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BBC World signs 8 sponsorship agreements in India
MUMBAI: BBC World has signed eight significant new sponsorship agreements in India, for its programmes and short-form vignettes. The companies and the programmes with which they are associated are: Wheels – Power, Click Online and Sport Today – Tata Indigo Marina, India Business Report – Microsoft, Suzuki Grand Vitara and Tata, Holiday – Panasonic Ecam, FASTTRACK – Sony Handycam and ICICI Bank, Talking Movies – Hutch and Kenstar, University Challenge – Microsoft and Tata Sumo Victa, The Ultimate vignettes – Airtel Enterprises.
The new series of Wheels is being sponsored by Power for its entire 13-week run this autumn. Wheels has introduced an exciting interactive format with a team of new presenters and new segments.
Commenting on the sponsorship, HPCL manager – business development (retail) Sanjay Grover says, “We are happy to associate with the new series of Wheels for Power, the performance-enhancing petrol from the HPCL brand stable. The fast-paced, exciting and informative programme offers a great platform to communicate with our target audience of discerning vehicle owners who are also the core audience of the show.”
Among the other new sponsorships on the channel is a deal with Tata Indigo Marina, which has recently signed up to sponsor BBC World’s IT show Click Online and Sport Today, the daily round-up of sports news and results for six weeks from mid-October. Microsoft, Suzuki Grand Vitara and Tata are associating themselves with the business programming on the channel’s India Business Report strand until 14 November, while the travel destination show Holiday is being sponsored by Panasonic ECam.
BBC World’s weekly travel news analysis programme for the business and leisure sectors, FASTTRACK, is being jointly sponsored for six weeks by Sony Handycam and ICICI Bank. For three months from 20 October, Talking Movies, the weekly film review and magazine show, is being jointly backed by Hutch and Kenstar. Microsoft and Tata Sumo Victa will continue to sponsor University Challenge until 7 November.
In addition to these agreements around programming, Airtel Enterprises will sponsor The Ultimate, a new series of vignettes, that explore some of the most extravagant and opulent items and experiences available. These range from the world’s most famous diamond and the biggest private jet to the most adventurous safari and the most extravagant yacht.
BBC World India head of advertising sales Seema Mohapatra says, “We are extremely happy with the new sponsorships on BBC World, which reiterate the strong faith our advertisers have in the channel. The unique programming content and clutter-free environment enable advertisers to reach their target audience effectively and consistently. BBC World continues to provide its viewers with the best international news and analysis along with lifestyle programming, and I’m sure that innovative creative solutions for our advertisers within this strong programming environment will reinforce our commitment and long-standing association.”
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.
