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NBC Sports to air N. American Intl Auto Show live
MUMBAI: NBC Sports will showcase 12 production vehicles and five other models to a national audience during its live, two-hour special from the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), which is to be held on 23 January, 2005 at Cobo Center in Detroit.
“NBC Sports is looking forward to presenting the International Auto Show to a national audience,” said producer Sam Flood, who is also the coordinating producer of NASCAR on NBC. “This show will allow all viewers the opportunity to get a first look at the newest and most interesting new cars of 2005.”
The first-time event will mark the closing day of the NAIAS, and will feature commentary from NBC’s NASCAR broadcast team of Allen Bestwick, Wally Dallenbach and Bennie Parsons. The NASCAR team will offer vehicle perspectives and test-drives of some of the world’s finest automobiles.
“Our unique partnership with NBC Sports offers substantial national exposure of the auto industry’s most anticipated event,” said Bill Cook, senior co-chairman of the NAIAS 2005. “It’s a natural fit for both organisations, reaching out to a broad range of viewers who love cars and will enjoy the participation of the NASCAR team during the live NBC Sports show.”
The two-hour program will re-air on Saturday, 29 January, 2005 on NBC Sports. This NAIAS-NBC Sports collaboration is the latest in recent media partnerships for the NAIAS 2005. On 2 June, the NAIAS named WDIV-TV 4, the NBC affiliate in Detroit, as the official local broadcast partner for the 2005 through 2007 shows. The local affiliate reaches more than 3.5 million adult viewers in metro Detroit and in Ontario, Canada.
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.
