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‘Yeh apna mantra hai’ is the official anthem of IPL 2021
MUMBAI: The Indian Premier League is undoubtedly the biggest celebration of cricket as a sport. And no desi celebration is complete without some music and verve. With the 2021 edition just around the corner, Star Sports has rolled out a new anthem for the IPL, launched during the first India versus England ODI on Tuesday.
The cash-rich league has always been known for producing upbeat anthems with exciting themes woven around it. For its 14th edition, the league’s reputation to have a catchy theme has been kept intact. The video starts with a teacher asking his students the mantra for success. At this, the student starts rattling off all the mantras he knows, but the teacher interrupts him saying these are quite old and outdated. With this, the music video takes off with the song, “yeh apna mantra hai, India ka apna mantra” (this is our mantra, India’s own mantra). The theme of the video revolves around how India is rapidly changing and racing ahead at a swift pace.
Throughout the video, one can catch glimpses of celebrated Indian cricketers. Each of the IPL teams has a representation in the film. The tournament openers, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore lead the way in the video along with their captains and star players, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Shubman Gill of Kolkata Knights Riders and Punjab Kings’ captain KL Rahul are also seen taking part in the short video.
From Chennai Super Kings, new recruit K Gowtham is seen while Wriddhiman is the torchbearer for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Rishabh Pant is the representative of Delhi Capitals while young batsman Riyan Parag bears the flag for the Rajasthan Royals. From the looks of it, the video seems to have been shot during the Test series between India and England, which ended earlier this year.
IPL 14 is all set to kickstart with a bang on 9 April. After the 2020 edition had to be played out of India, in the United Arab Emirates due to the Covid scare, this time around with the league back on its home ground, there is a lot of excitement. The opening match will see Kohli’s RCB take on the defending champions Mumbai Indians led by Rohit Sharma in Chennai.
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.
