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TLC to host Heartwork Tattoo Festival in Delhi
MUMBAI: TLC is all geared up to bring a tattoo festival in partnership with Indian and international artists. The TLC Heartwork Tattoo festival will take place in Delhi from 2– 4 December at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. The festival aims to bring together the tattoo industry, artists and equipment suppliers and make tattoos accessible and mainstream.
It will play host to the biggest artists from England, Spain, Russia and Netherlands in addition to tattoo gurus from India. Some of the biggest names in the world of body art known for their skill and distinctive styles, will be present at the festival – Jay Freestyle from the Netherlands, StepanNegur from Russia, Bez 666 from the UK, Fabrice Koch from Germany, etc.
“TLC has always been ahead of the curve in setting trends amongst the youth. We made tattoos and tattooing popular with ourshowsand this festival is a natural progression. We have aided the growth of tattoo culture and the festival brings the art form to the mainstream and makes it accessible to a large group of people,” said Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (South Asia) VP female and family entertainment products Rajiv Bakshi.
Creative Skin Graphics director and festival organiser Lokesh Verma added, “Our first introduction to tattoos was watching artists and their work on TLC. The industry has come a long way since then and tattoos have gained wider acceptance. With the festival we want to promote the culture of tattooing by giving people access to international artists and standards.”
The festival will also host music bands and acts by various other entertainers as they take over the stage at regular intervals to keep visitors engaged. There will also be competitions every day as artists vie for the best tattoos in various categories.
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.
