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Hemant Misra is president, north and east, Mudra
NEW DELHI: Mudra Communications has appointed Hemant Misra, as its president, North & East.. Based in Delhi he will now be spearheading the operations of the agency in Delhi (North) and Kolkata (East) branches, managing a combined billing of over Rs. 150 crores (1.5 billion)..
He was formerly executive VP, Mudra. An official release informs that Misra started his career in the small creative shop Milestones in 1986. He joined Mudra in 1992 as associate account director. Misra has been involved in several brand launches. Notable among them is Nestle’s Polo (mint with a hole), a campaign that was highly awarded and applauded across cities, ad forums and across categories like film, press and outdoor etc. It won the Campaign of the year award. He was also instrumental in Mudra winning the A&M Agency of the Year award in 1995. ..
His work portfolio includes clients like, Pan Parag, Cerelac, Orient PSPO, The Oberoi group of Hotels, NIC, Samsung CTVs, Ministry of Tourism, Lancer, Ruffle’s Lays and Bar One. Misra was instrumental in developing the fast food brand McDonald’s in India. Even today he is closely involved with strategy and creative development of the brand the release states.
‘The Advertising Works’ (the precursor to the EFFIES) held by Ad Club, Bombay recognised Misra’s efforts on Orient PSPO by awarding the Gold to the PSPO case study in 1997. This small brand from Calcutta won over heavyweights like Indian Airlines, Britannia, and LML etc. A Certificate of Merit followed this from EFFIES for the McDonald’s case study presented in 2001.
The Mudra Group claims to have 150 clients. It consists of two ad agencies, (Mudra and Interact Vision) one media services agency (OMS) and six strategic business divisions operating out of a network of eight cities. Its strategic business divisions consists of MagIndia, which is an archive of Indian advertising, Primesite (Outdoor Media), Digital Branding Solutions, Mudra Videotec (TV & Software Production & Mktg.), Mudra Pharma, One to One Communications (Relationship Marketing).
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.
