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Star Sports and KidZania collaborate to empower kids
MUMBAI: Star Sports and KidZania have collaborated and co-created a unique platform for kids that will help nurture children’s self-confidence through exposure to a real-life TV show experience.
The Star India Studio activity at KidZania Mumbai simulates a working television production facility allowing kids to role-play and understand various nuances of television broadcast, providing them with a remarkable opportunity to truly understand how life is on the ‘other side of the TV screen’ and showcase their abilities. The activity is in tandem with KidZania’s unique proposition of edutainment – learning through role-play and real-life experiences.
As a part of this initiative, kids visiting KidZania were encouraged to audition and five children were selected to be part of an expert panel siscussion on the Star Power special segment hosted by Manish Batavia. The show was recorded at the Star India TV Studio establishment at KidZania Mumbai and is scheduled to air on 25 May 2014 in English on Star Sports 1 & Star Sports HD1 and in Hindi on Star Sports 3.
The innovative content package from Star will see kids offer their fresh perspective on the most followed sport in India – cricket as well as provide a light and entertaining segment for viewers of the show ‘Star Power’.
“We, at Star, are always on a look-out for innovative content opportunities to provide our viewers with sports broadcast experience like never before. To achieve this objective, we are delighted to have partnered with KidZania to create a special segment for kids on STAR Power,” said Star India sports business head Nitin Kukreja.
He further added “It will be refreshing to hear kids give their innocent perspective on the game of cricket for a change and hopefully this segment will inspire budding anchors to come forward and express themselves.”
Commenting on this partnership, KidZania India chief marketing officer Viraj Jit Singh, said “KidZania is all about, empowering, inspiring and educating children through real-life ROLE-PLAY experiences and we look at partnering brands that help bring realism and authenticity to our activities. This exceptional opportunity with Star has helped further build our promise of “real experiences”. It’s allowed kids to build self-confidence and encouraged creativity as they transferred their experiential learning from the activities at the Star TV Studio at KidZania to a real life TV Show.”
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.
