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Future Group joins IPL bandwagon as associate sponsor
MUMBAI: Future Group, one of India’s largest retail brands, has come on board as an associate sponsor with Star India for this season of the Indian Premier League, which kicks off on 7th April. Future Group will be an associate sponsor, joining brands such as AMFI, Asian Paints, Dream 11, MakeMyTrip, Parle Products, Polycab and Vimal Pan Masala in the category, taking the tally to 8 brands. The co-presenting sponsors are Vivo, Coca-Cola and Jio.
Future Group CEO-food business Sadashiv Nayak said, “As one of India’s leading retail chains, catering to over 400 million customers a year, we at the Future Group depend upon strong consumer connects to drive our mission to pioneer the consumption-led growth story in India. At Big Bazaar and FBB, we believe in celebrating every tyohar or festival with people of the country and we believe an event like IPL is one of the new age festivals that we celebrate. With our presence in more than 240 cities, we are excited to partner with the Vivo IPL 2018 because it will be presented in 5 regional languages along with English.”
Dream 11 co-founder and CEO Harsh Jain added, “As India’s fastest growing sports-gaming platform, Dream11 has been a leader of the fantasy sports industry in India. We are delighted to come on board for Vivo IPL 2018 because it will provide us great traction with the largest audience from any single event in Indian television history and we look forward to benefitting from the association.”
“Some of the biggest and best brands have signed up with us, which is a testament to their belief that Vivo IPL 2018 will deliver them unparalleled reach and engagement across geographies and demographics throughout the length and breadth of India,” said Star Sports EVP and head of ad sales Anil Jayaraj.
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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.
