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Famous Innovations appoints Sharon Varghese as business head of Bangalore operations
Mumbai: Famous Innovations, an independent agency, has onboarded Sharon Varghese as its head of business for the Bangalore office.
Varghese joins the company holding 18 years of rich experience in the fields of advertising and public relations. Prior to this, she worked at McCann Worldgroup for five years as Group Business Director, looking over eminent clients like Britannia, Flipkart, Qualcomm, and several others.
Over the years, Varghese has pulled off both planning and account management roles, leading key business relationships across extensive categories for clients in the FMCG, e-commerce, fashion, technology, travel, hospitality, and healthcare spaces. She holds an engineering and management degree from Vellore Institute of Technology and the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, respectively.
Elated with this appointment, Varghese said, “Famous Innovations is no ordinary creative agency. It is one of the fastest-growing independent agencies blossoming out of India. It has a unique, young, progressive, brave and energized culture that I have found to be truly refreshing. This dynamism is reflected in their work and the fact that they work with some of the most formidable brands not only out of India but globally as well. Truly excited to do some great work together.”
Famous Innovations CEO Mithila Saraf said, “Varghese’s diverse and unique background means that she brings a very unique perspective and balance of business, brand and creative thinking. While her fundamentals of marketing are strong, she’s also ahead of our constantly changing industry and is keenly interested in driving that change, for our agency and our brands. We’re excited about this next chapter for Famous Bangalore.”
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.
