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Purvanchal Panthers pounce into UPKL, expanding league to 11 teams
MUMBAI: The jungle just got louder and this time, it’s the Purvanchal Panthers making the roar. The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) has added a fresh dose of energy (and a fierce new mascot) with the induction of its latest franchise, the Purvanchal Panthers, ahead of Season 2.
The Panthers, co-owned by entrepreneurs Arnav Gupta and Aradhya Gupta, mark Upkl’s expansion to 11 teams: a move that not only broadens the league’s reach but also deepens its regional representation.
Conceptualised and operated by SJ uplift kabaddi pvt. ltd., the league continues its mission to blend sport, culture, and opportunity across Uttar Pradesh. The Purvanchal Panthers’ emblem, featuring a powerful panther flanked by two leaping cats, encapsulates strength, precision, and unity: values that echo the grit and pride of the Purvanchal region.
Citiyano De Resource Exim Pvt. Ltd director Arnav Gupta brings his experience in global trade and business innovation to the team’s management. “Joining the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League is more than a business decision; it’s about celebrating the strength and spirit of Purvanchal,” he said. “Through the Purvanchal Panthers, we aim to give our region’s athletes a platform to shine and make Purvanchal proud.”
His co-owner and sister, Citiyano De Firenze director Aradhya Gupta, helms hospitality and sports initiatives that merge professionalism with community impact. “Kabaddi reflects the energy and resilience of India’s heartland,” she said. “With the Purvanchal Panthers, we want to channel that same spirit through inclusivity and passion.”
SJ Uplift Kabaddi founder and director Sambhav Jain welcomed the duo to the league and said, “With every new team, Upkl strengthens its mission of combining sport, culture, and opportunity. Arnav and Aradhya’s energy and vision will add a new dimension to the upcoming season.”
With the Panthers on board, the Season 2 line-up now boasts 11 teams. The player auction is set for November 3 in Noida, with matches kicking off on Christmas day. If the first season was about establishing the league’s roots, this one looks set to be about claws, culture, and competition.
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.
