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Madrid meets Mumbai as Tata Communications kicks off Real connection
MUMBAI: When the Bernabéu meets Bharat, football fever finds a new field to play on. Tata Communications has teamed up with Real Madrid CF and Footballerista Mobile (Suisse) AG to bring the iconic club’s Madridista Premium loyalty programme to India, a digital goal aimed straight at the hearts of over 22 million fans and 11 official fan clubs across the country.
The collaboration marks a first-of-its-kind fusion of sport, technology, and fandom turning passion into participation. With this launch, Indian fans can now enjoy an exclusive peek into the Real Madrid universe through premium access to content, merchandise, and experiences designed to make every supporter feel closer to the club than ever before.
For Real Madrid, one of the most followed football teams globally, India represents not just an audience but an untapped fan movement. Through Madridista Premium, the club is extending its digital ecosystem to Indian shores, deepening its connection with fans and nurturing football culture in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
Tata Communications will power this connection through its cutting-edge digital infrastructure and MOVETM platform ensuring seamless connectivity, personalised engagement, and a 24/7 bridge between fans and the club. Footballerista, the customer-facing arm of Tata Communications’ MOVETM, will take the lead on fan experiences and digital onboarding campaigns to drive engagement.
“This partnership isn’t just about digital innovation, it’s connecting Real Madrid to its Indian fanbase that goes beyond traditional fandom,” said Real Madrid CF institutional relations director Emilio Butrageño and one of the club’s most celebrated legends.
Echoing the sentiment, Tata Communications MOVETM vice president and global head Marco Bijvelds added, “Our technology is designed to break down barriers and create connections. With Footballerista and Real Madrid, we’re not just providing a service, we’re building a stage for Real Madrid’s fan experience in India.”
For Indian supporters who have long cheered from afar, Madridista Premium offers more than a membership, it’s a front-row ticket to the real experience. From exclusive emotional content and curated merchandise to local engagement events, the initiative turns every fan moment into a celebration.
As Tata Communications, Footballerista and Real Madrid join forces, one thing’s certain the beautiful game just found a new home crowd. The Bernabéu might be miles away, but the Madridista spirit is now firmly kicking in India.
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.
