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Magic Bus named as official charity partner for Aircel Chennai Open 2015 edition
MUMBAI: The organisers of the Aircel Chennai Open have announced that Magic Bus India Foundation, a non-governmental organisation that steers underprivileged children towards a better life with better awareness, life skills, and opportunities, is the official charity partner of the tournament. This is the first year Magic Bus is partnering with the event.
Through the association, Magic Bus will execute the sport for development programme in Chennai in 2015 for underprivileged children, financed out of the ATP Aces for charity grant. The ATP Aces for charity is a global initiative aimed at giving back to communities where ATP World Tour events are played, and supporting tournament and player charitable activities, which focus on causes from education to youth and community services to health and fitness.
Last month, the NGO organised its 2014 benefit during which the Open sold its premium VIP seats to Magic Bus to help raise money for charity. During an event organised at the Stadium’s Centre Court, ATP Supervisor Mark Darby, presented a cheque of $15,000 to founder and executive chairman Matthew Spacie. The proceeds will be used by Magic Bus to enrol 1,000 underprivileged children across Chennai into the Magic Bus sport for development programme.
Magic Bus will invite 350 children enrolled in Magic Bus programmes in Chennai to participate in the Kid’s tennis clinic and witness centre court matches to expose children to the sport.
Magic Bus founder and executive chairman Matthew Spacie said, “Through a number of programmes in partnership with the tournament and the ATP, we hope to give millions of children living in poverty the opportunity to control the way they view the world, the freedom to choose the role they will play in it, and the power to define their own destiny.”
IMG Reliance chief operating officer Ashu Jindal commented, “We are happy to enter into a meaningful partnership with Magic Bus India Foundation and look forward to using the platform that the Aircel Chennai Open gives us to make a positive difference to the lives of the underprivileged in India. We welcome Magic Bus into the ACO family today.”
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.
