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Big FM onboards as official radio partners of Rajasthan Royals
New Delhi: It's that time of the year again, which cricket fans have been waiting for with bated breath. The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is here and the excitement is palpable. Radio channel Big FM has partnered with the IPL team Rajasthan Royals for the second consecutive year as its official radio partner.
The second wave of Covid2019 cases continues to pose a challenge and once again, all the matches will be played in empty stadiums, with no enthusiastic fans to cheer their favourite teams. Big FM has announced that it intends to broadcast the stadium experience and ensure that fans can enjoy the revelry from the comforts of their home.
As a part of the association, Big FM will become Radio Stadium for an hour every day, serving exclusive trivia, conducting exciting contests and quizzes, and hosting an expert panel that will speak on the team and players, and give royal updates on pre or post matches of the Rajasthan Royals team.
The radio network will also give a chance to their listeners to come up with a ‘royal chant’ for team RR. Listeners will be asked to describe each Rajasthan Royal player in a word. Shortlisting 11 words that best describe each player, Big FM will compose a royal chant using them as core lyrics. The chant will be played on the radio network during each match of the team.
Big FM country head product – marketing & THWINK BIG Sunil Kumaran said, “This year, the celebrations are a little different, with fans gearing up to enjoy the matches from their homes. However, we don't want them to miss out on the frenzy, and hence through our campaign, we are presenting a multi-platform immersive and engaging experience that will take the excitement and the entertainment quotient a notch higher.”
The association will allow fans to know more about their favourite RR team players, inside trivia, anecdotes, and fun stories with the Royal Camp, through smart speakers and Android phones. Players will be asked to share stories about teammates, which will be available on the smart assistant in an exclusive format. Big FM will also curate special playlists for some of the top players of the team that match their on-field persona. These playlists will be available on music streaming platforms as the Royal Playlist.
Rajasthan Royals COO Jake Lush McCrum said, “Our fans mean everything to us. With no fans in the stadium, we need to find different ways to bring them as close to the action as possible. Through this partnership with Big FM, we are excited to bring our fans the joy, excitement, anticipation, and entertainment of IPL from the comfort of their homes.”
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.
