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Star offers Goan holiday through ‘Dil Chahta Hai’
MUMBAI: Star Plus and the picturesque coastal state of Goa are now in cahoots to milk the cash cow that is Dil Chahta Hai.
In a unique promotional effort, the channel that will telecast the Farhan Akhtar directed 2001 hit film on 17 August at prime time, has announced a contest with a tie up with the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa and Air Sahara.
The Dil Chahta Hai Goa contest to be telecast during the movie requires viewers to answer a simple question and send in answers, either online or by mail to win prizes that include free tickets to Goa.
The first prize consists of 25 couple packages to Goa, inclusive of free airfare and stay. The second prize is 25 couple packages for three nights and four days, excluding airfare, valid from 25 August to 30 September. 15 hotels in Goa have come together under the aegis of the TTAG to promote the state as a coastal resort for all seasons. A total of 100 promos, extolling the virtues of Goa as a tourist destination with a difference, will air on the channel in the prime and non prime time bands. The contest cashes in on the fact that several parts of DCH were shot in Goa, where the three friends spend an engaging holiday.
The hotels included in the package are Holiday Inn, Goa Renaissance, DonaSylvia, Sun Village, Dona Alcina, Cidade de Goa, Majorda, Leela Palace, Taj Exotica, Mandovi, Goa Marriot, Club Mahindra and Coconut Grove, says the channel. According to the TTAG, Goa will primarily be projected as the state of sun, sand and sea, with culture, monuments, adventure sports and wildlife being projected as the add-ons.
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.
