News Headline
Bengaluru Open announces three year partnership with DafaNews
Mumbai: Bengaluru Open, India’s ATP Challenger tennis event, has onboarded leading sports news and analysis portal DafaNews as its title sponsor for the next three years. The sponsorship deal will be effective from the upcoming 2023 edition of the tournament which will be commencing from February 20.
The Bengaluru Open, organised by the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA), has been providing fans and players with tennis experiences since 2015 and this association will see DafaNews promote the progress of the sport in the city as well as across the country.
“We are delighted to welcome DafaNews as title sponsor for the Bengaluru Open. Their commitment as well as presence within the sports community will strengthen our vision of nurturing the sport’s ecosystem within the country. Built on a strong foundation of belief and shared vision for the development of Indian tennis, we look forward to this long and successful association that will enhance the level of this prestigious tournament,” said Sunil Yajaman, Tournament Director of Bengaluru Open.
While DafaNews presents sports enthusiasts with news, updates and analysis across all major sports, it has also played a major part in India’s sporting canvas by associating with a number of major teams and leagues. As part of this sponsorship, the news portal will see a prominent presence at the tournament through various branding collaterals.
“Partnering with Bengaluru Open is an amazing opportunity. We’ve been showing our support for the growth of tennis in India and this is another step in doing so. We are really happy that this opportunity was given to us and we couldn’t be more happy to have the chance to sponsor an ATP event once again,” said DafaNews Manager Joao Coimbra Tavares.
The tournament has attracted stars of the tennis world since its inception and this year’s edition will be no different with the former World No. 10 Lucas Pouille and last year’s champion Chun-hsin Tseng set to compete for the coveted title.
The Bengaluru Open will take place at the KSLTA Stadium with the qualifiers scheduled from 19 February to 20 February while the main draw will be conducted from 20 February to February 26.
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.
