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ESPN School Quiz kicks off on 10 May
MUMBAI: The much-awaited ESPN School Quiz 2005 goes on air from Tuesday, 10 May. Hosted by commentator and presenter, quizmaster – Harsha Bhogle, the competition will have 62 on-air episodes starting with a curtain raiser on the launch day.
The ‘Best of 3’ national finals of this year’s ESPN School Quiz will be aired on 1 August – 3 August, 2005. The inaugural episode of the quiz will be showcased at 5:00 pm, 10 May.
Launched in 2000, ESPN School Quiz has shown student participation grow by almost 5 times in the last 4 years, claims the channel in an official release.
The on-ground events for ESPN School Quiz 2005 were organized in 10 cities – Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Bangalore Guwahati, Chandigarh and Delhi. More than 3,500 teams took the written test held in 40 cities all over the country. Only 108 teams from the initial 3500 have been selected for the on-air version. Schools from as far away as Imphal, Surat, Jammu and Thiruvananthapuram participated in the quiz making a truly national event, adds the release.
According to the Quizmaster Harsha Bhogle, “It is an overwhelming experience to interact with young students from such diverse geographies. I think the attitudinal difference between students of the metros vis-?-vis small cities has progressively reduced. This years’ school quiz reflects the changing paradigms of Indian society, the youth of today is much more confident as compared to my time.
The ESPN School Quiz 2005 is being sponsored by Alpenliebe lollipop in association with Parle G.
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.
