Nandini set to sponsor 2024-25 Indian Super League football tournament
Bengaluru: Nandini, the popular dairy brand owned by Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), is gearing up to sponsor the upcoming season of the Indian Super League (ISL) for 2024-25. This move by the state’s renowned dairy cooperative is aimed to promote its brand during the six-month-long sports event.
The 11th season of the ISL, scheduled to run from September 2024 to March 2025, will feature 163 football matches, with thirteen teams competing. According to a report by Money Control, KMF has recently floated a tender for firms to manage and promote the Nandini brand throughout the tournament.
KMF Managing Director M.K. Jagadish revealed that the cooperative is aiming for central sponsorship of the ISL, incorporating brand promotions on LED boards, presentation backdrops, dugout areas, and kiosks at all match venues. Additionally, Nandini will gain 300 seconds of exposure on television and OTT platforms, along with social media management throughout the ISL season, Jagadish added.
In a bid to expand its market reach, Nandini has also launched its whey-based energy drink, ‘Nandini Splash,’ in the U.S., making it available during the World Cup. KMF's MD highlighted that this move is part of a broader strategy to establish Nandini as a global brand.
Expanding further, a senior KMF official mentioned that Nandini is set to introduce its dairy products, including milk, curd, butter, and ghee, in the Delhi market. As part of a trial, these products were transported to Delhi by road, a journey of 56 hours, with the quality remaining unaffected.
Nandini has already made headlines by sponsoring the Scotland and Ireland cricket teams during the T20 World Cup, marking a milestone as the first Indian dairy brand to sponsor international cricket teams. This achievement gained widespread attention during the Karnataka Assembly elections in 2023.
The brand's prominence in Karnataka became a talking point ahead of the state elections when Amul announced plans to sell curd in Bengaluru. Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai clarified that Amul would not replace Nandini in Karnataka, assuring that both brands would coexist in the state's market.
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Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
