I. Ajay Kumar Reddy B2 (Andhra Pradesh) will lead the Indian team while Venkateswara Rao Dunna - B2 (Andhra Pradesh) will be the vice-captain. The World Cup matches will be held from December 6 to 17.
The participating countries for the 3rd T20 World Cup for the Blind are India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The opening match will be played between defending champions India and Nepal on December 6 in Faridabad.
"I am thrilled to be a part of the 3rd T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind as the Brand Ambassador. I commend and appreciate the spirit of the visually impaired cricketers for their passion for cricket and determination to fight everyday challenges. It is a different world, but it is a world of cricket. Cricket has no boundaries. And I believe this game taught me how to fight, how to fall, how to dust myself off to get up again and move forward. So I urge and invite everyone to support this great initiative," Yuvraj Singh said in a release.
The World Cup is an initiative of the Samarthanam Trust for the disabled, which has been organizing this championship since 2012.
On having Yuvraj Singh as the brand ambassador on board for the 3rd T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind, Dr. Mahantesh G. K., President CABI and Founder Managing Trustee Samarthanam commented: "We are privileged to welcome Yuvraj Singh to Cricket for the Blind family. His personality shines through his unmatched energy and commitment to being bold, authentic, true, fighting spirit and uncompromising quality fit with CABI's brand values."
Omfed Managing Director Vishal Gagan said Pattnaik would play a significant role in popularising its products through his sand art in various fairs & festivals.
The presence of the renowned sand artist would also help in the upliftment of poor milk producers of the state, he added.
Sarojini Mishra, chairperson of Omfed congratulated Pattnaik and said the milk cooperative was proud to have him as its brand ambassador.
Expressing happiness over his appointment, Pattnaik said it was an opportunity for him to serve the farmers of Odisha. He tweeted,” I am extremely happy to associate myself with @OMFED1 as its Honorary Brand ambassador to promote our unique state product.”
Omfed, an apex cooperative, has been striving hard since the eightees to provide self employment to 3 lakh farmers of Odisha for their sustainable livehood, an Omfed official said.
At present Omfed is selling 5.5 lakh litres milk and milk products in the state through its wide retail network.
Commissioner cum Secretary, State Sports and Youth Services department, Vishal Dev has extended full-fledged support to the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), which is organizing the World Cup Cricket for the Blind.
Briefing media persons here today, Dev requested the people to watch the match in person and encourage the players. The first qualifying match of the event would be played between India and New Zealand at the KIIT University Grounds on February 7.
Announcing support towards the World Cup for the Blind, Dev, said it is vitally important to develop an ecosystem to foster sports for the differently abled as they evolve into a platform through which they can contribute equally to the society and the nation. It greatly helps to attain financial independence and an inclusive society. I am extremely happy to have rendered our responsibility of providing support towards the cause of cricket for the visually impaired in the country, on behalf of the Sports and Youth Services Department. I wish CABI and its affiliates all the very best. I urge one and all to show support by being present at the venue and cheering the players," he added.
Expressing his views on the state government supporting the noble Initiative, Strategist on Board of CABI, MJ Srikant said developing any initiative of public interest needs a pro-active support from government authorities, especially in the context of initiatives directed towards bettering the lives of the differently abled. “On behalf of CABI I sincerely thank the Odisha government for extending its support towards the 2nd T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind. This comes in at the right time when we are garnering as much support as we can and ensure this World Cup will be a game changer for this format of the sport in the country," he pointed out.
"I thank the Sports and Youth Services Department for the support they have provided. It will certainty help the visually impaired community across the nation," said Sabyasachi Mishra, the recently chosen Brand Ambassador of Cricket for the Blind in Odisha.
Sanyasi Behera, secretary, Odisha Blind Association, talked about his experience of Blind Cricket and sought sincere cooperationand encouragement from the cricket lovers of Odisha.
Rahul Dravid is the official Brand Ambassador for the tournament while cricket stars Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul, Umesh Yadav, Gautam Gambhir and Bollywood actor Anupam Kher have also come forward to support and promote Blind Cricket.
Former Indian cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar and many other cricketers have come forward to support this international event.
Ananta Kishore Jena, Director, Sports & Youth Services thanked the media and hoped that it will play a key role in highlighting this international event.
