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Amid brickbats, Rajasthan Royals & Delhi Capitals extend help in fight against Covid
MUMBAI: The fourteenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), taking place amid a raging pandemic, has been met with severe criticism from several quarters for being “tone deaf’ to the situation in the country. With the tournament now progressing into its second leg, matches are being staged in Ahmedabad and Delhi, where the prevailing Covid2019 crisis is at its peak right now.
Many global observers have also censured the cash-rich league, stating that “the country’s sole focus” should be on subduing the virus and not on a game of cricket. On the other hand, there are voices which feel that perhaps the game offers some respite to a nation ravaged by the second wave of the viral onslaught.
While opinions continue to differ on whether it is appropriate to conduct the matches at such a time, IPL franchises Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) have stepped forward to do their bit by aiding Covid relief efforts.
RR has announced a contribution of Rs 7.5 crores to help India fight the second wave of Covid2019 while DC has pledged Rs 1.5 crore to the national capital in Covid aid. Both teams took to social media to share the news.
Rajasthan Royals announce a contribution of over $1 milion from their owners, players and management to help with immediate support to those impacted by COVID-19. This will be implemented through @RoyalRajasthanF and @britishasiantst.
Complete details #RoyalsFamily
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 29, 2021
The owners and team management of RR have pooled this amount to support the people impacted by the massive surge in cases.
“Players along with the team owners and team management have come forward to raise funds and have been working along with the Rajasthan Royals’ philanthropic arm Royal Rajasthan Foundation (RRF) in partnership with the British Asian Trust (BAT),” said the official statement on the team’s webpage.
“BAT works closely with the Indian government on many initiatives – especially in the area of skills and education. The Trust’s founder, Prince Charles, launched an emergency “Oxygen for India” appeal, which is currently focused on acquisition and distribution of oxygen concentrators, devices that can provide the enriched gas straight from the air, to treat patients when hospital supplies are under strain,” it detailed.
Also, “The funds raised by Rajasthan Royals will help pan India, with an initial focus on the state of Rajasthan, where the RRF, chaired by Ranjit Barthakur, has numerous initiatives it continues to support.”
It added further that “Having the team owners and its players come together has enabled this initiative to reach the scale it has, providing aid to tackle the current crisis and help people get the single most pressing necessity at this time – oxygen.”
Meanwhile, the Delhi Capitals have donated monetary aid to non-profits in support of the city’s fight against the Covid crisis. The team stated that the amount will be used to procure essential medical supplies, ranging from oxygen cylinders and concentrators to Covid wellness kits.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Delhi Capitals and its patrons, the @JSWFoundation & GMR Varalakshmi Foundation are offering financial support amounting to INR 1.5 Cr to NCR based NGOs, the @Hemkunt_Fdn and the @UdayFoundation. #DilDikhaDilli #YehHaiNayiDilli @DelhiAirport pic.twitter.com/5brZ3o2NnP
— Delhi Capitals (Stay Home. Wear Double Masks) (@DelhiCapitals) April 29, 2021
“Together, the franchise and its patrons, the JSW Foundation & GMR Varalakshmi Foundation are offering financial support amounting to Rs 1.5 crore to NCR based NGOs the Hemkunt Foundation and the Uday Foundation,” the IPL franchise said in a statement.
“In this hour of crisis, DC stands in solidarity with the citizens of Delhi, whose efforts to selflessly help each other in the fight against Covid2019 have been inspiring. We are honoured to extend our support,” said Delhi Capitals interim CEO Vinod Bisht.
The capital city has been one of the worst affected in the country in the second wave of infections. Many hospitals have also been struggling to maintain adequate stock of medical oxygen. As hospitals across the country grapple with an influx of critically ill Covid2019 patients, the demand for medical oxygen has increased by 67 per cent in the last nine days, according to the ministry of health and family welfare.
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.
