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PUMA onboards cricketers Riyan Parag and Nitish Kumar Reddy
Mumbai: Sports brand PUMA India, to deepen their connection with Gen Z consumers, onboard Riyan Parag and Nitish Kumar Reddy, the country’s promising cricketers and batters. This move reinforces PUMA’s commitment to nurturing young talent and solidifying the sports brand’s connection with youth culture in the country.
Riyan Parag, a 22-year-old right-hand batsman from Guwahati, has made significant strides in the cricket scene. He is the highest run-getter among uncapped players in the recent cricket league and was part of the victorious Indian Under-19 team at the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Likewise, Nitish Kumar Reddy, a 21-year-old all-rounder from Andhra Pradesh, has been making headlines for earning the Emerging Player title in the recent cricket league.
With this, the duo joins the PUMA family and will promote PUMA’s footwear, apparel, athleisure, and accessories through various events and initiatives.
Riyan Parag commented, “Joining PUMA is an incredible honour. I have always admired PUMA’s dedication to sports and their unwavering pursuit of excellence. Being part of a brand that champions performance and innovation is truly inspiring. I am excited to represent PUMA and hope to motivate young cricketers to follow their passion with the same commitment and enthusiasm that the sports giant embodies.”
Nitish Kumar Reddy said, “The association with PUMA is a major milestone for me, and I am eager to represent the sports brand both on and off the field. I believe that together, we can achieve amazing things and inspire the next wave of athletes to follow their dreams with the same passion and commitment.”
As per the Instagram Trend Talk preview for 2024, nine out of ten Gen Z individuals in India consider themselves part of a fandom. The same study also highlighted that India has the highest percentage of sports superfans among Gen Z, compared to any other country.
PUMA’s strategic alliances and innovative marketing campaigns in the country have catapulted the brand to global stardom, which is supported by a battery of Brand Ambassadors in Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Harmanpreet Kaur, MC Mary Kom, to Avani Lakhera and Gen Z sensations in Ibrahim Ali Khan and Shanaya Kapoor, along with a vibrant social media community of 13 million followers.
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.
