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Videocon lures Indian cricket team for a win with Plasma TV
MUMBAI: It started with Zee News announcing a prize of Rs 10 million for the Indian Hockey team if they won in the Olympics this year. Now with the Videocon Cup starting 21 August, in Holland, Videocon has announced that it will present its latest state-of-art-the-technology – Plasma TV set with a home theater system, priced at over $ 10,000, to each member of the Indian cricket team, if they won the Videocon Cup.
Videocon is investing in the range of $ 2 million in rewards for the match to be played India, Pakistan and Australia. Videocon International Ltd. president Pradeep Kumar N Dhoot made this announcement prior to his departure to Holland today.
“Plasma Television is the jewel in the crown of Videocon’s range of products, which the company has introduced in recent times. We would like to present this Plasma TV to each member of our team as a token of our appreciation on winning the Videocon Cup,” said Dhoot.
According to the official release, this announcement of gifting the Indian contingent with a Videocon Plasma TV on their victory in the tournament is over and above the prize money announced last week by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wherein a prize money of $ 25,000 would be given to the team winning the Videocon Cup and that of $ 3,000 for the player of the series.
Videocon would be sponsoring all international cricket matches played in India through its three-year contract with BCCI. “This is an effort to motivate excellence and entertainment in cricket — two core values of Videocon as a brand,” said Videocon International Ltd. vice-president Sunil Tandon.
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.
