MAM
Castrol and bp team up with Mumbai Indians for 2024 cricket league
Mumbai: Castrol, a subsidiary of the bp group and a globally acclaimed lubricant brand, has announced its association with Mumbai Indians (MI) as the ‘official performance partner’ for the upcoming cricketing league, commencing on 22 March 2024.
This association underscores Castrol’s enduring legacy of aligning with some of the world’s most prestigious sporting extravaganzas. Notably, Castrol’s previous partnership with JioCinema for streaming the 2023 TATA Indian Premier League as an associate sponsor underscores its dedication to top-tier sports events.
As Mumbai Indians’ official performance partner, emblems of bp and Castrol will prominently be visible on the lead leg of all player’s official gear throughout the league 2024 season. With a century-long reputation for delivering performance-driven products and services, bp and Castrol’s partnership with Mumbai Indians, a global franchise renowned for its consistent and stellar performances, resonates deeply with the brand’s core values.
Castrol India Ltd VP and head of marketing Rohit Talwar expressed his delight, stating, “We are thrilled to associate with Mumbai Indians, a team synonymous with excellence in the most celebrated cricketing league. With seven championships under their belt, MI epitomizes high performance in cricket. Their relentless pursuit of excellence mirrors Castrol’s commitment to high-performance lubricants. This association underscores our dedication to offering nothing but the best to our customers, and we wholeheartedly support the team in their endeavour for the tournament.”
A spokesperson of Mumbai Indians remarked, “We are thrilled to welcome Castrol and bp join us. Their global market dominance, coupled with our expansive fan base, presents a unique opportunity for them to reach out to a captive fan base through the partnership with MI.”
This association with a storied team marks a significant milestone for Castrol as it embarks on an exciting journey anchored in innovation and technology. With a steadfast belief in the enduring demand for mobility solutions for internal combustion engines and a commitment to introducing cutting-edge products for India’s burgeoning EV segment, Castrol aims to engage with a broader audience and reaffirm their status as the preferred choice for advanced performance lubricants and services.
MAM
Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia deepens philanthropic push in India ahead of retirement
Entrepreneur backs gurdwara project and education for slum children as he expands charitable footprint in the country
LONDON: Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia is ramping up his philanthropic footprint in India. On a recent visit to the country, the UK-based entrepreneur stepped up support for religious and educational causes, signalling a deeper long-term commitment as he prepares to spend more time in India ahead of retirement.
Ahluwalia reaffirmed support for key social initiatives, including a donation to Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Kalgidhar Sahib in Gurugram and continued backing for a school in Faridabad for which he had earlier purchased the land.
The donation will fund the construction of the gurdwara, expected to be completed by mid-2028. Run largely by volunteers, the site will serve as a community hub and continue the Sikh tradition of langar — a community kitchen that provides free meals to all, regardless of faith.
Parallelly, the Faridabad school continues to deliver free, multi-year education to children living in extreme poverty in surrounding slums. The institution is part of the 12 educational facilities run by the Jagriti Sewa Trust, where Ahluwalia serves as chairman. The trust provides underprivileged students with free education as well as skill-development opportunities.
The latest support adds to Ahluwalia’s long record of charitable giving in India. In recent years, it included a £100,000 donation to the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation’s Justice for Every Child campaign, which provides legal and psychological support to vulnerable children and their families.
Through the Ahluwalia Foundation, the businessman regularly backs charities and non-profits in both India and the United Kingdom. The foundation focuses on projects linked to education, migration and the rights of children and women.
Ahluwalia’s philanthropic drive is rooted in personal history. Having fled to the UK as a refugee at the age of 13, he has long supported migrant-focused organisations, including the London-based Migration Museum, while also funding educational initiatives in India such as free schooling programmes in Hyderabad.
Now, as he gradually shifts more of his time to India, Ahluwalia’s charitable ambitions are expanding. Future plans include launching a classic car rally across the country to raise funds for causes he supports.
“Education and faith are very close to my heart,” Ahluwalia said. “For so many Indians, whether they live in India or abroad, a gurdwara or any place of worship is more than somewhere to practise faith. They are places of community and identity.”
Reflecting on the Faridabad visit, Ahluwalia added: “It was very special seeing the work of the Jagriti Sewa Trust firsthand. Knowing that disadvantaged children are receiving a free education — and that I had a small part to play in that — is deeply meaningful. Social status and economic background should not determine a person’s chances of success.”
