News Headline
Mad River inks sponsorship deal with Eco-Challenge
ATLANTA (US): Respect for nature without taking oneself too seriously – is what Mad River hopes to communicate to consumers through its recently signed sponsorship agreement with the ninth annual Eco-Challenge Expedition Race, to be held in Fiji this month.
In the US, the race will air on USA Network from 21-25 April 2003. In India, the show will air on action oriented channel AXN. Mad River is a line of natural flavoured teas and juice drinks from Beverage Partners Worldwide, a joint venture between Nestle and Coca-Cola.
Mad River will also sponsor a team (Team Mad River) for competing in the 2002 race, composed of ‘celebrity’ participants Ethan Zohn, winner of Survivor III, Jenna Lewis of Survivor I, Tim Beggy of MTV’s Road Rules II and Adam Larson of Road Rules X. One of twenty ‘rookie’ teams confirmed to embark on the Eco-Challenge adventure, Team Mad River is sure to attract media attention as they travel anywhere between seven and 12 days over 500 km of Fiji’s toughest terrain.
The Eco-Challenge which claims to be the world’s premier Expedition Race, is held in a remote part of the world each year and attracts the planet’s best adventure racing athletes. The Fiji 2002 competition will see participants use only non-motorised forms of transportation such as jungle trekking, ocean paddling, mountain biking, canyoneering and kayaking. The 80 competing teams will travel over 300 miles with only 12 days to complete the race.
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.
