The year 2025 in India was a whirlwind of unexpected turns, dramatic comebacks, and controversies that kept the nation hooked. In its annual tradition, The Sunday Times has released its satirical 'honours' list, offering a witty and often pointed commentary on the personalities and events that defined the past twelve months. From the cricket pitch to the political arena and the corporate boardroom, no sphere was spared its tongue-in-cheek recognition.
The Award Winners: A Mix of Sport, Politics, and Corporate Gaffes
The awards covered a vast spectrum of Indian life. In sports, the Chance pe Dance Award went to cricketer Shafali Verma. She entered the Women's T20 World Cup squad as an unexpected injury replacement and then delivered a stellar performance, scoring 87 runs off 78 balls and taking two vital wickets in the final to secure victory for India.
Politics saw multiple 'winners'. The Portfolio Diversification Award was bestowed upon Smriti Irani for her seamless navigation between political and television roles. The Oppn-heimer Award went to Rahul Gandhi for his explosive allegations about electoral roll fraud in Bihar, which ultimately failed to resonate with voters. Meanwhile, the Stung Parivar Award highlighted the intensified sibling rivalry within the Lalu Yadav clan following a bruising election defeat in Bihar.
Corporate and Social Commentary Through Satire
The corporate world received its share of ribbing. The most talked-about was the Kaam Sutra Award given to the Chairman of Larsen & Toubro (L&T). He sparked national debate by suggesting people should work 90 hours a week, preferably including Sundays, and added a rhetorical question about how long one can stare at their wife. The aviation sector was not far behind, with IndiGo receiving the Hawa Hawaii Award for its apparent struggles in meeting new pilot rest rules and operational challenges.
Social and legal directives also came under scrutiny. The courts were given the Mission Impawsible Award for initially ordering that all of Delhi's stray dogs be placed in shelters within eight weeks, an order later modified. The government's cyber security push earned the Hum App Ke Award for the now-withdrawn mandate to preload the Sanchar Saathi app on all new phones, making it undeletable.
Notable Comebacks and Final Goodbyes of 2025
The year also witnessed significant returns and departures. Nitish Kumar staged a major political comeback, becoming the Chief Minister of Bihar for a record 10th term. In entertainment, music composer Himesh Reshammiya saw a massive resurgence in popularity, dubbed 'Capmania'. Actor Akshaye Khanna cemented his status as a formidable villain with two major film successes.
However, 2025 also marked several poignant endings. Indian cricket icons Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli surprised fans by retiring from Test cricket. Tennis star Rohan Bopanna, at 45 years old, retired after a glorious 20-year career. Technology saw the final shutdown of Skype as Microsoft focused on Teams, and the iconic MiG-21 fighter jet took its last flight after six decades in Indian skies.
From the baffled goons who threatened comedian Kunal Kamra but couldn't find him (earning the GPS Award) to the relatable plight of Bengaluru traffic highlighted by an astronaut, The Sunday Times list captured the essence of a year that was equal parts absurd, inspiring, and unforgettable.
