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IPL 2021: New promo features Captain Cool in monk avatar
MUMBAI: The Indian Premier League's official broadcaster Star Sports is leaving no stone unturned to build hype with the tournament's fourteenth edition right around the corner. It has rolled out a new promotional campaign titled #IndiaKaApnaMantra which talks about saluting the new Indian spirit that is eager to innovate and rewrite the rulebook.
The latest promo sees former India captain and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni in a brand new avatar, donning the robes of a monk. In the film, Dhoni sports a bald look and is seen explaining to his young disciples that greed is not a bad thing so long as it ensures victory and continued success. In the backdrop, a montage of Mumbai Indian (MI) captain Rohit Sharma holding the IPL 2020 Title appears while Dhoni doles out the gyaan. He recounts how even after lifting the IPL trophy five times with Mumbai Indians, ‘the Hitman’ (aka Rohit Sharma) still hungers to add the IPL 2021 trophy to his kitty.
This, of course, is a reference to MI having won the IPL five times, while CSK has emerged champions on three occasions.
In another promo released earlier, Captain Cool Dhoni portrays the leader of an NCC cadets group where he gives lessons on how anger can be converted into a tool for success, narrating the fable of a ‘Virat khiladi’ who won the title of King by vanquishing big teams by means of his anger.
IPL 2021 is all set to kickstart on 9 April when defending champions Mumbai Indians will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the tournament opener.
For the fourteenth edition of the IPL, Star Sports has roped in two new brand partners – Kamla Pasand and Frooti as associate sponsors. They will join the ranks of Bingo, and Mutual Funds- Sahi Hai, the existing associate sponsors. Vivo is the title sponsor and Dream11, PhonePe, Byju’s, and Just Dial are the co-presenting sponsors this year. The names of these eight sponsors were released by Star along with the promotional campaign launched on Sunday.
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.
