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Ceat UTT gets Kellogg’s as powered by sponsor
MUMBAI: Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) season 2 is just around the corner as the dates are clashing with the FIFA World Cup 2018, on 14 June 2018. The 18 day-long tournament will be held in Pune, Delhi and Kolkata. This season, breakfast and cereal brand Kellogg’s has come on board as a sponsor in the ‘powered by’ category. With this new association, the league will be called CEAT UTT Powered by Kellogg’s.
The six-franchise tournament has lined up India’s top stars, including Manika Batra and Sharath Kamal, to play alongside and against some of the finest players in the world. Opening matches will be played in Pune and New Delhi, with the grand finale in Kolkata.
Kellogg’s India chief marketing officer Sumit Mathur said, “It is an honour to be associated with UTT, and we wish that all the athletes reach their full potential and achieve their dreams in the upcoming season.”
“We are delighted to welcome Kellogg’s onboard. Their involvement is a testament to the widening reach and growing popularity of UTT. It will give a huge fillip to the league as well as to the sport of table tennis in the country. We look forward to a fruitful association with Kellogg’s,” said UTT co-owner Vita Dani.
Six franchises will battle it out for the coveted trophy, with Falcons TTC coming in as the defending champions. With the continued support of various stakeholders, the Table Tennis Federation of India & the official league broadcaster, the Star Network, CEAT Ultimate Table Tennis Powered By Kellogg’s Season 2 promises to take the sport to greater heights and newer audiences.
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.
