News Headline
Vivo dials into IPL’s title sponsorship as Pepsi fizzles out; BCCI meeting underway
NEW DELHI: The controversy ridden Indian Premier League (IPL) has got its third official sponsor in less than nine seasons of the tournament, with Chinese smartphone maker Vivo replacing PepsiCo as the next sponsor for two years.
PepsiCo, which had replaced DLF as the title sponsor of the IPL, has gone global quoting Pepsi chairman Indra Nooyi saying that the company will only associate with ethical and clean sporting properties.
Confirming the new sponsorship deal with Vivo to Indiantelevision.com, a source close to the development said that the terms and conditions will remain the same as with PepsiCo.
At the time of filing this report, IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla was not available for comment as it is understood he is attending a meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which is currently underway in Mumbai.
The source said Vivo is trying to establish its presence in the Indian market and will leverage the IPL platform for the same.
PepsiCo had become title sponsor of the IPL in 2013 after they bid Rs 396.8 crore for five seasons until 2017.
Earlier this month, the cola giant had informed IPL COO Sundar Raman about the decision to withdraw.
Shukla had earlier said the Pepsi pullout will have no bearing on the tournament as they were already in talks with other sponsors. Shukla had clarified that PepsiCo had been a good partner, had made certain points and the issue would be resolved amicably.
Sources indicated that PepsiCo will continue to be associated with the IPL as beverage partner with independent IPL teams.
Prior to Pepsi, DLF had paid Rs 200 crore to become title sponsors of the tournament since its inception in 2008 till 2012.
It is learnt that PepsiCo was disturbed at allegations of corruption as well as arrests of players and officials on charges of betting during its sponsorship term.
These included Gurunath Meiyappan, then team official of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team, and Raj Kundra, then co-owner of Rajasthan Royals (RR), who had been given a clean chit by a commission appointed by then BCCI chief N Srinivasan.
After losing the case in the Bombay High Court, BCCI went to the Supreme Court, which in July appointed the Justice RM Lodha panel after which with CSK and RR teams were banned from the tournament for two years with Meiyappan and Kundra being banned for life.
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.
