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Star Plus ties up with Hindustan Times for contest
NEW DELHI: With Star Plus entering its fourth year as India’s top Hindi entertainment channel, the channel is still leaving no stones unturned to keep the tempo going as far as connecting with the viewers is concerned.
The latest in this series of PR activities is the Aapke Star aapke ghar contest (the stars in your home contest) where the channel tied up with Hindustan Times and its Hindi sibling Dainik Hindustan.
The capital had some star brigade visiting the chosen 40 homes of the contest winners here. The contest, from Monday to Thursday, had questions related to the star and their serials. The viewers had to write in to the newspapers (the media partners for the event) or call Radio City with the answers.
The winning deal was to have the stars of the small screen in the winners’ homes on Saturday and Sunday and getting to spend time with them.
Though the function began slightly late in the Capital, the whole team of Star’s communication department ensured that the journalistic fraternity was there in full attendance to announce the winners and the subsequent visit by stars.
The telly artistes who would be visiting the rounds of the winners’ homes today and tomorrow included Sangita Ghosh and Sweta Keswani of Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand, Gurdip Kohli aka Dr Juhi of Sanjivini and Sonal Sehgal and Manav Gohil from Saara Akaash.
Star is also unleashing a media blitz to drive home the point that it is the No 1 channel. Even some competition bashing is going on.
Sample this statement, which has been culled from a three-page release issued by Star, “Recently the most spectacular Indian movie of recent times, Devdas (on SET Max) was totally crushed by Jurassic Park dubbed in Hindi on Star Plus. Jurassic Park achieved far higher viewership – 6.1 TVR as against 4.2 of Devdas.”
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.
