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Maharashtra Deaf Cricket Team wins IDCA 3rd Test National Cricket Championship for Deaf 2024
Mumbai: Maharashtra Deaf Cricket Team defeated Madhya Pradesh Deaf Cricket Team, with a lead of 45 runs to win the IDCA 3rd Test National Cricket Championship trophy for Deaf 2024, organised in association with Serum Institute of India (a part of Cyrus Poonawalla Group). The winning team was felicitated by the chief guest in the closing ceremony held at Essex Farms Cricket Club, Chhawla, Delhi on February 17, 2024.
In the final match played between Maharashtra Deaf Cricket Team and Madhya Pradesh Deaf Cricket team, the former won the toss and decided to bowl.
IDCA support partners and dignitaries from cricket and the corporate world also graced the event to motivate the players. Their presence reflected the collaborative spirit and commitment to celebrate inclusivity in sports.
Guest of Honour:
1. Dr Manish Sharma, principal – Venkateshwar International School
2. B.P. Sharma, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), New Delhi
3. Yogesh Pal Singh, Deputy Director of Education (Sports & PE) Govt. of NCT of Delhi
4. Dr Nagendra Solanki, chairman – Venkateshwar World School, Pune
5. ACP Rajesh Dogra, ACP, South-East District, Delhi
6. Mukesh Shukla, Sr anchor, DD News
7. Bhupendra, chairman, Essex Farms Cricket Club, Chhawla, New Delhi
8. Dev Dutt, Qualified BCCI coach
9. Sonika Takkar Vachcher, TGT-English, Venkateshwar International School
Dedicated to nurturing upcoming sports talent among specially-abled youth, Serum Institute of India (a part of Cyrus Poonawalla Group) collaborated with IDCA as the Principal Partner. The group extended full support to IDCA for the hearing-impaired men’s tournament as they competed to win the coveted cup.
Addressing the gathering, the chief guest, Dr. Sushi Singh, president, Centre for CSR | BRICS chamber of Commerce & industry; and Vice President, Police Families Welfare Society, Delhi Police, said, “I am honoured to be a part of the tournament and present the team with the championship trophy. These players are exceptionally talented and IDCA is playing a crucial role in nurturing their talent by providing them with the platform to showcase their skills.”
IDCA president Sumit Jain said, “All four teams performed exceptionally well at the tournament. Their zeal and prowess are commendable. For us, all of them are winners. We are also thankful to our partners for supporting us to give a platform to these talented players and join the ‘DaretoDream’ movement to mainstream them. IDCA is committed to nurturing the young talents of the country and strives to give them the opportunity to shine on the national and international level.”
The winning team was presented with the trophy and the winning amount of Rs. 1,00,000, while the runner-up was awarded with a consolation prize of Rs. 50,000. The best individual sportsmen in various categories including, batting, bowling, fielding, and super sixes were also felicitated for their commendable performance.
IDCA CEO Roma Balwani said, “We would like to extend our gratitude to all our support partners for believing in these young players and helping us to make their dream of playing at the national level come true. Sports is a powerful medium that connects people and we are certain that it would help us break barriers and promote inclusivity in the field. These specially-abled individuals are an essential part of our society and we must provide them with equal opportunity to grow and fulfil their dream.”
IDCA patron Reena Jain Malhotra commented, “It was an enthralling tournament and all the players performed exceptionally well. We thank our support partners for joining us today to cheer for the specially-abled players. We are hopeful that this initiative will motivate more players to take up sports.”
The six-day championship kicked off on 12 February 2024, at Essex Farms Cricket Club & Haryana Cricket Academy, Chhawla, New Delhi with a face-off between Jammu & Kashmir and Madhya Pradesh. The event was inaugurated in a glittering ceremony by the chief guest Santosh Kumar Rai, district magistrate South-East, Delhi. Four teams from Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir participated in this tournament.
In support are IDCA’s long-term partners, KFC India, Hero Moto Corp, Nykaa, Impact Research, Cognito & Kaizzen.
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.
