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Aircel Chennai Open trophy travels 350 kms, touches 4500 fans in Chennai
MUMBAI: The 2015 edition of the Aircel Chennai Open will mark two decades since the very first game of India’s premier and South Asia’s only ATP world tour stop was played. To commemorate the tournament’s fantastic achievements, students from 12 schools and 14 colleges got an opportunity to celebrate their very own World Tour event and catch a glimpse of the 2015 Aircel Trophy during a tour spanning over two weeks in Chennai.
The 20th year celebrations of India’s only ATP World Tour stop include a host of exciting activities sure to thrill tennis fans who are waiting to enjoy scintillating tennis action at Chennai’s SDAT Tennis Stadium between 5-11 January.
Initiatives include a renovated SDAT Stadium, the launch of a special logo created to mark the occasion, free passes to school students from Government schools to watch matches for the first four days, and a host of ongoing activities across India.
The exclusive trophy tour visited Chennai’s most prominent landmarks including 12 schools, 14 colleges, six IT parks, five public parks and locations and three tennis academies over a course of two weeks.
Some of the iconic locations covered during the ACO trophy tour were Loyola College, MOP College for Women, Ethiraj College, Ascendas IT Park, YMCA Nandanam, Padma Sarangani School, EGA Theatre, Marina Beach, TIDEL Park and CTS (Cognizant).
This ACO trophy is an amalgamation of classic and contemporary stylizations. Much like the sport it represents, with traditional values in an ever changing modern world. The bands of intricate hand detailed motifs, the sweeping elegant contours and the touch of rich 24k gold gilt are all symbolic of excellence. This trophy is designed, handcrafted and hallmarked for Aircel exclusively by Frazer and Haws.
While fans young and old grabbed the fantastic chance to witness the premier ATP tennis symbol in their own neighborhood and take pictures with it, the tour also offered people a chance to participate in exciting quiz sessions and an Aircel fastest serve challenge to win loads of prizes that included about 400 tickets and 750 special tennis balls.
The Aircel fastest serve challenge was organised at Phoenix Market City, Chennai on 20, 21, 27 and 28 December. In fastest serve challenge people could try swinging the racket to clock ball speeds touching 80 kmph, and win tickets.
Youngsters thronged the serving booth in a desperate attempt to get one of three chances right to clinch the announced prize. The tennis fans and enthusiasts will also get the opportunity to participate in the Aircel fastest serve challenge at the stadium for all four days.
The title sponsor for the tournament is Aircel and the event is supported by a consortium of sponsors in the Platinum category, headed by the Government of Tamil Nadu.
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.
