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Indian visitors to Hong Kong going up
MUMBAI: Indian visitor arrivals to Hong Kong continue on its upward climb. For the first ten months of 2004, Hong Kong has now welcomed 2,06,342 arrivals from India recording a growth of 45.8 per cent over the same period in 2003.
According to an official release from Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), October 2004 arrivals were their best ever for October at 2,015,420, only just short of the landmark 2.07 million recorded in August.
HKTB executive director Clara Chong commented that the industry’s positive growth momentum was now becoming very clear. “Earlier in the year it was difficult to benchmark our progress accurately due to the low comparison base of 2003 – but now we’re comparing performance against previous records and still surpassing them,” she said.
“With a few exceptions that the HKTB is addressing, we are no longer talking about recovery, but about strong organic growth. We’re especially pleased with the performance of our major long-haul markets. The United States is on target to reach its highest-ever total this year, as is Australia, while the United Kingdom should achieve its best performance since 1996.”
For the first ten months of 2004 overall, Hong Kong has now welcomed 17,773,512 arrivals, growth of 47.4 per cent on the same period in 2003 and 33.4 per cent on 2002. This already takes Hong Kong well past its previous best total for a full year, the 16.57 million arrivals recorded in 2002. In view of this, the HKTB has recently raised its forecast for the whole of 2004 from 20.49 million to 21.36 million.
The average occupancy rate across all categories of hotels and tourist guest houses in October was 89 per cent, compared with 85 per cent for the same month in 2003. The average achieved hotel room rate across all hotel categories and districts was HK$1,065, nearly 16 per cent improvement on the October 2003 figure, adds the release.
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.
