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Bajaj serves up a winning shot with Chennai Open platinum play
MUMBAI: India’s court of dreams just got a new sponsor and a serious shot of power. The Bajaj Group, one of the country’s oldest and most trusted business houses, has aced its way into the tennis world as the Platinum Sponsor of the Chennai Open 2025, strengthening India’s serve in the global game.
But this isn’t just about logos on courts and banners in stadiums. Bajaj has also teamed up with the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) to back its ambitious player development programme, aptly titled ‘The Next Level, ’a long-term initiative aimed at spotting, training and elevating India’s next generation of tennis stars.
As part of the collaboration, Bajaj will initially support four young women players, offering them the training, mentorship and exposure needed to turn potential into podium finishes. Over the coming years, the partnership will evolve into a broader pathway to nurture top tennis talent across India, ensuring they get access to the right infrastructure, coaching and international experience.
For Bajaj Finserv chairman and managing director Sanjiv Bajaj, this partnership is about more than sport. “Tennis is more than a sport for us. It reflects the Bajaj spirit of fairness, agility and resilience,” he said. “Our sponsorship of the Chennai Open 2025 brings the excitement of world-class tennis to passionate fans and deepens our connect with them. Together with TNTA, we are enabling budding talent to find the right mentorship and opportunity they need to ace the global stage.”
TNTA president Vijay Amritraj one of India’s most celebrated tennis icons, echoed the sentiment. “We are delighted to welcome Bajaj as a Platinum Sponsor for the Chennai Open 2025,” he said. “With Bajaj’s support, The Next Level becomes a transformative platform. We look forward to seeing our young players evolve into tennis stars on the international circuit.”
Over the next three years, Bajaj’s backing will cover everything from coaching and training camps to equipment and travel, removing barriers that often halt young talent before they hit their stride. The TNTA will handpick the top 10 promising players for intensive development under the programme.
This move is part of Bajaj’s broader mission to empower India’s youth be it through education, employment, entrepreneurship, or now, sport. By investing in the next generation of players, the group isn’t just funding athletes; it’s fuelling ambition and creating role models who can inspire millions.
With this ace partnership, Bajaj isn’t just making a statement, it’s changing the game. From powering engines to empowering athletes, the brand’s next rally is clearly about driving India’s tennis dreams to The Next Lev
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.
