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Sotomayor to headline star packed Ekamra Sports Lit Fest
NEW DELHI: Talk about raising the bar. The Ekamra Sports Literature Festival is set to hit new heights as Olympic gold medallist and world record holder Javier Sotomayor headlines its 2025 edition.
Sotomayor, the only man to have ever cleared the mythical 8 feet barrier, will share the stage at Season 7 of the festival with India’s current high jump national record holder Tejaswin Shankar. The Cuban icon first soared past 8 feet in 1989 and cemented his place in history in 1993 with a staggering world record leap of 2.45m, a mark that has stood untouched for more than 32 years. At ESLF, he will break down the science, struggle and soul behind a record that continues to defy generations.
Reflecting on his visit to India, Sotomayor said it was an honour to be part of a festival visited by world class athletes over the years, adding that he has followed India’s rise in athletics closely and celebrated Neeraj Chopra’s historic Olympic triumph.
This season’s line-up widens the lens with Palestinian middle distance runner Mohammed Dwedar, fresh from the Tokyo World Championships, who will speak about training under pressure, navigating borders and the emotional weight of representing Palestine on the global stage.
Adding more international firepower is Italian author Franco Nugnes, who will discuss his deep dive into Ayrton Senna’s final race in his book Senna: The Truth, and writer filmmaker Jarrod Kimber, who will explore The Art of Batting and the personalities who shaped modern cricket.
The festival also spotlights India’s next wave of athletics talent, with hurdler Shourya Ambure, triple jumper Poorva Sawant and distance runner Bushra Khan sharing their journeys and the grind of breaking through in elite sport.
On the para sport front, Padma Shri awardee Deepa Malik, India’s first female Paralympic medallist, will speak about her autobiography Bring It On, reflecting on resilience, representation and the road to sporting glory.
Authors Sandeep Menon (Sacred Grounds) and Jaydeep Basu (Who Stole My Football) add to the literary slate, offering fresh perspectives on sport and culture.
Festival director and sports writer Sundeep Misra said each edition pushes the conversation forward and aims to create a space where athletes and authors speak openly about their craft and their lives, helping audiences cut through the noise that surrounds modern sport.
A key attraction returns in the form of India’s only Sports Book Awards, honouring standout titles across categories including book of the year, biography, autobiography, cricket book, special jury award and publisher of the year.
The Ekamra Sports Literature Festival 2025 will be held on 22 November at Delhi’s Bikaner House from 10:30 am onwards.
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.
