News Headline
Pro Kabaddi League concludes auction for season six
MUMBAI: Vivo Pro Kabaddi League successfully concluded the player auction in Mumbai. Day two was dominated by players and category-B stars, with franchises finding the perfect balance between experienced and young players to craft winning teams.
The first day of the auction saw the Rs 1 crore barrier breached six times with Monu Goyat leading the way to Vivo Pro Kabaddi history.
The top five players of the second day’s auction are Prashant Kumar Rai, sold for Rs 79 lakh to UP Yoddha, followed by Chandran Ranjit to Dabang Delhi for Rs 61.25 lakh. The third player in the list is Vikash Khandola bought by Haryana Steelers for Rs 47 lakh while Dharamraj Cheralathan went to UMumba for Rs 46 lakh. Vishal Mane will play for Dabang Delhi and earned Rs 45 lakh.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Bengal Warriors CEO Sandip Tarkas says that the team has managed to fill all the gaps which it had in the previous season and has also retained its strength. “We have retained some of our last year brands like Big Bazaar and Tasty Treats. We broke-even last season itself and covered all our cost. Coming season we are expecting higher expenses with the festive season starting at the time of season six. We are looking at 20-25 per cent increase in sponsorship this year.”
Tamil Thalaivas CEO Viren D’Silva told Indiantelevision.com that its aim is consistency. “We are focusing on getting three strategic partners for a long term. We have started a residential academy for 70 students with free education, training and housing. We are not looking at this business as a break-even business, our objective is very clear, building the human kabaddi association. Money and profitability are the bi-products. Profitability is not far away. We have aggressive targets on revenue.”
Puneri Paltans boosted its raiding unit this year by buying Nitin Tomar. “We already have Force Motors as our title sponsor and the deal will continue till season seven of PKL. Our inventory apart from title sponsor is available currently which are almost nine spots. This season is going to be the break-even year for the franchise. We are in advance talks with some of the last year’s brands and will mostly close the deal with them,” said Puneri Paltans CEO Kailash Kandpal while speaking to us.
A total of 181 players were sold in the two days auction process.
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.
