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More than 135 schools at ESPN School Quiz 2003
MUMBAI: The ESPN School Quiz launched into its third year today with a bang! The first regional round of the School Quiz 2003 saw over 5000 children from over 135 schools in and round Mumbai congregate at the Shanmukhananda Hall in Matunga at a competition hosted by popular ESPN STAR Sports presenter Harsha Bhogle.
Rajhans Vidyalaya (Andheri West) School team comprising Aditya Sharma and Bhavik Desai emerged the winners of the first regional round of ESPN School Quiz 2003 by beating the five other schools teams which had entered the final round. Milo is the presenting sponsor of ESPN School Quiz 2003.
Harsha Bhogale poses with winning team from Rajhans Vidyalaya. The trophy was presented by former India cricketer Ajit Wadekar More than 2000 schools are expected to participate in the ESPN School Quiz 2003 in 28 centers across India. After the qualifying rounds, 108 schools – 27 top teams from each of the four zones – will be selected to participate in the on-air ESPN School Quiz 2003.
Total prize money of Rs 1.5 million is at stake at ESPN School Quiz 2003. This year, the national winners could win up to a whopping Rs 700,000, which will be handed over to the school authorities towards the development of sports facilities in the school.
In addition, the individual team members of the winning team collect the ultimate prize as they, along with their school teacher, will go an all expenses paid trip to a major international sporting event of their choice featured on ESPN STAR Sports.
At the regional round held today, the winning team members of Rajhans Vidyalaya received gift hampers from ESPN and the sponsors. While the Best Cheering Team award went to the vociferous children of Lady Ratanbai And Sir Mathuradas Visanji Academy (Andheri East), the Best Banner award was collected by the creative students from Canossa High School (Mahim).
The next on-ground event will be held in Hyderabad on 24 September, 2002. The following is the schedule of upcoming ESPN School Quiz 2003 events to be held in various metros:
Hyderabad, Hari Hara Kala Bhavan 24 September
Kolkata, Science City Hall 4 October
Chennai, Kamaraj Memorial Hall 22 October
Bangalore, Dr Ambedkar Bhavan 30 October
New Delhi, Siri Fort Auditorium 12 November
In addition, written qualifying tests will be held in the following 22 cities – Shimla, Dehradun, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Patna, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Guwahati, Cuttak, Nagpur, Pune, Cochin, Siliguri, Jamshedpur, Ooty, Trivandrum, Vizag, Ranchi, Coimbatore, Panaji and Durgapur.
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.
