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College Rivals orchestrates exciting blend of dance and esports in Mumbai
Mumbai: Taking cues from the inaugural Olympic Esports Series, College Rivals, India’s largest esports talent hunt, brought an electrifying blend of dance and esports to the streets of Mumbai through flash mobs at Carter Road, Marine Drive, and Juhu on Saturday and Sunday.
The first edition of the Olympic Esports Series in Singapore last year included the competitive title Just Dance which is a motion-based music video game that challenges players to mimic the choreography of on-screen dancers using motion controllers.
Aiming to showcase the dynamic synergy between dance and Esports in a similar engaging manner, College Rivals set the stage for an immersive experience of flash mobs for audiences at Carter Road on 17 February followed by Marine Drive and Juhu on 18 February.
The performances were set to the ‘Rivalry’ anthem, a song earlier released by Ampverse, Asia’s largest ecosystem of gaming communities and IPs, as a tribute to the gaming ecosystem, which reflected their commitment to the community.
This innovative initiative, featuring the professional dance group ‘Dramatic Mob,’ serves as a testament to College Rivals’ commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining the Esports landscape in India.
College Rivals, the inaugural intellectual property of Ampverse in collaboration with DMI Finance, has tapped into the immense talent pool within college campuses across the country and revolutionized India’s Esports landscape by providing a pioneering platform for students to showcase their gaming prowess.
The grand finale of College Rivals will be a one-of-a-kind experiential LAN event where 28 finalists selected from colleges nationwide will compete individually across six titles on March 3 at Nesco, Mumbai.
In addition to flash mobs, College Rivals also spread cheer by offering complimentary tea to students across various colleges, including HR College, KC College, Jai Hind College, RD National, Rizvi, Xaviers, Mithibai, NM, and NMIMS in South Bombay, Bandra, and Vile Parle from 15 to 17 February.
As part of this activation, they provided the opportunity to obtain free tickets to their grand finale for a select few who participated in contests and activities.
Fans can book their tickets here: https://in.bookmyshow.com/sports/college-rivals-grand-finale/ET00385748
For those who are unable to witness the action live, the grand finale will be streamed live on Youtube, Facebook Gaming, Twitch, Kick, Glance, JioGames, JioTV, Loco, and Rooter.
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.
