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The 19th National Speed & Figure Skating Championships to commence on 14 August
Mumbai: The 19th National Speed & Figure Skating Championships, India’s most anticipated ice-skating event, will commence on 14 August 2024, at ISKATE by Roseate, located in the Ambience Mall of the Millennium City. Hosted under the aegis of the Ice-Skating Association of India (ISAI), the 19th edition of the championship, will bring together top-tier athletes from across the country for a mesmerising showdown on ice.
This year’s championship will see participation from 12 states and union territories, including Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Ladakh UT, and J&K UT.
Besides notable skaters like Priyam Tated, Harshita Rawtani, Jatin Sherawat and Tara Prasad, Indian-American figure skating legend Ami Parekh, will add international flair to the event.
The 19th edition of the National Speed & Figure Skating Championships will follow a well-structured format that includes both speed skating and figure skating categories across multiple age groups. Athletes will compete in the following categories:
. Figure skating: Under eight, under 11, under 13, under 15, under 17, under 19, above 19.
. Speed skating: six to eight years, 8-11 years, 11-13 years
Prior to the championship, a National Speed & Figure Skating camp was held from 8 to 13 August 2024, aimed at fine-tuning the athletes’ skills and ensuring they are in peak condition for the competition. The championship itself will take place on 4, 16 and 17 August 12024. The competition will be overseen by six judges from the International Skating Union (ISU).
The finals are slated for 17 August 2024, and will be graced by Yogeshwar Dutt, Indian freestyle wrestler and 2012 Summer Olympics Bronze medalist. Also present will be Harmanpreet Singh, captain of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team and twice Olympic bronze medalist.
All participants will receive certificates, with gold, silver, and bronze medals for the winner, first runners-up, and the second-runners-up respectively.
The 18th National Speed & Figure Skating Championships saw remarkable performances, with Tara Prasad (Tamil Nadu) and Vyshnav Nair (Telangana) excelling in Figure Skating, and Sumit Tapkir and Swarali Ashutosh Deo (both from Maharashtra) dominating in Short Track Speed Skating. Haryana led in overall awards, followed by Telangana.
As the 19th National Speed & Figure Skating Championships draws near, excitement builds for what promises to be a convergence of both emerging and established Indian ice-skating talent.
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.
