Energy solutions provider Luminous Power Technologies on Thursday announced the inauguration of its solar panel manufacturing factory at Rudrapur in Uttarakhand. Equipped with the latest advancements in solar panel manufacturing, the facility boasts of cutting-edge technology and infrastructure designed to ensure maximum efficiency and minimal environmental impact, a company statement said.

According to the statement, the inauguration event was graced by legendary cricketer and Luminous Brand Ambassador Sachin Tendulkar, accompanied by Preeti Bajaj, CEO & MD, Luminous Power Technologies, and Manish Pant, Chairman of Luminous Board & Executive VP – International Operations, Schneider Electric.

The inauguration of the solar plant marks an important milestone for Luminous, with the company undertaking strategic business decisions to evolve from manufacturing a best-in-class product range in the solar, inverter, and battery categories to building an end-to-end solar energy management ecosystem.

Preeti Bajaj, MD & CEO of Luminous Power Technologies, said in the statement, “Solar will be a significant part of our business, and we see it as a major growth enabler as we aim to double our growth in the next three years.”

The factory, spread over 10 acres, is fully automated and equipped with the latest and cutting-edge solar module manufacturing technologies.

The plant also boasts of being the first in the country to have fully robotic automation capabilities to manufacture high-quality modules. Having the current capacity of 250 MW, the state-of-the-art plant is expandable up to 1 GW, the company said.

Manish Pant, Chairman of Luminous Board & Executive VP – International Operations, Schneider Electric, said in the statement, “This factory is a significant step towards achieving the collective goal of Schneider and Luminous to promote net-zero practices and sustainable energy solutions.”

Luminous Power Technologies has been in business for 35 years.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has made an undisclosed investment in the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) and will serve as its core committee member, providing advice on the new T10 cricket league format.

On partnering with the ISPL, Tendulkar stated that the league will offer opportunities to cricket enthusiasts across all age groups. “The exciting format of ISPL formalises a form of cricket that is much played across all age groups. I am looking forward to bringing my experience to the table and contributing to the evolution of this format and the league,” he added.

ISPL aims to connect cricket fans nationwide, showcasing undiscovered talents and potentially paving the way for professional cricket with Tendulkar’s involvement.

Ashish Shelar, Core Committee Member, ISPL, said, “We are honoured to welcome Sachin Sir to the ISPL. His investment in the league is a testament to his belief in the format. Sachin will bring his passion and expertise to ISPL and support the long-term development and growth of the league.”

Amol Kale, Core Committee Member, ISPL, said, “We welcome Sachin Tendulkar to ISPL, a format that is close to our hearts. The ISPL brings a professional league format to the raw and thrilling experience of street cricket, and I look forward to Sachin helping to make our vision for the ISPL a reality. He will add immense value to the ISPL.”

Suraj Samat, Commissioner, ISPL, said, “At ISPL, we are finding talent by allowing everyone to play a professional game of cricket with a tennis ball. Sachin Sir’s insights and guidance will be invaluable in this pursuit as we strive to transform the game at the grassroots level.”

Scheduled to kick off from March 6th to March 15th, 2024, in Mumbai, the inaugural edition of ISPL promises an exciting roster of matches, featuring six competitive teams: Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir).

Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) has also recently announced the Invitation to Bid for the co-ownership across the six teams: Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Srinagar, with bids starting at INR 10 lakhs.

HYDERABAD: Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar backed Azad Engineering, which manufactures complex and highly engineered precision forged and machined components, has raised nearly `221 crore from 20 anchor investors on the eve of its `740-crore initial public offering (IPO) opening.

The allocation of 42,13,731 shares for `220.8 crore has been done at an anchor investor allocation price of `524 a share, which is the upper end of the price band of `499-524 per share fixed for the IPO that opens on Wednesday (December 20) and closes on December 22.

The allocation has been done at a premium of `522 per share of `2 face value each. With this nearly 30% of the Hyderabad-based company’s IPO has already been subscribed. The anchor investors include the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority – Monsoon, Nomura Funds Ireland Public Ltd Company – Nomura Funds Ireland-India Equity Fund and Ashoka India Equity Investment Trust LLC, all of whom have been allocated 4,67,572 shares each or a little over 11% each of the anchor investor portion.

The other major anchor investors allocated shares include Nippon Life India Trustee Ltd-Nippon India Small Cap Fund (8.03%), ICICI Prudential Flexicap Fund (6.71%), Kotak Infrastructure & Economic Reform Fund and Kotak Mahindra Trustee Co Ltd-Kotak Business Cycle Fund with 5.55% each

RRP Electronics, a company supported by former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, revealed its plan on Tuesday to invest Rs 5,000 crore in a semiconductor facility located in Maharashtra over the next five years.

