GECs
Sahyadri Navratna awards on 27 April
MUMBAI: DD Sahyadri is all set to host the prestigious Sahyadri Navratna Awards at the Doordarshan premises in Worli on 27 April 2003.
The Sahyadri awards which began last year, are given to nine eminent Maharashtrians in recognition of their excellence in their particular field of interest.
The nine Ratna awardees this year are Prabha Atre (Music), Sumitra Bhave (Films), Dr Ashok Kolaskar (Education), Jayadev/Rohini Hattangadi (Drama), Dhanraj Pillay (Sports), Meena Seshu (Social Work), Sada Dumbre (Journalism), Ahilya Rangnekar (Women achiever) and Gajanan Pendharkar (Industry).
The nine-member jury who decided on the final list of Ratna awardees included editor of Marathi daily Loksatta Kumar Ketkar, cricketer Sandeep Patil and state director general information & publicity Bhushan Gagarani to name a few.
Bollywood actor Hema Malini will inaugurate the awards, which will be telecast on the Sahyadri channel on 1 May (from 4 pm to 7 pm).
Some of the popular shows on Sahyadri channel which went 24 hours this month airs includeMahacharcha ,a live phone- in talk show which discusses current topics, Ghatnachakra , Sahyadrichya Paulkhuna and Chitrapat Khajina which showcases Marathi feature films.
Sahyadri Kendra has also undertaken the production of short stories of Marathi, Hindi and Urdu literature.
GECs
Pocket FM partners with Indian Open Pickleball 2026
Audio platform joins forces with major tournament to engage young fans.
MUMBAI: Pocket FM just served up a perfect partnership because when audio storytelling meets pickleball’s fast-paced rallies, even the sidelines start listening. Pocket FM, the world’s largest audio series platform, has announced a strategic partnership with Indian Open 2026, one of India’s biggest pickleball tournaments organised by Global Sports in Hyderabad in association with Pickl’Out and Crosscourts Sports Club.
The collaboration brings Pocket FM’s immersive storytelling to one of the fastest-growing emerging sports in India. Pickleball, known for its accessibility, energy and strong community appeal, is rapidly attracting younger, digitally savvy audiences making it an ideal platform for Pocket FM to deepen its cultural relevance.
Under the partnership, Pocket FM will enjoy extensive on-ground and digital visibility throughout the tournament, which begins on 1 April 2026. This includes centre court branding, venue-wide presence, presenting rights for select matches, player lounge branding, team jersey integration, and strong integration across live streaming and social media.
Pocket FM, SVP and global head for brand marketing and partnerships Vineet Singh said, “Pickleball is building a strong connection with young and engaged audiences in India. This partnership allows us to connect with people in a meaningful way through strong on-ground presence and digital visibility.”
Global Sports and Indian Open 2026, founder Hemal Jain added, “Partnering with Pocket FM adds an exciting new dimension to the experience. As a brand that has built deep resonance with young audiences, Pocket FM is a strong fit for the energy and ambition of this tournament.”
The move reflects Pocket FM’s continued strategy of aligning with emerging passion points and building deeper engagement with communities driven by competition and shared experiences.
In a country where sports and stories often collide, Pocket FM isn’t just sponsoring a tournament, it’s turning every rally into a narrative, proving that the best audio moments sometimes happen when the paddle meets the ball.
