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Big Ganga all set to bring its festive offering ‘Faguaa 2021
MUMBAI: Marching into the month of Holi, known as Faguaa in the Purvanchal region, sees one eagerly await one of the biggest festivals in the country. With the aim to add colour in the lives of its viewers, Big Ganga is once again all set to bring a vibrant Holi special line-up with Faguaa 2021.The celebration of Faguaa will be weaved around a specific theme to make it more engaging and entertaining. Regaling its audience wholeheartedly, the two-hour musical show, clubbed with storytelling, will see the biggest names of the Bhojpuri industry coming together for this year’s celebration.
Big Ganga’s Faguaa is one of the marquee festive properties on the channel and taking the legacy forward, the gala celebrations this year will feature two hours of rib-tickling moments, singing and dance performances. Over the past three years, the Faguaa slot has always performed more than double in the Bhojpuri category and its own platform with the average performance ratings of Faguaa being more than 0.75 TVR (Nccs 2+, BH, U+R).
The celebrations in the past have witnessed the biggest celebrity associations across the industry with stars like Mika Singh, Pawan Singh, Khesari Lal Yadav, Ravi Kishan, Manoj Tiwari among others mesmerising audiences with their performances. In what is a fitting testament to the event’s popularity, the previous edition of Faguaa witnessed more than a thousand live spectators during this single-day event.
Zee Biskope and Big Ganga business head Amarpreet Singh Saini said, “Faguaa is one of the biggest celebrations in the region and we, at Big Ganga, with our property, have created a legacy which has left behind its mark on the hearts and minds of our ardent fans. This year is going to be even more special as our offering, which is based on a specific theme, will see audiences revel in the Bhojpuri celebrations.”
Big Ganga is known for entertaining the audience with its unique content all around the year while adding value in their lives through family-oriented offerings, festive events and shows like Jai Chhathi Mai, MemSaab no 1 etc. With more and more in the bucket to offer, the channel is redefining entertainment and original content for its regional audience through recently launched family game show Muraitha Maidaan and a few other upcoming offerings.
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.
