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Maharashtra lift IDCA Deaf T20 cricket title
MUMBAI: Cricket heard loud and clear in the capital this week as Maharashtra lifted the 9th T20 National Cricket Championship for the Deaf 2025 trophy, edging out Jammu & Kashmir by eight runs in a thrilling finale in New Delhi.
Captain Pranil More proudly received the trophy from West Delhi MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat, joined by Dy. mayor of Delhi Jai Bhagwan Yadav and Villoo Poonawalla Foundation & Serum Institute of India CEO Jaswinder Narang.
Applauding the players, Sehrawat said she was honoured to witness the final, adding that prime minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to sports and inclusivity continues to inspire. “One day, I hope to see you all in the Indian team, lifting the World trophy,” she said.
Narang praised the athletes’ determination, calling their performance “truly inspiring”. “We’re proud to support IDCA’s mission and to empower these remarkable athletes. I’m especially proud that my home state, Maharashtra, has won the championship today,” he added.
The week-long tournament, organised by the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) and supported by the BCCI, featured 20 teams from across India, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Punjab, Delhi, and Bengal. Matches were held across four venues in Chhawla, with over 40 league games leading to the grand finale.
IDCA president Sumit Jain said the event celebrated the “spirit and resilience” of India’s hearing-impaired athletes, made possible through the support of the Cyrus Poonawalla Group and partners including KFC India, Hero MotoCorp, and Central Bank of India.
IDCA CEO Roma Balwani added that every edition strengthens the association’s resolve to create visibility and opportunity for differently abled cricketers. “Our goal is to replace barriers with belief and ensure every player’s talent is seen, heard, and celebrated.”
With Maharashtra’s victory, the cheers may have been silent, but the message of inclusion and triumph rang loud and clear.
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.
