include Vaishnavi Adkar – India ranked 15 followed by a number of talented players such as India rank no. 18, Sahira Singh of Punjab, and current national Women’s Runner-up, Sai Samhitha of Tamilnadu.
TNTA president Vijay Amritraj said, “It’s a historic moment for the TNTA as we are organising our inaugural AITA ranking event this year. TNTA has been among the leading state associations that have been promoting sports in the country for the last 28 years. The Indium AITA 2023 tournament is India’s highest-prize money AITA ranking event this year. It’s encouraging to see corporates like Indium actively supporting and nurturing young talent. Our collective vision is to build a thriving ecosystem that nurtures young tennis enthusiasts and develops world-class talent. With the right guidance, resources, and opportunities, Indian tennis players have the ability to reach new heights and compete on the global stage.”
“We are proud to be associated with the AITA & TNTA Tournaments as their sponsor for the second consecutive year,” said Indium Software co-founder & CEO Ram Sukumar. “At Indium Software, we believe that sports are integral to shaping well-rounded individuals and providing them with the right of passage for a better future. This sponsorship reflects our corporate social responsibility and commitment to supporting young athletes and providing them with opportunities to showcase their talent. We are excited to witness the outstanding performances that are going to unfold this year.”
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.