The new TV campaign, featuring the actress, captures the values and essence of the brand - "Achchaai Jo Chehre Par Nazar Aaye". It has been rolled out to celebrate the goodness, painstakingly nurtured and instilled in children by every mother, said a statement,
"The Charmis film simply underlines a basic truth that while goodness is about character, integrity, honesty, kindness, moral courage, but above all, goodness is about how you treat other people. Being an ambassador makes me feel good and trustworthy; both aspects being important to me as a person and an artist," said Kajol.
The campaign recognises and celebrates the lessons best learnt from mothers - ‘Maa ki Seekh' and how they guide children to make the right choices as they navigate through the maze of life and respond to challenges and conflicts thrown up each day.
Sameer Satpathy, Chief Executive, Personal Care Products Business, ITC Limited, said, "It is a moment of pride for us to reintroduce Charmis, a brand that has been loved by consumers for over eight decades, in a fresh new look. We are excited to introduce a great new sensorial with SPF 30 and above all with a delightful new TV campaign."
The new TVC developed by the creative team at Contract and film director Ram Madhvani of Equinox, showcase the heartfelt moment of a young boy, who when faced with a dilemma, decides to follow the value of goodness and the teachings learnt from his mother - brave boys don't hit girls.
The Punch Tantra range of tribal artefacts promoted by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) includes handlooms and handicrafts which will be promoted by Kom, as per a release.
During the launch function she said such initiatives would bring great change in the lives of the tribal people, socially and economically.
Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said that the probable potential of TRIFED was much more than many other public sector units and if utilised properly, it may become a game changer in the Indian economy.
The TRIFED had invited the top 200 artisans and producers to the function as part of its initiative to promote tribal entrepreneurship and generate livelihood opportunities.
"Besides, a team of 60 young entrepreneurs from Dantewada, Chhattisgarh was also present," the release said.
The diagnostics chain has rolled out a new preventive customised health check platform under the brand name SRL Care. There will be a new range of comprehensive, customised full body check-up packages under SRL Care.
The packages are a part of the company's initiatives to change the lives of people by showcasing the benefits of a preventive healthcare mindset.
"For over 23 years, SRL's purpose has remained focused on helping people on their path to better health in extraordinary ways. This commitment means that we strive to bring up-to-date advances in technology along with highly trained staff and customer-centric services," Arindam Haldar, CEO, SRL Diagnostics, said in a statement.
"However, as leaders and decision makers, we need to understand that the absence of a disease is always going to be of higher value to the society than achieving excellence in treating it.
"Therefore, for some time now, SRL has been working towards shifting the mindset of people from illness based diagnostics to wellness based preventive healthcare approach."
Shilpa shared that she has always believed in preventive healthcare.
"I go for regular health check-ups as often as necessary. SRL Care attempts to change the mindset of people from curative to preventive and reduce the prevalence of lifestyle diseases, thereby helping people live longer and healthier lives," she added.
"We have appointed Rahman as the state government's brand ambassador for a year," Sikkim Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation and Commerce and Industries Ugen T Gyatso, told IANS over phone.
As the government's brand ambassador, Rahman would keep coming to the Himalayan state from time to time and promote it, said the Minister.
The 51-year-old music producer, who has in his kitty two Academy and two Grammy Awards, is now in Sikkim. "He will leave on Thursday," the Minister said.
In an official notification, Chief Secretary A.K. Srivastava said Rahman will promote and project the state's achievements nationally and globally.
Earlier this year, Rahman had been made Sikkim's brand ambassador of tourism and business.
Rahman is a widely awarded music personality and has worked in an array of international projects.
In 2010, Rahman was conferred the country's third highest civilian honour Padma Bhushan.
Asked if being a brand ambassador is a huge responsibility, Virat told IANS in an e-mail interview: "I certainly believe that being a brand endorser comes with its share of responsibilities. While endorsing a brand, you are essentially putting your stamp of approval on it, and asking your fans to follow suit and use it.
"Personally, I do not believe in representing something that I myself do not use, which is a main reason why I do not sign on with brands that I do not consume," he added.
Talking about his evoSpeed One8, he says he has been a part of it since the beginning.
"In case of evoSpeed One8, I have been involved right from the development phase of the footwear, and I am happy to see the product come to life," he added.
On the work front, Virat's team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has been knocked out of the ongoing Indian Premier League.
Velagapudi Prakasarao, founder and president of the foundation, on Wednesday said the board of directors unanimously decided to suspend Srinivas. In a video message from the US, he said they were surprised and shocked to hear the allegations of sexual abuse in their India office.
