At a time when the world often celebrates celebrity and fame, an award-winning restaurant in Southeast London chose to celebrate something far more powerful—courage, resilience and the indomitable spirit of India.
Chillika Restaurant, recently crowned the English Curry Awards 2026 – Best of London Restaurant and recognised among the highly recommended restaurants in the London Borough of Bexleyheath, hosted members of the Indian Physically Challenged and Differently-Abled Cricket Team as a special gesture of respect, recognition and encouragement ahead of their upcoming international fixtures.
The event was graced by Mr Pradip Das, Former Chairman and Managing Director of IREDA, along with prominent community representatives and members of different Indian communities in the UK. The gathering brought together people from diverse backgrounds with one shared purpose—to honour athletes whose determination and achievements have inspired millions.
At the heart of the initiative were Chillika founders Partha Sarathi Panda and Subhakanta Das, who envisioned the evening not simply as a meal for the players, but as an expression of dignity, warmth and respect. They were supported by fellow Director Debasmita Mohapatra, who played an important role in bringing the event together and extending Chillika’s hospitality to the team and guests. The initiative was further supported by Strategic Partner Capt. Arun Kar (Retd.), an Odisha-origin British entrepreneur, investor and military veteran.
The Indian Physically Challenged Cricket Team has consistently demonstrated that true strength is measured not by physical limitations but by courage, perseverance and the determination to overcome adversity. The players honoured at Chillika included Jayesh Parmar, Tarun, Rizwan Altaf Bhat, Arjun Rajesh Gawre, Kuldeep Singh, Yashwanth Naidu Ravuri, Vivek Kumar, Sudarsun Elangovan, Hilal Ahmad Wani, Sai Akash Saivamani, Ravindra Gopinath Sante, Yogendra Singh, Vrushant Sandip Gunjal, Rajesh Irappa Kannur, Majid Ah Magray and Shiva Shankara Guntiganapalli Subbarayappa.
The delegation was accompanied by Head Coach Rohit Jhalani, Assistant Coach Dev Dutt, Fielding Coach Rohit Sharma, H&C Coach Ramswaroop Saini, Social Media Manager Vasan Giri, Physio Mayank Pushkar, Team Manager Vineet Malhotra and Logistic Manager Dhiraj Harde. Officials from the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI), including Sumit Jain and Vinit Agrawal, were also present, reflecting the wider efforts to create opportunities and platforms for differently-abled athletes across the country.
The players were welcomed in true Indian style, with warmth, respect and heartfelt appreciation. Representatives from diverse Indian communities came together in an atmosphere of camaraderie and shared pride, making the evening more than a celebratory gathering. For the players, it was an acknowledgement that their achievements and determination are recognised far beyond the cricket field. The encouragement served as a morale boost ahead of their upcoming fixtures and reflected the strong support of the Indian diaspora in the UK.
The evening also reflected Chillika’s larger commitment to community, culture and social purpose. Known for its authentic Odia cuisine and Indian hospitality, the restaurant has increasingly become a platform for cultural celebrations, charitable initiatives and community engagement. Honouring the differently-abled cricket team reinforced Chillika’s belief that courage and determination can overcome barriers. Above all, the gathering carried a message of Nation First—celebrating achievement, unity and the spirit of champions defined not by circumstances, but by character and perseverance.
