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Sony BBC Earth transforms the festive season into a Metaverse wonderland for kids!
Mumbai: In a heartwarming gesture, Sony BBC Earth is unwrapping joy for kids with an exclusive Metaverse experience! This enchanting experience commenced with the channel presenting the less fortunate children with a chance to explore the world beyond their dreams.
To make the Metaverse universe come alive, Sony BBC Earth collaborated with virtual reality experts and curated two captivating virtual worlds. The channel invited young minds to step into both worlds – the Polar region, dazzling with Aurora lights and surrounded by whimsical beings like penguins, seals, and polar bears, and the tropical rainforest teeming with lush canopies housing exotic creatures such as the Toucan, Cheetah, Crocodile, and Jackal. The experience made the children of the Udaan India Foundation wonder about the boundless possibilities in the AI space. Along with the Metaverse, the students also enjoyed the trivia session and fun games.
This immersive initiative induced a strong sense of imagination and understanding of nature and its beings, making it a memorable experience for the younger generation. Sony BBC Earth aims to create more such experiences by extending the Metaverse experience to more children in schools and other centres.
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Udaan Indian Foundation programs manager Pankti Lalaji shared,
“Children are curious by nature, and technology amazes them to a great extent. We are grateful to Sony BBC Earth for showcasing the power of AI and providing an immersive experience to the kids of our foundation. The Metaverse experience was new and exciting for them and they got to learn so much from it.”
Hitesh Vishwakarma, a class 8 student of Udaan India Foundation shared,
“When I stepped into the Polar region, it was like magic. The lights in the sky were twinkling stars, and it felt like I was on a holiday to Antarctica. I am so happy that I got a chance to have a walkthrough in the snow and see the seals and penguins come alive.”
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.
