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Discovery bags nine sponsors for Battle Ops
MUMBAI: Battle Ops, Discovery Communications India’s (DCIN) integrated television and digital offering, has received a resounding response from the advertiser community. The show, which will premiere on Discovery Channel and Veer on 26th January, has already sold out with nine sponsors on board.
Mahindra KUV and Thums Up have come on board as the co-presenting sponsors of Battle Ops while the series is co-powered by Swiggy, Suzuki Intruder, Parle G and Gillette. Idea, LIC of India and K P Foodshave come on board as the associate sponsors.
Discovery Communications India SVP and GM- South Asia Karan Bajaj said, “In response to the exploding multi-screen viewership in India, we wanted to break the linear and digital silos that currently exist in the market and offer a seamless consumer experience, a first-of-a-kind approach adopted by a broadcaster in India. We are delighted that this unique offering has been able to draw unprecedented advertiser interest. We will only accelerate from here on.”
He added, “Discovery is the undisputed leader in the infotainment category on television and our clutter-breaking digital-first content proposition on digital is designed to help us achieve our ambition of being the number 1 mobile content brand in the country.”
The scale of advertiser interest stands testimony to DCIN’s new strategy of aggregating television and digital audiences with an aim to multiply advertiser value. The company spotted a big market opportunity with no major at-scale digital/mobile-first channels and announced its plans to launch four direct-to-consumer, social and mobile-first channels.
Discovery Communications India VP-head of advertising sales Vikram Tanna said, “The military genre has always been a favourite with advertisers. The aggregation of premium audiences with the unique television plus digital offering makes our product highly differentiated and robust. In today’s multi-screen environment, reach multiplication across screens, with a strong and focused content ecosystem makes the combination of Discovery channel and Veer by Discovery, truly, a game changer.”
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.