The company did not disclose specifics regarding Tendulkar’s contribution or other shareholders. The announcement came alongside the unveiling of a 25,000 square feet facility in Navi Mumbai on March 23. The event was attended by Tendulkar, retired nuclear physicist Anil Kakodkar, and the company’s founder, chairman, promoter, and chief executive Rajendra Chodankar

RRP Electronics intends to expand its operations beyond the OSAT facility by establishing a research and development center and enhancing its setup to include a multi-line OSAT and a fab foundry.

The company stated, “Embarking on a journey of innovation, RRP Electronics pledges an initial investment of Rs 5,000 crore over the forthcoming five years, with equal vigour and commitment earmarked for phase II.” It plans to utilize government subsidies to bolster the venture, targeting sectors such as automotive, power, electronics, and industrial markets.

Describing it as Maharashtra’s pioneering semiconductor facility, Chodankar highlighted Tendulkar’s role as a “strategic investor” in the company.

Tendulkar expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We live in exciting times today, when India is building industries that positively impact the world tomorrow. I’m happy to be backing technologies and entrepreneurs who are part of this story.”

The semiconductor sector is known for its capital-intensive nature, and numerous companies have recently announced investments in similar initiatives.

New Delhi/Mumbai, November 3 (IANS) UNICEF South Asia Regional Ambassador and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar led a day for children and called for gender equality with Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lankan cricket icon, during the India-Sri Lanka match in Mumbai.

The One Day for Children is a milestone event under the ICC-UNICEF partnership to support children’s issues and causes during the ICC Men’s World Cup Cricket 2023 taking place in India.

In the second innings of the match, Sachin Tendulkar and Muttiah Muralitharan pressed a button which lit up the32,000 strong iconic Wankhede Stadium in UNICEF’s iconic cyan blue colour, as part of a long-standing partnership between UNICEF and the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“The World Cup is an opportune moment to bring people together and promote hope and equality for every child, and I am delighted that today’s match between Sri Lanka and India is the One Day for Children match,” said Sachin Tendulkar, cricketing icon, and UNICEF South Asia Regional Ambassador. “I urge the players, the audiences here and across the world, and ICC partners, to pledge to treat boys and girls equally, irrespective of gender and to build a world where all children, especially girls, have equal rights. I urge everyone to be a champion for children and pledge to end gender inequality together!”

Earlier, the in-stadium audiences were handed LED wrist bands at the entry points to the stands as they arrived, which turned blue with the Stadium. The LED wrist bands came with a QR code, which also linked to a pledge for children. Everyone who got the band was encouraged to scan the QR code and pledge. Players also wore one-of-a-kind armbands with logos of the World Cup, One Day 4 Child and UNICEF along with the players’ names.

“Today’s World Cup match is dedicated to advancing the rights and well-being of all children. This is a valuable opportunity to bring the power of cricket – its massive reach across the globe – to advocate for better, safer and empowering lives for millions of girls and boys,” said Cynthia McCaffrey, Representative, UNICEF India. “We greatly value the partnership with ICC and BCCI to use cricket to raise awareness and promote gender equality among millions of young fans and followers, and urge them to be champions for children, especially for girls.”

Since 2016, UNICEF and ICC have used the potential of cricketing events to improve the lives of children and young people. From2022, the focus of the partnership has been to empower girls and young women through cricket.

“I strongly believe that playing sport can positively transform children’s lives. Ensuring participation of girls in sports can challenge gender norms and change attitudes in schools, playgrounds and homes,” added Tendulkar, UNICEF’s South Asia Regional Ambassador. “Girls and boys everywhere, dream of a better future, and when girls do better, we all do better!”

South Asia is home to one-third of the world’s 600 million adolescent girls – or a staggering 170 million – yet their potential to change the world remains largely untapped. For example, 1 in every 5 girls is undernourished. More than half of adolescent girls are anaemic. Only 36 per cent of girls have completed secondary school. Evidence shows that with adequate investments in the health and nutrition of girls and women, the world could save more than 12 million lives and prevent more than 30 million unwanted pregnancies.

The ICC Men’s World Cup Cricket in India, from 5 October to 19 November, has attracted millions of fans and viewers. In addition to the One Day for Children event, UNICEF and ICC have promoted gender equality through several cricketing initiatives during the ICC World Cup 2023. For example, cricketers from each of the 10 teams played with about 50 young boys and girls during 10 cricket clinics across 8 cities in India.

