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WorldSpace Lounge launched in Chennai
xMUMBAI: WorldSpace Satellite Radio recently launched a WorldSpace Lounge for music lovers in Chennai. The lounge will be in Phase III of Spencer’s and has been designed as a unique experience zone that enables customers to listen to their choice of music on any of WorldSpace’s channels in a comfortable and non-intrusive ‘lounge’ ambience.
At the lounge, customers can also purchase WorldSpace Satellite Radio receivers off the shelf as well as subscribe to the service. WorldSpace Satellite Radio offers over 30 channels that cover varied genres of music- from Carnatic to Hindustani Classical, rock, pop, jazz, rave, techno, country and western classical to Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, classic Hindi film songs, current Hindi film and pop, trance, R&B and several others; as well as some of the best news channels such as BBC, CNN and NDTV 24×7 and NDTV India.
What distinguishes WorldSpace Satellite Radio from any other medium is its sheer variety of content. With over 30 channels that span a vast range of musical genres, WorldSpace offers phenomenal choice to the consumer.
Said WorldSpace India Pvt Ltd director consumer audio business Sanjay Ramakrishnan, “With the launch of WorldSpace Lounge in Chennai, we are happy to provide music lovers in this city with easy access to our distinctive radio service. At WorldSpace Lounge, not only can customers enjoy their choice of music in a leisurely manner, but they can also subscribe to WorldSpace’s service right there and enjoy it anywhere. With music to suit the palate of every member in the family, we are certain that Chennai, a city of music lovers, will love WorldSpace.”
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.
