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JWT fires at ‘Big bang 2004’ Ad Club awards Bangalore
BANGALORE: Sahara One presented the Big Bang 2004 Ad Club Bangalore awards for excellence in advertising at Speed Zone in Whitefield. Eminent judges such as Mohan Menon, from the ad, media and client’s side judged the entries to an event which occurred after a hiatus of two years due to the almost complete demise of the Ad Club Bangalore. Current president Ramanujan Sridhar, CEO of brand-comm and his team of committee members have worked hard at revival and the effort showed.
Big Bang- 2004, witnessed JWT, Bangalore also winning the coveted agency of the year as well as the Ayaz Peerbhoy Multimedia Campaign of the year, while Rajesh Ramaswamy from JWT, Bangalore was awarded the copywriter of the year. Orchard advertising, Bangalore won 6 trophies at the Big Bang- 2004.
‘Big Bang 2004’ had Award Groups like – Stars of the show, Best Print Campaign, Best Non Mainstream campaign, Best Film, AV & Radio campaign, Best Below-the-line campaign, Best campaign done by an agency/office in Bangalore, for a client based in Bangalore and Points Winners. In all, the awards were given in 47 different categories across 7 Award Groups.
Expressing his happiness on the success of Big Bang Advertising Awards-2004, president Ad Club Bangalore & CEO, brand-comm said, “These awards are a tribute to creativity. Some of the award winning work was truly outstanding and clutter- breaking. We hope to receive more entries in more categories from more centres next year.”
A lot however needs to be done to bring back the past prestige, as was evident from the lack of or paucity of entries for a number of awards.
Conspicuous by their absence were entries from Lowe, O&M who have continued to keep away from the event and Dentsu, however JWT, Saatchi & Saatchi, Euro RSCG, Grey, RK Swamy BBDO, Contract, Orchard were some of the agencies which participated by submitting their entries.
The winner of the maximum number of awards by far was JWT-Bangalore (Agency of the year award to went to JWT-Bangalore). Following far behind were Saatchi & Saatchi, Mumbai followed by Contract.
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.
