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Bajaj Auto takes the lead as title sponsor of Pune Grand Tour
PUNE: Bajaj Auto has hopped into the saddle of India’s fast-growing cycling scene, becoming the title sponsor of the Pune Grand Tour, the country’s first UCI 2.2 approved multi-day international road race. The event, created by the Pune district collector with support from the Maharashtra government, places India squarely on the global cycling map.
The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour will roll out from 19 to 23 January 2026 under the guidance of the Cycling Federation of India, the Asian Cycling Confederation and the Union Cycliste Internationale. It brings together one of the world’s most recognisable two and three wheeler makers with a sport racing ahead in popularity.
Bajaj Auto president marketing Sumeet Narang said the partnership reflects the company’s belief in sport as a driver of ambition and innovation. He added that Bajaj has spent 75 years redefining mobility and carrying the Indian name to more than 100 countries. Supporting the Pune Grand Tour, he said, helps showcase Indian talent and the country’s diverse riding terrains to a global audience.
Pune district collector Jitendra Dudi said the Bajaj association brings credibility, commitment and passion to the venture and strengthens the shared vision for sport in Pune, its district and the nation.
The 2026 edition will see continental teams and national federations battle across four stages covering 437 kilometres. Organisers hope the race will give Pune and India a lasting presence in the UCI calendar and encourage more cycling enthusiasts to take to the roads.
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.
