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MotoGP Bharat launches road to MotoGP with city tours
Mumbai: As a lead up to the to the first ever MotoGP race in India, MotoGP Bharat on Thursday announced “Road to MotoGP” – a multiple city event which would cover leading cities across the country and reach out to biking enthusiasts, biker groups and many more to celebrate the spirit of motorcycling to create awareness about MotoGP. This unique event will also scout for talent and create positive association with young aspiring riders to take up the sport professionally.
FairStreet Sports, the Indian promoters of MotoGP chief operating officer Pushkar Nath Srivastava, expressed his excitement about the nationwide event, stating, “We are thrilled to organise these city tours and spread the popularity of MotoGP™ to various cities across India. This tour is a celebration of our country’s vibrant biking culture and a testament to our commitment to promoting motorsports across the country. We look forward to welcoming biking enthusiasts from all walks of life and create an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.”
The ‘Hyderabad Chapter’ scheduled for July 16 is expected to attract 500 over bikers to participate in a controlled ride starting from Dhruva College of Fashion Technology HiTech city, riding in a loop of approximately 30 KM, and returning to the start point. This event, much like other MotoGP Bharat events, aims to propagate its philosophy of “Roads are for riding” and “Tracks are for racing” and encourage young and aspirational riders to become aware of this global IP and forge a strong sense of camaraderie with the biking fraternity.
The Hyderabad event would be followed by a series of events to be hosted across 24 cities, including Bangalore, Jaipur, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Kashmir, and Guwahati, spreading the MotoGP™ fervour across the country and eventually culminate with a grand finale ride at the Buddh International Circuit on September 22-24, 2023, the race weekend.
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.