In August 2023, in his role as UNICEF South Asia Regional Ambassador, Sachin Tendulkar visited Sri Lanka and met with children and parents impacted by the COVID-pandemic and the 2022 economic crisis.

Sachin Tendulkar’s statue was unveiled at the Wankhede, marking a deep tribute to his iconic cricket career and emotional connection to Mumbai and India.

Nearly a decade after he played his last international game, the little man was greeted with chants of ‘Saaaachiiin, Sachin’ by a largely empty Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday evening. The pre-recorded chants filtered through the public address system second after Sachin Tendulkar’s 22-foot statue, depicting a lofted straight drive, was unveiled adjacent to the stand named after him in a tribute by his home association that left him deeply moved.

Tendulkar’s 200th and final Test was against West Indies at the same venue in 2013, a game India wrapped up on the third day, November 16, by an innings and 126 runs. His final act on the field was a sparkling 74, his final act once the festivities were dispensed with and he made a stirring speech that left not a dry eye in the stadium was a walk to the middle of the ground to offer salutations to the pitch, a gesture of great symbolism and the ultimate proof of exactly what place the sport occupies in his life.

There was a slew of towering political and cricketing personalities in attendance at the unveiling of the statue and a function immediately afterwards, but there was no doubting who the cynosure was. Tendulkar’s connection to the sport and the country runs deep. He is revered and deified all over India, but it is Mumbai that is dearest to his heart, the Wankhede which holds the most special place in his consciousness.

Two of Tendulkar’s most iconic moments came at the ground he can rightfully call home – the realisation of a dream with victory in the World Cup final against Sri Lanka in 2011, and his last hurrah in international cricket, in front of his adoring immediate family – his mother included – and his extended family that the entire cricket-loving Indian fraternity had become. For the 24 years that he wielded his willow like a rapier and a broadsword and a scimitar, he dictated the moods of a billion people. His presence at the crease equalled reassurance, his dismissal drove daggers deep into Indian hearts. It’s unimaginable that one man could have carried so many hopes and expectations for so long – he first played for the country when he was 16 – and yet retained his sanity, his humility and his sense of equanimity.

Tendulkar’s evolution since his retirement has been little short of staggering. He has grown into an excellent speaker too, the first signs of which came during his passionate oration on the day of his Test retirement. On Wednesday, he regaled a rapt audience with previously unheard-of nuggets, including when he first visited the Wankhede as a 10-year-old to watch India play West Indies in 1983 as part of a 25-member group which had only 24 tickets because ‘tiny Tendulkar’ could easily be smuggled in.

One of his great regrets was not being able to bat alongside his hero Sunil Gavaskar, who took a 14-year-old Tendulkar to the Indian dressing room after the 1987 World Cup semifinal loss to England at the Wankhede. “The following year,” he recalled, “I was selected to play for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy. When I entered the dressing room, every seat was taken except the one at the far left. I went and left my kit there and was informed that that had been SMG’s seat. I went out to bat and scored a hundred because that seat wasn’t used to being occupied. The crease was used to being occupied, instead, so I had no option but to score a hundred.” It was classic Tendulkar, understated and with a respectful sense of humour that hasn’t always been his calling card.

Tendulkar was more than a player and a batter and a cricketer for the entirety of his career when he strode the cricketing landscape like a colossus. He touched hearts, he wowed audiences all over the world and he had some of the greatest names to have graced cricket eating out of his hands. In India, he became an emotion from day one, his progress from a curly-haired, baby-faced 16-year-old to a senior statesman whose spirit remained undimmed even as successive injuries ravaged his body a wonderful example on how to ride the punches, how to marry the occasional bad times with the numerous good ones.

As he dedicated the statue to his numerous ‘non-strikers, including those who played before me and inspired me’, it was obvious that he was saying nothing for effect. This was Tendulkar, honest and unplugged. The Tendulkar India knows and loves. The Tendulkar with the power to unite and heal, more than anyone else.

NEW DELHI: The International Cricket Council on Tuesday named legendary Sachin Tendulkar as the ‘Global Ambassador’ for the Cricket World Cup 2023, beginning this Thursday in Ahmedabad.

Sachin, who featured in a record six 50-over World Cups will be unveiling the World Cup trophy before the inaugural clash between England and New Zealand, officially opening the tournament.

“From being a ball boy in 1987 to representing the country in six editions, World Cups have always held a special place in my heart. Winning the World Cup in 2011 is the proudest moment of my cricketing journey,” Tendulkar was quoted as saying in a press release.

“With so many special teams and players set to compete hard in the World Cup here in India, I am excitedly looking forward to this fantastic tournament. Marquee events like the World Cup seed dreams in young minds, I hope this edition too inspires young girls and boys to pick up sports and represent their countries at the highest level.”

