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Zing’s Diwali campaign urges individuals to gift their time
Mumbai: Youth channel Zing has launched a campaign ‘Be a Sparkle With Zing’ that urges individuals to gift their time by being mentors to those in need.
Through this program, Zing is trying to educate the youth about mentoring, and bring them together to lead the change at these NGOS, who play an instrumental role in instilling a positive attitude amongst their beneficiaries, making them socially aware and preparing them for the future, it said in a statement.
“Zing, as a brand, believes in consumer centricity and always tries to connect and engage with the youth while making a difference in their lives,” said music cluster chief channel officer Pankaj Balhara. “Diwali is the perfect occasion to initiate a campaign to take our ideologies forward. A small contribution in terms of time can go a long way in adding a sparkle to the lives of these kids and contribute towards building a brighter future for them.”
The channel has tied up with NGOs – The Lighthouse Project, Mentor Together, Antarang Foundation and Katalyst India to help connect under resourced youths to their perfect mentors.
“We are driven towards greater equality of opportunity for every young person in India,” said Mentor Together associate director of operations Jean Paul Boddu. “Through our one-to-one mentorship, it is not just young people who learn skills and gain direction for their future; mentors also learn skills of empathy and leadership.”
“Antarang Foundation has been working towards forming a healthy world for the youth that motivates them to ‘passionately, productively, and positively’ choose their career,” said Antarang Foundation student outcomes Carmel Rasquinha. “So, when Zing came with this wonderful mentorship initiative that encourages people to allot some time to help a young person from an under-resourced background to grow, we were more than happy to join forces.”
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.
