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Panja packs a punch as Season 2 locks arms with FanCode once again
MUMBAI: Get ready to grip your screens, India’s fiercest arm battles are back and bolder than ever. The Pro Panja League is flexing for a powerful comeback as Season 2 kicks off on 5 August , streaming live on Fancode. After a knockout debut that turned armwrestling into a must-watch phenomenon, the league is once again teaming up with India’s go-to digital sports platform to deliver unfiltered strength, strategy and spectacle to fans across the country.
Returning in an IPL-style franchise format, the tournament will see elite athletes from across the nation collide in high-voltage matchups over 17 action-packed days in Gwalior known as much for its heritage as, now, for hosting this homegrown showdown.
While the Kochi KD’s will defend their title, all eyes are also on the fresh crop of contenders eager to shake up the pecking order at the Panja table.
“Our aim has always been to make armwrestling accessible to every Indian household,” said Pro Panja League co-founder Parvin Dabas. “Fancode’s reach in Season 1 gave us the perfect platform and we’re ready to dial it up again for Season 2.”
Fancode co-founder Yannick Colaco added, “We’re proud to continue supporting the growth of indigenous sports. Panja isn’t just a contest of strength, it’s a celebration of pride and passion. And we’re excited to bring it to screens across India.”
Fans can catch all the action live on the Fancode app (Android and Ios), on TV via Amazon Fire TV Stick, Android TV, Samsung TV, Jio STB, and on the Fancode website.
Whether you’re a diehard fan or new to the grip-and-rip game, the Pro Panja League promises a second season that’s bigger, bolder, and guaranteed to leave viewers hooked.
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.
