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Star Sports launches ‘Le Panga’ campaign to ignite Kabaddi fervour
MUMBAI: Star Sports is set to inspire people to overcome personal limitations and barriers. The sports channel in a bid to promote Kabaddi has launched a marketing campaign for Star Sports Pro Kabaddi titled Le Panga (#LePanga).
As in Kabaddi, life also throws up situations where the odds are heavily stacked against you. You have a choice to make. Take the safe option out and make provisions to adjust to the situation; or take on the larger odds and triumph. That moment, when we resolve to take on impossible odds and challenge the status quo, is Star Sports Pro Kabaddi’s ‘Le Panga’ moment.
A Star Sports spokesperson said, “As a sport, Kabaddi is unique in the nature of the challenge undertaken by the players. A raider is alone and almost always faced with insurmountable odds with the defenders waiting to pounce on him and use their collective physical might to overpower the raider and stop him from accomplishing his objective. The campaign, #LePanga, cites real life situations as in the sport that people can relate to.”
“Panga is a positive emotion, where action leads to improvement. Fundamentally, the strong do not take ‘Panga’ with the weak as that would be synonymous with bullying behavior. ‘Panga’ is that spirited act where passion and courage trump conventional logic and enables one to overcome seemingly impossible challenges,” the spokesperson added.
The first film of the series, marking the debut of well-known radio jockey Malishka as Inspector Laxmi Peter, went on air during the third One Day International between India and Bangladesh.
The ad-film, full of Bollywoodesque drama, revolves around an ambitious female police officer, Inspector Laxmi Peter who can only be described as ‘the unlucky one’. The idea centres on Laxmi Peter getting inspired to change while watching a Pro-Kabaddi League match, having resigned herself to her fate. Inspector Laxmi Peter, in the climax, manages to finally capture the group of criminals and her elusive target Rakka all her on own.
The advertisement has been styled to include all major elements of a Bollywood film – the flashback to her childhood where she expresses her dream of becoming a police officer, the scenes where Rakka escapes her grasp after a chase and the climax where she ultimately overcomes her limitations to accomplish her goals, inspired by Kabaddi. The storyline highlights the many attractions of the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League and builds towards the excitement of watching the sport.
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.
