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Pocket FM dives into kabaddi mat with Patna Pirates partnership
MUMBAI: When stories meet the mat, sparks fly louder than a referee’s whistle. Pocket FM, the world’s largest audio series platform, has inked a strategic partnership with kabaddi heavyweights Patna Pirates for Pro Kabaddi League 2025, signing on as the team’s official entertainment partner.
The Pirates, three-time PKL champions, embody grit, passion and resilience qualities Pocket FM says mirror its own storytelling ethos. The tie-up will see the platform bring fans closer to their heroes with meet-and-greets, on-ground activations and digital campaigns featuring star players, adding drama beyond the do-or-die raids.
“Kabaddi, much like our audio tales, is full of drama and emotion,” said Pocket FM SVP and head of brand marketing communications and partnerships Vineet Singh. “Through this collaboration, we aim to celebrate both the game and the stories while building stronger connections with fans across the country.”
Patna Pirates COO Pawan Rana added, “Our fans are at the heart of everything we do, and this partnership with Pocket FM opens up new ways to engage and excite them. Just as we fight with passion on the mat, Pocket FM will take that journey beyond the game.”
For Pocket FM, this is not the first foray into the sports arena. The platform has previously partnered with Jaipur Patriots in Ultimate Table Tennis and with The World of Battle BGMI. But with kabaddi’s soaring popularity and PKL’s Season 12 kicking off this August, its alliance with the Pirates could prove to be its biggest sporting raid yet.
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.
