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India gears up for National Poker Series 2023
Mumbai: India’s poker tournament, National Poker Series India (NPS) hosted on PokerBaazi has announced its 2023 edition with its latest campaign, ‘Ab India Khelega Glory Ke Liye’.
This year’s edition will award gold, silver and bronze medals to podium finishers in a total of 107 tournaments and three NPS podium medals for the finishers with the highest medal tallies who will be crowned the NPS India 2023 champions. The tournaments will also award prize money of INR 25 Crore and begin on 29 March, however, players can already register for them on the PokerBaazi app and also play practice tournaments.
The full schedule is available on the website – https://nationalpokerseries.in/
The campaign will build awareness and get active participation in the National Poker Series 2023. The communication taps into the cultural insight that sportsmen and athletes strive to be recognized as the best in their respective sports, and how that hard work and perseverance brings glory and success. The same holds true for poker players who win both gold & glory as National Poker Series champions with their skills and grit.
The new campaign features a series of two films that highlight the pride and glory that comes with winning the National Poker Series. The campaign aims to inspire and motivate players, both men and women to strive for greatness in the game and to establish poker as a sport that demands the highest levels of skill and strategy. The creative storytelling, music and elements of surprise give registering for the tournament a ‘pull factor.’ With this campaign, the aim is to make the National Poker Series a success and inspire players to join and be a part of this ultimate game of glory. By using a simple cinematic device, the ads were able to create visually engaging films, portraying the transformation in their life.
Here are the links of the films:
The series has had more than 180K entries and 450+ medals, across 150 events over the past two years.
On the announcement, Baazi Games founder & CEO Navkiran Singh said, “We, at PokerBaazi, are honoured to host the National Poker Series India once again. The two editions’ record-breaking entries across demographics and regions were a testament to establishing the NPS legacy. We see NPS India as the true podium of glory for the sport of Poker in India and are excited to celebrate the champions in the making.”
The general perception of poker is that it is just a game. Whereas globally it is considered to be a sport which involves an immense amount of skill to play and the ones with the right skills can achieve ultimate glory. National Poker Series as a platform is providing this opportunity to poker players in India.
“We wanted to talk to poker enthusiasts and new poker players alike and give them a clear sense that poker, more than just entertainment, can also be life-changing if you play it right. And National Poker Series hosted on PokerBaazi is your opportunity to experience that. A simple yet interesting creative device of life-changing in an instant for a youngster, landing him/her in the spotlight helped us capture this thought in a short duration”, said DDB Mudra South creative head Nitin Pradhan.
The 360° Campaign is launched across multiple platforms, including Television, OTT, digital platforms, outdoors and social media. The campaign is expected to reach a diverse set of audience of poker players and enthusiasts and establish the National Poker Series as the go-to tournament for players who seek both gold and glory.
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.
