News Headline
Deepak Chahar turns entrepreneur; enters the gaming ecosystem with fantasy platform TFG
Mumbai: Indian international cricketer Deepak Chahar is entering the gaming space with fantasy game platform TFG (Trade Fantasy Game). The venture marks his debut in the entrepreneurial space as the co-founder along with wife Jaya Chahar who will serve as JCDC Sports CEO. Chahar, who will also play the role of the brand ambassador, will look to connect and engage with his fan base of over five million users across platforms.
JCDC Sports is a sports technology company established in March 2022 and is headquartered in Delhi. The company aims to reach one million users by FY24 and introduce two new features in the next two quarters to increase reach and engagement leading to larger user acquisitions.
Chahar said, “This is thrilling and I am looking forward to this new venture as an entrepreneur. TFG will allow me to reach my fans in a whole new way. I hope to leverage my knowledge of cricket and harness technology to reach out to millions while connecting and engaging with them and adding value to the sport and the cricketing ecosystem as well.”
Jaya Chahar said, “The gaming industry has been witnessing fast paced growth and seeing a rise in gamers daily. Being from the cricketing community, this venture was the best way to extend ourselves by entering the cricket fantasy space and taking the sport from the field to the gaming arena.”
Unlike other fantasy sports games, TFG will reward not only the user’s skillset but also the user’s loyalty and their frequent participation, i.e. both player performance and user participation will play a significant role in increasing the user’s digital collectibles. The game will engage users with features like wildcards, fantasy clashes, trading of cards, venue statistics, etc., which will enrich their journey on the platform towards absolute rewards and ownership of player cards with a long term vision to be the most engaging and entertaining platform for all sports viewers in India.
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.
