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Coke [V] Popstars visit the Capital
NEW DELHI: Delhi girls Neeti Mohan and Vasudha Sharma, Jaipur’s Jimmy Felix and Mumbai’s Sangeet Haldipur, the band members of Coke [V] Popstars 2, visited the Capital today as part of the homecoming celebrations for their band members.
The band, formed out of a nationwide search for the best musical talent, debuted with a live performance in Mumbai recently.
To showcase their talent, Coke [V] Popstars 2 performed two songs from their soon-to-be released album Tumse Hi Pyar composed by Ashutosh and Sanjay Divecha, in front of a select press gathering at The Grand. The first one was a romantic ballad and the second, Apni Har Subah Nayee , a peppy, dance track composed by Salim Sulaiman.
Coke [V] Popstars 2 will also get Delhiites to groove to their music, with a special performance at the Whisky Bar on 17 September.
Speaking on the occasion, Channel [V] creative director and head of programming Amar Deb said, “With Coke [V] Popstars 2, we created a stage for the youth to showcase their talent and, with the on-air programming, we gave viewers across the country an opportunity to share every emotion that the contestants went through. These four young musicians have been given a wonderful platform to present their talent.”
Deb said the response they received at the recent performance was phenomenal. He said, “We wish them the very best in their journey to create music that will make an impact not just on the Indian music scene, but internationally as well.”
Neeti Mohan and Vasudha Sharma were thrilled to return home as celebrities. Mohan said, “It feels great to be back home. I am delighted to perform with our band for the people of my city. We’ve put in a lot of hard work over the past couple of months and we hope that with our maiden effort we can connect with music lovers from across the country.”
Sharma added, “It all seems like a dream. Four months ago, I was just one of the 3,000 participants from Delhi, waiting for my turn outside the audition hall and today we are here to perform as the new Popstars. The transformation that has been brought upon us, not just as individuals, but also as a band, is phenomenal. It is a wonderful feeling to celebrate our success with our family and friends.”
Coke [V] Popstars 2 have undergone rigorous training over the past two months. The new band has been trained in music, dance, vocals, grooming, health and fitness by some of the best in the industry like Bhavdeep Jaipurwale, Dr Rama Vaidyanathan, Terence Lewis, Rocky S, Mickey Mehta and Chaya Momaya.
The new Coke [V] Popstars 2 band members were chosen from a hunt that covered seven cities across the country featuring over 15,000 young aspirants and hours of rigorous auditions by the judging panel comprising singers Palash Sen and Mehnaz along with Channel [V] VJ Purab.
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.