"We don't not tolerate any abuse of power or any infraction of moral conduct," he said.
Rao said the two organisations were started in 2006 by a group of NRIs to protect Hinduism. Their main goal is to free temples from government control and uphold and preserve high morals and ethical principles.
Ghazal Srinivas, whose real name is Kesiraju Srinivas, was arrested by Hyderabad police on Tuesday on charges of sexually harassing a woman, working as jockey for a web radio 'Alayavani' (voice of temples) run by Save Temples Organisation.
The woman complained that Srinivas, who is popular for singing ghazals in Telugu, was harassing her for the last few months. A court later sent the singer to judicial custody till January 12.
Srinivas denied the allegations. He said he always treated the woman like his daughter.
The 51-year-old holds the Guinness World Record for singing in most languages (76) at one concert.
In a statement, it was also announced that Rana is the co-owner of the team.
Deco, the former Barcelona and Chelsea star, has been named as the marquee player for Telugu Tigers.
Rana is confident the team will rock in this year's competition.
"It has been a matter of great pride and honour to be associated with Telugu Tigers in Premier Futsal. I am sure with Deco as a marquee player in the team; the Telugu Tigers will rock this year. I am also sure that my fans will come in large numbers to support my team in Premier Futsal across every centre," Rana said in the statement.
On being signed as the team's marquee player, Deco said: "I am really excited to have got an opportunity to travel to India and play in Premier Futsal. Unfortunately, I could not play last year in the inaugural edition due to injury but this year I am excited and looking forward for the experience."
In Mumbai, the first round of matches will be played till September 17. The next round of matches will be played in Bengaluru from September 19. The semi-finals and final will be held in Dubai from September 26 to October 1.
The inaugural edition of Premier Futsal was played in 2016, and it was won by Mumbai 5s.
The move is aimed at strengthening bilateral educational ties between India and New Zealand. Kriti will drive the initiative aimed to attract aspiring students who are looking for a successful career overseas, read a statement.
Kriti, fresh off the success of her latest film "Bareilly Ki Barfi", is thrilled. "Education has played an important role in my growth, the emphasis on learning has been essential in our house.
"I have had several friends and close family members who have chosen to study overseas and as a student I always enjoyed to explore new opportunities.
"With New Zealand's diverse offerings across courses and institutions, I look forward to engaging with the youth of our country about the same," she said.
The actress was a "perfect fit" for the role as she has a good educational background as well as a fan following among the youth, said John Laxon, Education New Zealand's Regional Director - India, South East Asia and Middle East.
New Zealand has been looking to improve its Indian engagements in the tourism and education sectors. Earlier, they roped in Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra to endorse Tourism New Zealand.
Vidya, who was appointed as one of the members of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on Friday, has completed shooting for "Tumhari Sulu".
She is the brand ambassador of the film festival.
"Vidya has just signed some new brands and will be shooting for them after she is done with her ongoing brand commitments," said a source.
"Ira and Ruhaan are Vidya's lifelines and to be around on all their special days is a priority for Vidya. Over the weekend, she will be travelling with her family to celebrate her twin niece and nephew's birthday at (husband) Siddharth Roy Kapur's farm house.
"Since the actress will be travelling for her work commitments and spending time with her family over the weekend, she could not attend the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne this year," the source added.
"The contract with Dhoni is coming to an end this March. We haven't decided on whether to offer an extension or not," Vinod K. Dasari, managing director, told reporters here Wednesday.
Ashok Leyland signed up Dhoni as its brand ambassador in 2012.
Dasari agreed that Dhoni has certainly created visibility for the company and was all praise for the cricketer for his down-to-earth attitude at the company events.
To a query whether the company is looking at alternate brand ambassador, Dasari said no decision has been taken on that yet.
The company alleged that it was actually complainant I.Shashikanth, who had behaved inappropriately and violently with its staff forcing it to take action against him.
"The current police complaint appears to have been filed subsequently against us falsely, while also mischievously and wrongly dragging our celebrity brand ambassador Hrithik Roshan into it. We are cooperating with the authorities as per the due process and evaluating the remedial action," Cult.Fit Healthcare said in a statement.
Cult.Fit said that it was a responsible company conscious of the health and safety requirements of both its customers as well as its staff.
KPHB Colony police station under Cyberabad Police Commissionerate on Wednesday booked Roshan and three officials on charges of cheating and criminal breach of trust. The complainant alleged that the company they represented had failed to keep its promise of daily work out sessions.