The biggest Cricket World Cup ever will also witness an eclectic cast of ICC ambassadors – West Indies legend Vivian Richards, South Africa’s AB de Villiers, England World Cup-winning skipper Eoin Morgan, Australia’s Aaron Finch, Sri Lanka spin great Muttiah Muralitharan, New Zealand’s Ross Taylor, India’s Suresh Raina and ex-captain Mithali Raj and Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez.

Claire Furlong, ICC General Manager, Marketing & Communications, said: “It’s a real honour to have Sachin as our Global Ambassador as we celebrate the one-day game and get set for what we know is going to be the biggest Men’s Cricket World Cup ever.

“He is joined by nine fellow legends of the game who will bring the fans closer to the action and we can’t wait for it all to begin.”

MUMBAI: Dubai-based multinational logistics company DP World, which claims to operate the largest logistics network in India, has partnered with Sachin Tendulkar and the International Cricket Council (ICC) to launch a new initiative called ‘Beyond Boundaries’. The five-year initiative will aim to deliver cricket kits and equipment to grassroots cricket clubs around the world. It will see the company distribute 50 repurposed shipping containers among these clubs or stadiums, each filled with essential equipment.

Tendulkar unveiled the first container in Mumbai on Wednesday, ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which will kick off in Ahmedabad on 5 October. The first DP World container and 40 cricket kits will be placed at the Chikhalikar Sports Club in Palghar, Maharashtra, while another 210 kits will be presented to young cricketers from academies such as Achrekar Cricket Academy and Shivaji Park Gymkhana Academy.

Every container will have 250 bespoke kits, each comprising a cricket bat, helmet, gloves and pads. The containers will also serve a dual purpose as pavilions and include a built-in scoreboard, sun protection and seating, the company said.

Tendulkar said, “Cricket is becoming more global and this initiative supports the growth of the game. We’re focusing on creating cricket spaces and distributing kits in countries where cricket is not as popular. Grassroots initiatives are vital to cricket development. Talent needs nurturing and organisations like DP World must provide the support needed for athletes to thrive.”

These cricket containers will not only provide budding cricketers with a place to rest and pad up, but also a safe space for young girls, who can use them as changing rooms.

While three containers will be distributed in India, the company has not unveiled the list of countries where the other 47 will be sent. Kevin D’Souza, SVP – business development – Middle East, North Africa and India subcontinent, DP World, told Mint, “This allows us to take cricket to the grassroots right across the world and to engage with diverse communities that benefit from our logistics services. So we’re bringing sports and trade together in some way.”

The company has a large network in India, comprising five port terminals, seven rail terminals, five container freight stations, two operational free-trade and warehousing zones in Mumbai and Chennai (and one under construction in Cochin), 92 cities with express logistics centres, and more than 30 container trains. It has invested over $1.2 billion in the country, and in 2018 partnered with the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), India’s first sovereign wealth fund, to create a platform to invest up to $3 billion in rail logistics, multi-modal logistics parks, container freight stations, economic zones, cold-chain infrastructure, and contract logistics.

Under the Beyond Boundaries initiative, the first container design was brought to life by local artist Sadhna Prasad, and pays homage to the Master Blaster himself, with the first 10 containers being inspired by Tendulkar’s legacy.

The initiative will be amplified throughout the course of the tournament via the ICC broadcast, with a bespoke graphic showing that 10 kits will be donated for every 100 runs scored. All kit donations will be made via the containers.

The Seva Kutirs, spread across far-off places in Madhya Pradesh inhabited by tribal people and supported by The Sachin Tendulkar foundation.

For residents of far-off villages in districts like Sehore and Sheopur in Madhya Pradesh, sustenance is a struggle. There are issues of accessibility and other factors that make basic amenities hard to attain. The likes of Ramkalibai, Kusumbai, Kavitabai, and many others, who hail from these districts, share a unified dream of seeing their children get their rightful education and do something substantial in life. They do not want their children to go through the same struggles they have had to go through.

Taking their first steps with their eyes alight with the same dreams as their parents, the likes of Pinkee, Sandhya, Anjali, and several others, would come regularly to the Seva Kutirs set up in various parts of Sehore and Sheopur, among other districts. These Seva Kutirs are supported by the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation.

The Seva Kutirs, spread across far-off places in Madhya Pradesh inhabited by tribal people, have been a one-stop destination for underprivileged children, for years. Supported by the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, these Seva Kutirs have been taking care of the enrolled children with nutritious food, complementary education, and by engaging them in sports. These children lacked basic amenities for growth and had to traverse long, arduous roads for education. With the coming of the Seva Kutirs, they not only get nutritional food two times a day but also get the scope to flourish with quality education.

