News Headline
MUMBAI: Toon channel Cartoon Network’s strategy is fairly straightforward. Build up the brand among its core audience – kids – by getting involved in their daily live
MUMBAI: Toon channel Cartoon Network’s strategy is fairly straightforward. Build up the brand among its core audience – kids – by getting involved in their daily live
The channel claims to have organised India’s biggest inter school festival, Activity 2002, to Mumbai on 9 and 10 August in suburban Bandra. Sponsored by Boomer and co-sponsored by Domino’s pizzas and Parle, the multi-city school festival kicked off earlier in Hyderabad on 26 July. It aims to encourage extra-curricular activities that help in all-round development of students, says a channel release. The activity is in line with the channel’s aim of encouraging learning among kids. Activity 2002 competitions such as quizzes, debates, sketching, cartooning and poetry recitation are designed to enhance imagination, creativity and inculcate on-the-spot-thinking amongst kids, says the release.
Cartoon Network says kids from over 95 Mumbai schools participated in the event. The cat and mouse duo of Tom and Jerry made a special appearance at the event to encourage fans. Adding more spice to the event was the interactive Cartoon Network stall, where kids relaxed by participating in toon games, wining exclusive prizes and playing on-line games from the channel’s website, www.cartoonnetworkindia.com.
Activity 2002 will next visit Pune on 16 and 17 August; Bangalore on 23 and 24 August; Chandigarh on 30 and 31 August; Delhi on 6 and 7 September and finally Chennai on 13 and 14 September. The Activity 2002 event has been organised by independent organisation Digikore-Activity, the release says.
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.
