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Big Magic sets the stage for festive season
MUMBAI: With the festive season coming up, Big Magic promises to give its viewers an extra dose of entertainment under the umbrella of ‘Mahotsav’ from 25 September onwards touching festivals like Navratri, Dussera, Karva Chauth, Diwali, Christmas and New Year.
Navratri will have special episodes of Ajab Gajab Ghar Jamai and Har Mushkil ka Hal Akbar Birbal, Karva Chauth will focus on all the key shows and Diwali is being planned as a special two hours of musical entertainment on 18 Oct from 8 pm onwards.
Each programming spike has been tailored on the basis of research and feedback from audiences in its core markets across the Hindi heartland, to ensure an engaging and entertaining watch for the entire family.
With some of the biggest faces in comedy like Kiku Sharada, Delnaaz Irani, Kishwar Merchant, Upasana Singh, Humani Shivpuri and Sumit Vats, from across its key shows of Har Mushkiil Ka Hal Akbar-Birbal, Ajab Gajab Ghar Jamai and Uff! Yeh Nadaniyaan, the stage is set.
The channel credits itself for authentic festive celebrations layered with comedy to ensure the content resonates excellently with its audiences, while marketers get optimal ROI for their investment.
In the recent past, festive specials for Eid and Teej on the show Har Mushkil ka Hal Akbar Birbal delivered an increase in viewership for the show across the HSM market. This special, played up the festive nuances along with some of the best performances by its artists.
In addition to the regular festive spikes, the Big Diwali Mela, the Diwali special, will see the most exciting rendition of celebrations around Diwali with artists from across shows coming together for a special celebration.
Each festive property will see a multi-media marketing campaign come into play across television, radio, OOH, digital and on ground. Additionally, the network strength of the nation’s number one radio network 92.7 BIG FM and Bihar and Jharkhand’s number one regional TV channel – Big Magic Ganga, ensures partners on board the festive offerings on the channel will get maximum value.
Commenting on the festive line up Reliance Broadcast Network COO Lavneesh Gupta believes that the festive spikes have been mapped to ensure high relevance, community connect and excellent engagement. “Big Magic’s reach to over 85 million households across the HSM’s, coupled with the unduplicated incremental reach of 10 per cent which the channel delivers across the core markets of UP, MP and Rajasthan makes it an excellent platform for marketers to ride on, this festive season.”
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
