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Honda Racing India revs up for ARRC 2025 with two teen riders and big podium dreams
MUMBAI: The tarmac’s heating up in Thailand and so is India’s motorsport ambition. Idemitsu Honda Racing India has touched down at the Chang International Circuit for the season opener of the 2025 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC), scheduled from 25-27 April.
With two teenage riders in the saddle and high hopes in the pit lane, Honda’s move signals more than just another racing season—it’s a full-throttle statement on India’s growing presence in international motorsport.
Representing Honda India in the Asia Production 250cc (AP250) class are 19-year-old Kavin Samaar Quintal and 18-year-old Johann Reeves Emmanuel. Kavin returns with ARRC experience under his helmet, while Johann makes his championship debut after cutting his teeth in the Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup and the 2024 Thailand Talent Cup.
“Having raced in the previous season of the ARRC, I have gained invaluable experience and insights into what it takes to compete at this level. In 2025, I am determined to take all my learnings, sharpen my skills further, and aim for a strong finish in the top 10 rankings,” said Quintal.
Emmanuel added, “Being a part of the 2025 ARRC is a huge opportunity for me… I will give it my all to secure a place in the top 10 rankings, and I am truly grateful to Honda Racing India for believing in me.”
The ARRC calendar spans six rounds this season, with stops in Malaysia (30 May–1 June), Japan (July), Indonesia (August), and a December finale back in Thailand. One round’s venue remains under wraps.
Honda’s broader vision is clear: nurture Indian racers for the global stage while flexing its engineering muscle across Asia’s toughest tracks. The strategy blends talent development with brand ambition—bolstering the ‘Make in India’ mission while pushing Indian motorsport beyond the domestic grid.
With two determined teens, a fine-tuned fleet, and an open throttle, Honda Racing India is chasing speed, success, and a shot at the podium.
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.
