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Zee Sports gets involved with ‘Nascar Mania’
MUMBAI: Zee Sports has launched a new show Nascar Mania.
This half hour magazine programme showcases all the elements that make up a Nascar race. Miss India 2003 Nikita Anand will host the half hour show to be telecast on the weekdays at 5:30 pm. The show will have the top stories from Nascar Nextel Series, the history of Nascar and technical tips.
For the uninitiated, Nascar stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. It is a motor sports event in the US. Over 75 million television viewers watch the race every year. Nascar has three national series – the Nascar Nextel Cup Series, Nascar Cup Series and Nascar Craftsman Truck Series. Drivers in each race compete on different tracks throughout the year. The channel says that over 100 million fans follow Nascar races worldwide.
Zee Sports business head Himanshu Mody said, “Nascar is a popular sport with many interesting people involved. Whether it is a driver, crewmember or owner, the stories and events that take place all season long will give viewers a new perspective on the sport and the teams they follow.
“The launch of the new show is a continuation of our efforts to bring the best of sports to viewers. I hope the show will allow fans to feel closer to the sport and the people involved, give them a real sense of involvement and appreciation for everything that is Nascar.”
Anand said, “I am tremendously excited to be a part of Nascar Mania. Nascar is one of the most exciting sports today and I can’t wait to bring a new and unique perspective to the fans.”The various segments in the programme present different aspects of Nascar. Know Nascar guides the viewer and speaks about the basic terms and other facts about Nascar. The segement By track stories deals with people associated with Nascar. This segment provides access, a perspective on each week’s Nextel Cup race, pre- and post-race interviews.
Pace Update is a rapid-fire news update segment from the world of Nascar. Drivers Unplugged is the section to get up close and personal with the drivers and their performance in Nascar. Every week, the Nascar Race goes to different parts of America and on different Speedways, or tracks. Track Talk is an informative section that gives insights, history, trivia etc.. of the track. Blast from the Past is a section that presents Nascar drivers from the past. Tech Tips is the segment that talks about the finer points about the stock cars used in Nascar.
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.
