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Mastercard’s young mascots walk with the Indian cricket team to inspire positive climate action
Mumbai: Leveraging its association with sports for positive societal and environmental impact, Mastercard has chosen 22 children to walk alongside the Indian team with potted plants ahead of the first India-Australia ODI match at Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium. The initiative was part of Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition (PPC), which aims to highlight the significance of reforestation to counter climate change.
Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition unites companies, communities and consumers in climate action and includes more than 100 partners globally, including sustainably minded merchants, fintechs and global banks. Under this program, Mastercard and its partners aim to restore 100 million trees globally and one million trees in India by 2025.
“Mastercard is committed to using sports as a platform to trigger a positive change in society. People are extremely passionate about cricket in India and a majority of fans often idolise their favourite cricketing stars. That’s why Mastercard chose this occasion and selected 22 young mascots to drive an environment-first campaign. The idea behind this initiative was to take the PCC program to the masses and encourage a collective climate action,” said Mastercard VP & head marketing & communications, South Asia Manasi Narasimhan.
The Priceless Planet Coalition has 18 restoration projects globally, ensuring that Mastercard and its partner organisations are able to maximise their climate, community, and biodiversity commitments. Apart from using ecological and social metrics to make a note of the amount of carbon-neutrality generated and monitor progress on tree growth and survival rates, the PCC initiative is focused on generating jobs and improving livelihoods.
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.
