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“Sports Conclave 2023” a landmark event by News18 Punjab Haryana celebrating sports excellence
Mumbai: News18 Punjab Haryana is proud to announce the “Sports Conclave 2023,” on 25 July at Chandigarh, a unique platform that brings together the finest sports personalities and administrators from Punjab, Haryana, and across the country. This much-awaited event is set to be an unparalleled gathering of minds, aiming to reminisce, discuss, and inspire, with the presence of eminent speakers, renowned athletes, and top sports officials.
Sports Conclave 2023 is a celebration of the unwavering spirit of sports and its profound impact on society. The event seeks to explore the achievements, challenges, and potential of the sports ecosystem in the region, as well as its wider influence on the nation’s sporting landscape.
The conclave will witness Sporting legends, who have not only brought glory to their states but have also made a mark on the national and international stage. Their inspirational journeys and triumphs will undoubtedly leave an indelible impression on the audience, motivating aspiring athletes to aim for.
Speakers for the evening
Preet Mohinder Banga, Vice President, PCA
Deepak Sharma, CEO, PCA
VRV Singh, Former Cricketer
Harwinder Singh, Former Cricketer
Baljeet Kaur, Mother of Cricketer Arshdeep Singh
Avneet Kaur Sidhu, Olympian Shooter & Arjun Awardee
Naqira Kaur, Actress & Singer
Joginder Sharma, Former Cricketer
The Great Khali, WWE Legend
Amarjit Singh Mehta, President, PCA
The “Sports Conclave 2023” promises to be an evening of insights, inspiration, and celebration of the indomitable spirit of sports.
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.
