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KV Sridhar rejoins Leo Burnett India as national creative director
MUMBAI: KV Sridhar, fondly known as “Papa”, currently creative consultant for Lowe, is rejoining Leo Burnett India as national creative director.
During his earlier eight-year stint with Leo Burnett, Sridhar became famous as “the man with the Midas touch”. He literally led the agency’s creative resurgence and was responsible for some great, internationally recognised work: Burnett’s first Cannes Lion for “Forte”; the Complan print campaign; the Coca-Cola international print ad; and the Sonora tiles campaign; both awarded at the Asia Pacific Festivals; the Abby-winning Bajaj campaign.
Other milestones include winning the Grand Global for “Eye Balls”, an ad encouraging eye donation at New York Festivals; bagging six Awards at Ad Fest; being awarded twenty six 7+s by the Leo Burnett Global Product Committee; winning the Coke, Thums Up and Bajaj Bikes businesses.
At Lowe, Sridhar was behind the “Ghattam” commercial for Pepsodent (his first with Balki), Saint Gobain “Black Women”, Bajaj Saffire “Crushed Paper”, Parker with Amitabh Bachchan, LG “Cricket First”, LG Art Cool “Art Gallery”, the summer campaign for LG Golden eye televisions and the very recent Bajaj “Hoodibaba”.
According to a press release, the greatest assets that Sridhar brings with him to Leo Burnett are his great understanding and perspective on how Indian society and culture is changing with time; a knack for cutting edge work; and a bagful of ideas on how to raise Burnett’s creative output to a new level.
As one who is extremely critical of falling creative standards, Leo Burnett India chairman and CEO Arvind Sharma definitely feels that Sridhar’s second stint in Leo Burnett India is a planned move. “For us, 2003 is a year of major investment in creative. And while we have been a frequent presence at international award shows, Sridhar’s mandate now is to make us into a creative force far beyond award shows – both in India and globally,” Sharma says.
Another advantage is the fact that Sridhar is familiar with the agency’s clients. He is also famous for his gift of getting the best out of people and is until now remembered by Burnetters as the one who “creates great stuff wherever he goes”.
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.