In his inning off the field, Sachin Tendulkar has been batting for the development of underprivileged kids through various associations. Apart from his support to the Seva Kutirs by Parivaar Foundation, he has also contributed to building a residential school for the children from the tribal areas in Madhya Pradesh, where they would get the best of health, education, and sports. The school benefits hundreds of children.

Sachin’s association has been fruitful for the young beneficiaries as the Seva Kutirs have acted as a launch pad for them. Twenty of them, including the likes of Pinkee, Sandhya, and Anjali, have recently been selected for admission into the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). They have all passed the selection test for Class VI, with flying colours. The Eklavya Schools, set up by the Government of India, cater to candidates from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.

This news bears tremendous importance in the lives of these young girls and boys and their parents. They all hail from a meagre background with their parents being daily wagers or small farmers. Many of these young girls and boys are the first generation from their families to get an education. For most of them, continuing education after Class VIII becomes a hurdle for various reasons. Getting admission into EMRS is, therefore, a humble milestone in itself in their lives. With hopes in their eyes and determination at every step, they would get a chance to curve their paths.

This has certainly increased the strike rate of the inning Sachin is on, with the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation assisting hundreds of children and youth to get quality education, health, and sports facilities.

It is important to acknowledge our role in contributing towards the nation’s strides towards prosperity. Being a responsible citizen by voting regularly in elections can be one of the primary steps.

Since independence, India has seen boundless growth. But for a country shaped by generational diversities, it is also incumbent upon us, as citizens, to recognise the weight of responsibility that accompanies Our freedom.

Unity in Diversity — is a phrase which captures the essence of India, the world’s largest democracy. We have had our fair share of historical struggles to reach this point today, when we are leading globally across various sectors.

As we observe the 76th Independence Day, it is important for us to remember that the freedom earned by our predecessors brings with ita sense of responsibility to contribute to the nation’s growth.

As a society, we convey mutual respect for each other irrespective of our beliefs and ideologies. In anything we do, we exhibit a sense of brotherhood and spirit of harmony.

As in cricket, it is not individuals with different faiths and beliefs Playing, it is always 11 Indian players on the field, playing for one nation. It is also Indians, and not Hindus, Sikhs, Christians or Muslims, cheering for India. This applies to any field or sector that contributes to nation building.

During my playing days, I was made aware of this sense of responsibility to be above all personal achievements. Even if 1 had the right to play my way, it was never the just thing to go for boundaries on every ball; I had to play dots or rotate strike, bowl or field in any
position, as the team and situation demanded. This sense of responsibility for the greater good of the team was inculcated in every player.
This holds true for anything we do as citizens of the country, while staying true to upholding the dignity of all.

Our idea of freedom transcends race, religion, gender or any other demographic multiplicities. The nation has taken leaps in gender sensitivity and inclusivity. We now have Droupadi Murmu as the first tribal woman President of India. We have women sportspersons coming from the remotest corners of the country and excelling at the global stage. In cricket, we have recently seen the introduction of pay parity for all and various other measures to make the game more inclusive, by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCD).

These kinds of transformations encourage generations to come forward and contribute responsibly to the nation’s growth. Events such as the recent launch of the Chandrayaan-3 mark paradigm shifts in the nation’s progress.

Scientists such as Ritu Karidhal Srivastava stand as a beacon of inspiration for her pivotal role in the lunar mission. It not only propels the nation’s scientific progress, but also makes us aware as citizens of the endless possibilities we have as a nation.

It is, however, also important to acknowledge our role in contributing towards the nation’s strides towards prosperity. Being a responsible citizen by voting regularly in elections can be one of the primary steps we can take to ensure seamless functioning of the democratic processes.

Through voting, we get to be discerning citizens by casting our ballots not just for ourselves but for the betterment of society as a whole.

There can be various other ways through which we can make a collective impact. There can be various other ways through which we can make a collective impact.

Little things such as having the utmost respect for all, following traffic rules, protecting our natural environment, keeping our surroundings clean, being an alert consumer, taking care of the elderly and the needy, building a cohesive environment for all, and so on, can help us create a better place for ourselves.

These smaller yet impactful practices can very well be an ode to our reclaimed freedom.

For a country shaped by generational diversities, it is incumbent upon us, as citizens of India, to recognise the weight of responsibility that accompanies our freedom.

A comprehensive awareness of the roles and responsibilities can be crucial as we envisage the nation’s progression from the 77th till the 100th year of Independence, and beyond.