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Indian Badminton League’s second edition to be held in January 2016
MUMBAI: The second edition of the Indian Badminton League is all set to be held from 2 – 17 January, 2016.
In making the announcement, Badminton Association of India president Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta said, “It’s a proud moment for me today as I announce the second edition of the Indian Badminton League and which I can assure you, will be bigger and larger than the first edition. It will an exhilarating 16 days of non-stop badminton as world’s top notch players will fight it out in front of you for the title of IBL 2. Plus, what motivates me is the huge backing that we are receiving from various corporations, sponsors and broadcasters to get associated with the League. I am sure together we will give you another exciting edition of Indian Badminton League. The IBL is here to stay and we will ensure its continuity.”
The press conference to announce the same was attended by Saina Nehwal, K Srikanth, Parupalli Kashyap and PV Sindhu.
The action will kick-start with the opening ceremony and will conclude with the grand finale. While Indian badminton players are engraving their names across the world, the Indian Badminton League will bring together India’s top badminton players along with international players on the same platform wherein they will showcase high-class action.
The conference even witnessed the introduction of Shuttle India – the six city school program to identify young talent at grass root level. The program will be played across various schools and each city will witness matches being played among the young students in both the boys and girls category.
Speaking on the Shuttle India initiative, Dr. Gupta added, “The idea of creating a Badminton League was not only to get international players on the same platform but even create a platform for the young guns at the grassroots level to take the sport as a career and Shuttle India is an initiative towards that goal. With schools participating from across six cities, we are expecting huge participation amongst the students who are already getting formal training of the same at a local level.”
The Indian Badminton League has already announced two franchisees wherein the Delhi franchisee has been taken by Infinite Computer Solutions and Lucknow will be backed by the Sahara Parivar. The rest of the franchisees are in advance talks and the announcement for the same to be made soon.
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.
