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‘HBO Buzz’ visiting Bangalore
HBO the channel which claims to be ‘Simply The Best’ has announced that its new initiative ‘HBO Buzz’ will visit Bangalore the Garden City of India tomorrow and the day after.
Through the venture the channel takes to the streets in a bid to find out what viewers think of programming, particularly properties like ‘Friday Double Bill’ and ‘Saturday Nights’. ‘HBO Buzz’ has already visited Mumbai and Delhi an official release informs. After Bangalore the next stop is Kolkata.
In Bangalore, ‘HBO Buzz’ will travel to various localities, hotspots, popular markets, educational institutes and even company campuses to get viewer feedback on HBO and its programming.
The road show will involve a MC moving around the city interacting with the crowd, asking questions, shortlisting and rewarding some of the respondents. The show will also include games that will be played and winners rewarded on the spot. The HBO Bus will be parked in some key market areas also and the MC will make enough noise around the area. Through loud music a lot of buzz will be created. The MC will also give away HBO goodies and promotional material on the spot. The selected winners will get to say their say about the movie channel live on HBO. The event is being promoted through press ads, radio spots, online through the channel’s website and branding in colleges and theatres.
An official release informs that ‘HBO Buzz’ has been specially conceptualised for the Indian market as an interactive platform to meet and talk to the viewers and for them to be seen and heard on the channel.
Speaking on the initiative senior director, on-air promotion & production Karen Ng said: “Taking to the streets of India with HBO Buzz, showcasing India’s viewing population and its exotic, beautiful locations is a way of bringing the channel closer to its audience.”
Director marketing HBO Asia Shruti Bajpai said: “HBO Buzz is an exciting on-ground activity that will optimise and integrate with HBO’s on-air personality.”
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.
