MAM
MS Dhoni joins Olympiad toppers on Allen Online series Rise to the Top
Episode with Aadish Jain and Krishnarghya Pramanik premieres at 7 pm.
MUMBAI: From cricket pitches to academic podiums, the conversation about excellence is crossing fields. Allen Online is set to release the second episode of its student conversation series Rise to the Top, featuring a discussion between cricket legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni and two young Olympiad achievers. The episode will premiere on the organisation’s Youtube channel at 7 pm today.
The conversation brings together Dhoni with students Aadish Jain from Haryana and Krishnarghya Pramanik from West Bengal, both recognised for their achievements in international Olympiad competitions.
Jain’s journey highlights perseverance. After failing in his first attempt, he continued preparing and eventually secured a gold medal at the International Junior Science Olympiad. Pramanik, meanwhile, achieved International Rank 1 in a global Mathematics Olympiad at a young age through online learning.
The Rise to the Top series aims to bring accomplished students and well known personalities together for candid conversations about ambition, discipline and the mindset needed to succeed in competitive environments.
In the episode, Dhoni discusses preparation strategies, curiosity driven learning and the pressure students often experience while preparing for demanding academic goals.
Drawing parallels between sports and academics, he emphasised the importance of maintaining balance while striving for excellence.
“It is very important to switch on and switch off,” Dhoni said during the conversation. “For me, riding bikes or playing sports like badminton and padel helps me recharge. I believe students should explore different sports early, because unless you try something, you will never know what you are naturally good at.”
Dhoni also encouraged students to remain curious and ask questions as part of the learning process, noting that curiosity and the willingness to seek answers play a crucial role in personal growth.
The episode also touches on the role of mentors and parents in shaping young achievers. Both students acknowledged the support and guidance they received from teachers and family members while preparing for their academic milestones.
Through the Rise to the Top series, Allen Online hopes to create a platform where students can learn from real journeys of persistence and achievement while gaining practical insights into managing ambition, pressure and curiosity in competitive academic fields.
The episode featuring Dhoni alongside Aadish Jain and Krishnarghya Pramanik will be available on the Allen Online Youtube channel from 7 pm today.
Brands
HP launches Smart Champs learning game show with JioStar for students
Sanya Malhotra hosts quiz series blending fun, learning and prizes
NEW DELHI: HP India has teamed up with JioStar to launch HP Smart Champs, a new learning-based game show designed to make education engaging for school students across the country.
Hosted by Sanya Malhotra, the 10-episode series brings together students from Grades 5 to 9, who compete in teams through quiz and puzzle-based challenges that test knowledge, logic and teamwork. The show will begin streaming on JioHotstar from April 11 and will premiere on Nick on April 18, with weekend episodes airing at 7 PM.
Powered by HP Smart Tank printers, the format integrates print-based learning into the gameplay, using worksheets, clues and visual problem-solving tools to encourage hands-on participation. The idea is to move students beyond rote memorisation and towards more applied, curiosity-led learning.
The competition promises high stakes, with winners set to receive a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, while runners-up will take home Rs 5 lakh. Additional rewards include HP AI laptops, Smart Tank printers and accessories, while the winning school will be awarded an HP Smart Tech Lab.
Speaking about the initiative, HP India managing director Ipsita Dasgupta said, “At HP, we believe nurturing India’s youth is key to the country’s progress, and technology plays a foundational role in enabling this. With HP Smart Champs, we wanted to create something beyond traditional learning, a fun-filled platform where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking take centre stage.”
On the show’s reach, JioStar head entertainment sales Mahesh Shetty said, “HP Smart Champs reflects how children today learn through exploration and experience. With Nick and JioHotstar, we are creating a multi-screen approach that is both engaging and meaningful.”
Highlighting the role of print, HP India senior director print Satish Kumar said, “The show brings print-based learning to life in an engaging format, helping students develop deeper understanding through hands-on experiences.”
The journey to the finale began with participation from over 1,000 schools across 26 cities, narrowing down to 34 finalists who will compete in a studio showdown in Mumbai.
With its blend of entertainment, education and technology, HP Smart Champs is positioning itself as more than just a quiz show. It is a nationwide push to make learning interactive, accessible and, above all, a lot more fun.
