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Navi Mumbai to host Maharashtra’s first-ever ‘Formula night street race’
MUMBAI: Maharashtra is set to make motorsport history as Navi Mumbai gears up to host the state’s first-ever ‘Formula night street race’ this December, marking the grand finale of the Indian Racing Festival (IRF). The announcement was made in the presence of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, during the signing of an Mou between Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. (RPPL) and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).
For the first time, Navi Mumbai’s streets will transform into a world-class FIA-grade racing circuit. Spanning 3.753 km with 14 turns, the track begins at Palm Beach Road, weaving past scenic stretches of Nerul Lake under floodlights, offering both drivers and fans a thrilling night racing experience.
The weekend promises double the adrenaline with the Indian Racing League (IRL) and FIA-certified Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC). Top Indian and international racers will battle it out, while spectators enjoy motorsport action against the city’s glowing skyline.
Fadnavis hailed the event as a milestone for Maharashtra’s motorsport journey, highlighting its potential to inspire young talent, boost tourism, and generate jobs. RPPL, chairman & MD, Akhilesh Reddy, emphasised that Mumbai’s debut street race will set a new benchmark for motorsport in India.
Blending speed, glamour, and entertainment, the festival will feature celebrity team owners including John Abraham, Arjun Kapoor, Sourav Ganguly, Sudeep Kichcha, Naga Chaitanya, and Swetha Sundeep Anand. With previous successful street races in Hyderabad and Chennai, the Navi Mumbai finale cements India’s place on the global motorsport map.
In December, the roar of engines, the energy of fans, and Navi Mumbai’s skyline will converge for an unforgettable weekend where speed meets spectacle.
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.
