News Headline
Indian Racing Festival announces Arjun Kapoor as Speed Demons Delhi owner
Mumbai: The Indian Racing Festival, a premier event in the motorsport calendar of India, is gearing up for its highly anticipated 2024 season with a thrilling addition of Bollywood luminary, Arjun Kapoor. This collaboration marks Arjun’s entry into the motorsport arena as the proud owner of the Delhi franchise, Speed Demons Delhi, under a multi-year agreement.
Building on the momentum from the recent unveiling of the Kolkata team by India’s most celebrated captain, Sourav Ganguly, the festival is now set to welcome Arjun Kapoor as the owner of the Delhi team. With Arjun Kapoor’s significant interest, the league now boasts two celebrity-owned franchises. This significant stride in its expansion strategy underscores Arjun Kapoor’s passion for racing and promises to elevate the excitement and glamour surrounding the upcoming season of the Indian Racing Festival.
Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd presents the exhilarating Indian Racing Festival (IRF), at the heart of which there are two prestigious championships: the Indian Racing League (IRL) and the FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC). The Indian Racing Festival will also be hosting the first ever night race in a street circuit in Chennai’s Street Racing Circuit as a part of round two, from 31 August to 1 September.
Arjun Kapoor, renowned as a true motorhead and has a huge fascination with cars, has invested in the team of Speed Demons and will play a major role in promoting motor racing in Delhi and NCR region.
With Arjun Kapoor’s presence the Speed Demons Delhi franchise in the Indian Racing Festival is poised to make a significant impact. Arjun Kapoor’s personal passion for motorsports not only aligns perfectly with our objective but also serves as a powerful catalyst to enhance it. His involvement will authentically resonate with enthusiasts, bringing a fresh wave of excitement and engagement to the sport and helping us captivate and inspire a growing community of motorsport aficionados nationwide,” remarked RPPL chairman and MD Akhilesh Reddy.
The festival features eight dynamic city-based teams from Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Goa, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata. From August to November this year, these teams will engage in intense competition, vying for racing glory and the coveted title of champions. The IRF promises adrenaline-fueled action and showcases the finest talents in Indian motorsport, making it a must-watch motorsports event for enthusiasts nationwide.
Arjun Kapoor’s collaboration with the Indian Racing Festival (IRF) is poised to draw in a diverse audience, including Bollywood Celebrities and those from the hinterland. His association brings a dynamic appeal to the festival, making it more engaging and accessible for millennials, Gen Z, and beyond. This partnership not only aims to broaden the festival’s reach but also to cultivate a fresh and diverse fan base among emerging demographics, thereby cultivating a broader and more inclusive fan base.
Arjun Kapoor, owner of the Delhi team at the Indian Racing Festival, shared his excitement: “Ever since I was a young kid I’ve always been interested in cars and motorsports, and Delhi’s love for racing is clear. The Indian Racing Festival, along with our Delhi team, is a great opportunity for young racers and fans. I believe we can discover and support talent that could represent India internationally, making motorsports more popular here.”
Arjun Kapoor also urged fans to come and watch the races in large numbers and cheer and support the drivers.
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.
