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All tyred up BKT rolls into Women’s T20 with a full league sweep
MUMBAI: When women’s cricket hits top gear, Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT) is making sure the wheels are firmly in place. The global off-highway tyre major has announced its association as the Official Tyre Partner for all five teams competing in India’s premier women’s T20 championship in the upcoming season.
The partnership covers Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, and UP Warriorz, marking one of the most comprehensive brand tie-ups in the women’s T20 ecosystem.
BKT’s move underscores its growing focus on sport as a driver of inclusion and long-term development. Women’s cricket in India has steadily evolved into a professional, performance-driven ecosystem, offering greater visibility and structured opportunities for athletes. By aligning with the women’s T20 format across teams, BKT is positioning itself as a supporter of this momentum rather than a single-team sponsor.
BKT joint managing director Rajiv Poddar said the association builds on the company’s global cricket footprint while reinforcing its commitment to equality and high-performance platforms. According to him, women’s cricket reflects the values of resilience, teamwork and discipline that resonate strongly with the brand’s sporting philosophy.
Team officials echoed the sentiment, highlighting the commercial and cultural significance of the partnership. Representatives from Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, UP Warriorz and Mumbai Indians described the association as a natural fit, citing BKT’s long-standing presence across global sports and its expanding role in women’s cricket.
The women’s T20 partnerships also add another layer to BKT’s already extensive sports portfolio, which spans cricket, football, basketball and motorsport across markets. In cricket alone, the company recently served as naming partner for India’s ODI and T20 tour of Australia under Cricket Australia, strengthening its visibility across marquee properties.
With all five teams now under one umbrella, BKT’s league-wide presence signals a shift from logo-led sponsorships to ecosystem-level engagement, a strategy that mirrors the rapid rise and growing credibility of women’s cricket in India.
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.
