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JSW Indian Open serves up a smash as India’s first PSA Copper event
MUMBAI: Squash fever is set to grip Mumbai as JSW Sports announces the JSW Indian Open, India’s first PSA Squash Copper event, scheduled to take place from 24-28 March at Bombay Gymkhana. This landmark event will bring together India’s top squash players, including Ramit Tandon, Velavan Senthilkumar, Veer Chotrani, Anahat Singh, and Akanksha Salunkhe, alongside global talent from Egypt, Canada, Malaysia, and Japan.
With squash making its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, JSW Sports is making a bold statement with this tournament. Parth Jindal, Founder, JSW Sports, highlighted the event’s significance:
Speaking on the tournament JSW Sports founder Parth Jindal said, “With squash set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, now is as good a time as any to give the sport the fillip it needs. The JSW Indian Open is a statement of intent from Indian squash, and we are excited to give some of the best Indian and global talent a platform through this tournament.”
India No.1 Ramit Tandon, who is also represented by JSW Sports, said, “It’s always special to compete at home, and having a PSA event like the JSW Indian Open in India is a huge boost for the sport. The level of competition is right up there, and it’s a great opportunity for Indian players to test themselves against the best. With squash making its Olympic debut at LA28, events like these are crucial in building momentum and inspiring the next generation.”
PSA CEO Alex Gough welcomed the return of a PSA tournament to India, calling it a significant step for the sport’s growth. “Hosting world-class events on home soil not only helps Indian players compete at the highest level but also strengthens the squash ecosystem,” he said. He also emphasized the role of such tournaments in expanding the sport’s reach. “By bringing elite competitions to India, we are creating a pathway for young players to develop, grow the fan base, and ensure the sport continues to thrive.”
India’s women number 2, Anahat Singh also shared her excitement about the tournament, saying, “Bringing a top-tier PSA event to India is a game-changer for players and fans alike. Competing against top international players pushes us to be better, and it’s an amazing opportunity to grow. With squash making its Olympic debut at LA28, events like these are key to building excitement and inspiring young players to dream big.”
With a prize purse of 40,000 dollars the JSW Indian Open marks the return of a major squash tournament to India after a six-year hiatus, the last being the CCI International in 2018. The competition will unfold across Bombay Gymkhana’s indoor courts, with the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final set to be played on a full-glass outdoor court, offering fans a thrilling spectacle. As the countdown begins, Mumbai is set to witness a squash showdown like never before, with India stepping up to the global stage in style.
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.
