MAM
Major faux pas in govt ad on girl child
NEW DELHI: Even as senior Indian army and air force officers fumed over the bloomer, the Prime Minister’s office issued an apology for the inclusion of the photograph of a former Pakistani air force chief in an advertisement against female infanticide in India.
Women’s and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath, whose Ministry issued the advertisement photograph placed in newspapers by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity, said the persons found guilty of this lapse would be punished.
The statement from the PMO tersely said: “The Prime Minister‘s office has noted with regret the inclusion of a foreign national‘s photograph in a government of India advertisement. While an internal enquiry has been instituted, the PMO apologises to the public for this lapse.”
It is learnt that the designing of the controversial advertisement was outsourced to a creative agency attached to a leading media house, but was cleared by the Ministry.
A source said most advertisements of this kind are approved at the level of joint secretary or higher, thus implying the Ministry herself may have approved it.
The full-page advertisement published in a national daily on the occasion of National Girl Child Day carried a photograph of former Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Ahmed (2006-2009) along with photos of Kapil Dev, Virender Sehwag and Amjad Ali Khan. The full-page ad also has the pictures of the United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and the Minister Krishna Tirath.
DAVP sources said the advertisement had been received on a Saturday (holiday) for immediate dissemination, and so it had been passed on without any verification.
Brands
SPNI promotes Tavishi Budhiraja to vice president for HR and DEI
Longtime HR leader steps up to drive revenue teams and inclusion agenda
GURUGRAM: Sony Pictures Networks India has elevated Tavishi Budhiraja to vice president, HR business partner for revenue functions and diversity and inclusion, strengthening its people leadership across key business verticals.
In her expanded role, Budhiraja will oversee HR strategy for revenue-facing teams including ad sales across linear and digital, distribution and international business, while continuing to lead the company’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Budhiraja has been with the network for over 15 years, rising through the ranks from HR business partner for ad sales to assistant vice president, where she also took on the diversity and inclusion mandate. Her elevation reflects both continuity and a sharper focus on aligning people strategy with business growth.
Prior to joining SPNI, she worked with Reliance Communications as deputy manager, gaining early experience in human resources.
Announcing the move, Budhiraja said she looks forward to deepening impact and strengthening people strategies across teams, while continuing to grow within the organisation.
The promotion comes as media companies increasingly invest in talent and workplace culture to support evolving revenue models and digital expansion, making HR leadership a critical lever for long-term growth.
