News Headline
Bezzecchi makes history by winning the inaugural IndianOil Grand Prix in India
Mumbai: Marco Bezzecchi became the first MotoGP rider to win the inaugural IndianOil Grand Prix of India riding the Mooney VR46 Racing Team to the top of the podium at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida on Sunday.
And what a win it was. When the race began, Jorge Martin of Prima Pramac raced off into the lead at the cautious turn one. Francesco Bagnaia, the championship leader, also left Bezzecchi in third place.
Bezzecchi, however, regained his top spot. First, he overtook Bagnaia to claim second place and then raced into the lead when an error at turn four sent Martin wide.
Thereafter, Bezzecchi left the pack way behind to fight for the remaining two places on the podium. Bezzecchi was completely unaware of the drama that unfolded behind him. He eventually took the chequered flag eight seconds before the pack.
Bezzecchi loved everything about India. The track and the fans. Commenting on the fans he said, “I really liked this place the day I landed. I like to celebrate with the fans, I would like to give my heart to the fans. In this part of the world, they are very loud, and I really like to hear the crowd. They enjoyed it, of course, and next year they will have even more fun. So, for me it was fantastic.”
As much as the fans, he was impressed with the track that gave him his second win of the season. “It’s a track that I liked the first time I rode on it. Overall it has been good for me. There was some hard braking, but also some fast parts and chicanes. Physically I felt better with the head, so a change of direction was not a problem like it was in Mizano. Sector three was really fantastic to ride,” he added.
The fight for second place was filled with drama, action, tragedy, and suspense and then ended with a nail-biting climax.
It started first between Bagnaia and Martin. The battle between the two lasted for about 13 laps before Bagnaia, leading over Martin in the second spot, crashed out at turn four, his third of the season.
Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo suddenly moved to third place giving him hope for a better podium finish. The two riders were engaged in a nail-biting duel in the final lap when Martin once again rode wide at turn four, putting Quartararo into the second spot for a moment before Martin snatched back his position two corners later. Martin, looking tired and distressed ended the race on the second step of the podium.
KTM’s Brad Binder finished fourth and Repsol Hondo’s Joan Mir fifth. Eight-time world champion Marc Marquez who was gunning behind Bagnaia and Martin in the fourth, before he ran wide, finished ninth.
Acosta extends championship lead
A multi-rider pile-up on Turn 1 led to the restart of the 12-lap Moto2 race after it was red-flagged. That, however, did not stop Pedro Acosta from claiming the title and extending his championship lead.
Acosta raced off to a quick start and maintained approximately 3.5 seconds lead throughout the race for his top podium finish. Riding Marc VDS, his closest rival Tony Arbolino, took the second spot.
There was a toe-to-toe battle for third place between American Joe Roberts on his Italtrans Racing and Pons Wegow’s Sergio Garcia. However, the Spaniard ran wide into the chicane on the penultimate corner in the final lap to hand over the third spot on the podium to the American rider.
Masia scores a massive win
Jaume Masia of Leopard Honda won the Moto3 title without any kind of threat from the pack behind him. Ayumu Sasaki’s Intact GP Husqvarna held on tightly to his second place for most part of the race but gave away the position to Kaito Toba of SIC58 Honda in the closing stages. Sasaki had to settle for third place.
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.
