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DNA, Nokia, Headlines Today get jiggy with Shaggy
MUMBAI: India is all set to reverberate to the roller-coaster music of “Mr. Boombastic” as he raps the country with his reggae hits. DNA Networks today announced that promotions were heating up for the much-awaited concerts by Shaggy, who along with his 17 member troupe, will be performing at Mumbai and Delhi.
Shaggy will perform in New Delhi on 1 October at the Dilli Haat Grounds, Pitampura and at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai on 3 October. The Shaggy Lucky Day Live concerts have Nokia, Headlines Today and Pepsi as some of its sponsors.
As the media partner for the concert, Headlines Today has implemented a number of programming initiatives around Shaggy. The channel will air an in-depth interview with Shaggy as well as telecast a couple of songs during the concert along with exclusive backstage coverage.
As part of the promotions, Headlines Today is carrying factoids on the singer, which will continue till 30 September. The channel is also running two contests – ‘Shaggadelic’ and ‘Shaggadelic Music Vote’ – to increase viewer interactivity.
The 10-day ‘Shaggadelic’ contest is based on a simple question about Shaggy and is already underway. On the other hand, the ‘Shaggadelic’ Music Vote, which start from Saturday, comprises three select songs by Shaggy which would be put to a week-long voting by the viewers.
Based on the channel’s 2424 SMS platform, these contests will complement the programming line-up around Shaggy. Winners will be given prizes ranging from tickets to the concert, to various memorabilia associated with the singer.
Also, Nokia, who is bringing Shaggy to India, has created a slick and aspirational limited edition mobile phone offer with Shaggy merchandise. The 322i phone that comes in this promotion has been a hit with the youth. In Mumbai and Delhi, the Hutch Network will offer downloads of Shaggy images for wallpapers and screen savers including ring tones and other mobile applications.
The ‘Pepsi Magic on Wheels’ is visiting all the youth hangouts, wherein a unique mobile LED screen is being showcased to project popular Shaggy videos and also give away merchandise with opportunities for consumers to win tickets to the show.
The recently concluded Shaggy contest by Romanov was a great hit with the youth, where consumers got to win tickets and cool merchandise for the concerts. DNA Networks MD T Venkat Vardhan said, “With all promotions going on simultaneously, all the road shows will surely lead way for Shaggy fans and the Reggae music lovers to attend the concert in large numbers. DNA, known for bringing in almost all of the international stars that have visited India, is pulling out all stops in Mumbai and Delhi to make the Shaggy concert memorable.”
The live performance will feature not only Shaggy’s super hits from the last decade but also new songs like Hotshot, Luv Me, Luv Me and Get My Party On, which have only bolstered his reputation as reggae’s tongue-in-cheek bad boy with lyrics that are sure to move the audience into an irresistible groove.
The ticket for the concert can be purchased at Nokia Priority Dealers, all Planet M outlets and also through a special offer on Times Card.
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.
