GECs
McDonald’s celebrates World Children’s Day
MUMBAI: World Children’s Day at McDonald’s, which is the company’s largest annual fundraiser for children, turned five years old. Entertainers, musicians, executives and children came together in New York City for a worldwide celebration to support fundraising efforts conducted in over 100 countries for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC(R)) and other children’s causes.
Dancing With The Stars season finale, winner Emmitt Smith and dance partner Cheryl Burke, along with runner-up Mario Lopez and dance partner Karina Smirnoff, joined McDonald’s CEO Jim Skinner, World Children’s Day global ambassador Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, actress Sofia Vergara and other entertainers at the 42nd Street McDonald’s. After meeting with children and families staying at the Ronald McDonald House of New York City, event participants stopped behind the counter to help raise funds for World Children’s Day, informs an official release.
“McDonald’s has a rich tradition of being a good community partner and neighbour,” said Skinner. “As the needs of the world’s children have increased over time, so has the need for companies and citizens to play a more active role in affecting positive change.”
For the fifth consecutive year, World Children’s Day at McDonald’s will take place in almost 31,000 restaurants around the world. McDonald’s customers, franchisees and suppliers have raised funds to help support more than 260 Ronald McDonald Houses, 105 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, 31 Ronald McDonald Care Mobile programs and other children’s causes around the world.
A new global World Children’s Day TV campaign includes the voiceover of actor Paul Newman and features children and families staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The commercial aired in the US from 10 to 19 November and in select countries around the world throughout the month, adds the release.
Additionally, the Duchess of York taped a Public Service Announcement (PSA) about World Children’s Day at McDonald’s. The PSA, which will air throughout November, reminds viewers they can help improve the lives of children around the world by participating in World Children’s Day and supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Its programs, the Ronald McDonald House(R), Ronald McDonald Family Room and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, are grassroots-driven to enable the Charity to offer help where children in their own communities. RMHC and its global network of local Chapters have awarded more than $440 million in grants and program services to children’s programs around the world.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
