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Lava Turns Up the Heat on Hockey Turf with Proudly Indian Power Play
MUMBAI: India didn’t just score on the hockey field, it scored on the innovation pitch too. Lava International limited, one of India’s fastest-growing homegrown smartphone makers, has added fresh firepower to its #ProudlyIndian ethos by sponsoring the 61st SNBP Nehru Senior Hockey Tournament, backing a legacy sporting platform that mirrors the brand’s values of discipline, passion and national pride.
The week-long tournament brought together some of India’s finest hockey teams, culminating in a nail-biting finale where Railways edged out The Navy 3–2, sealing the championship with grit, precision and relentless teamwork. The tournament’s competitive intensity found a fitting ally in a brand that has been quietly rewriting India’s smartphone narrative for over 16 years.
In a gesture that fused sport with spirit, Lava gifted five units of its AGNI 4, its latest performance-focused smartphone to the winning Railways squad. Designed and manufactured entirely in India, the AGNI 4 isn’t just a device, it’s Lava’s way of cheering on achievers who push boundaries, whether on the turf or in daily life.
Launched as part of Lava’s 2025 expansion wave, the AGNI 4 sits alongside the Bold N1 5G, Blaze AMOLED 2, and the gaming-oriented Play Ultra, all showcasing the brand’s commitment to clean software, dependable performance and a steadfast refusal to compromise on a bloatware-free Android experience.
Lava’s association with the SNBP Nehru Senior Hockey Tournament isn’t a branding detour, it’s a natural extension of the company’s long-held belief in spotlighting Indian talent at every level. By backing a tournament that shapes athletes from grassroots to national stages, the brand reinforces its commitment to nurturing aspiration and excellence beyond the world of technology.
As the cheers fade and the turf resets for another season, Lava’s message remains clear: India’s passion deserves Indian champions on the field and in the palm of your hand.
With its continued support for sport and its deepening portfolio of Made-in-India smartphones, Lava hopes to inspire a generation that plays with purpose, dreams with ambition and leads with pride.
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.
