News Broadcasting
Nick India to encourage kids play activity 2 October
MUMBAI: It may be struggling to build up viewer cachet in India but Nickelodeon India will nonetheless participate in a global initiative – Worldwide Play of day.
On 2 October, the channel will encourage kids to get out and play the whole day.
Nickelodeon India is doing a community outreach programme its biggest to date. It has partnered with 400 schools, reaching half a million kids. Sixteen winners per school (6400 kids in total) will win passes to a Worldwide Day of Play event. Through rounds of creative games, children are being encouraged to invent their own games or could even alter existing ones.
On 2 October events will be held from 12 noon to 7 pm in Mumbai at EsselWorld where Nick star Jimmy Neutron will be making an appearance, in Delhi at Appu Ghar; in Kolkata at Nicco Park and in Bangalore at Megabowl.
Apart from the various rides and play areas of these parks, there will be a separate Nick Play Area where Nick will be conducting games and giving away prizes. One of the games that kids will play is French Cricket. Another game is called Hoop The Ball. As the name implies this is a different version of basketball for kids.
The other games that kids will play are Thumb Wrestling, Grass Hurdle Race, and Make Pyramids. Nick is airing Public Service Announcements (PSAs) in order to get the message across to kids.
On 2 October, Nick goes blank across the world from 12 pm to 3 pm. In India, however it will only go blank for an hour from 3-4 pm. At that time instead of the regular programming PSAs will air telling kids to go outdoors and have fun.
Nick India director business and operations Pradeep Hejmadi added, “The Worldwide Day of Play is just Nick’s way of kick-starting the habit of play in kids. We hope, though, that it will be celebrated everywhere, everyday and by every kid.”
On air through the rest of the afternoon, Nick will reflect the day’s activities and fun with updates and video footage from many of the day’s global events, as well as capping off with a live television special filled with kid energy, music, star-power and a healthy dose of interactive fun and games.
The Worldwide Day of Play is part of the broadcaster’s Lets Just Play campaign. Nickelodeon has identified its Let’s Just Play campaign as especially crucial in Asia, where stress, resulting from studies, tuition and the competitive nature of society, is a major part of a kids’ life. This is increasingly leading to a generally inactive lifestyle, which could further contribute to a growing trend of obesity amongst kids.
The purpose of the Let’s Just Play campaign is to address all these issues in a fun and entertaining way, without being preachy and to help kids learn about active, positive lifestyles in a completely non-competitive atmosphere.
Hejmadi added, “It’s not so much about organised sports. Rather, it is about the games played in every gully back-alley of our towns, cities and villages – Gilli Danda, Kho Kho, Hide & Seek. These have become a part of the most enjoyable and enduring images of our own childhood. We want to make sure future generations have similar memories to cherish while receiving the lifelong benefits of a healthy and active childhood.”
Besides India; Australia, Singapore, Philippines and of course the US are participating in the Worldwide Day of Play event. Singapore and the Philippines will hold off-air events at local arenas, with designated play areas and booths including fitness and nutrition tips and workshops for adults on how to motivate kids through play.
In the US, one activity will see four teams, made up of Nickelodeon talent, celebrities and athletes compete. Their aim is to create the “Game of the Day” from a set of large-scale set pieces and props provided to them. The games will encourage creativity and will remind kids that anyone can play, anywhere and with anything.
Nickelodeon executive VP public affairs Marva Smalls said, “Worldwide Day of Play is Nickelodeon’s effort to elevate the importance of physical, active play as an essential part of kids’ lives. In this first-ever day of play, we call attention to the right kids have to play every day. We are thrilled that thousands of individuals and organisations from here and around the globe have joined us in this commitment to kids.”
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
