MAM
Jubin Rajesh Desai joins Dharma Cornerstone Agency as VP of talent management & relations
MUMBAI: Jubin Rajesh Desai, a seasoned expert in talent management, marketing, and public relations, has taken on a new role as vice rresident, talent management & relations at Dharma Cornerstone Agency. With over 15 years of experience in the entertainment and marketing industries, Desai’s appointment is expected to bring fresh perspectives and dynamic leadership to the renowned agency.
Announcing his new position, Desai expressed excitement about the opportunity: “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as VP talent management & relations at Dharma Cornerstone Agency!” The move marks the next chapter in his career, where he will oversee talent strategies, branding initiatives, and stakeholder relations in one of the industry’s leading organisations.
Prior to this, Desai served as head of marketing & celebrity management at Viniyard Films, a position he held for nearly nine years. There, he played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s brand identity and managing high-profile talent. His experience also includes a tenure as talent & branding head at Grazing Goat Pictures, where he contributed significantly to talent representation and strategic branding efforts.
Desai’s career highlights include leadership roles at Mid Day as senior manager of entertainment marketing, Digit 9.0 Web Marketing as head of PR, and Percept Profile as a PR associate. These experiences have honed his expertise in entertainment marketing, talent relations, and public relations, making him a well-rounded professional in the industry.
An alumnus of SIES College, Desai earned a bachelor of mass media (BMM) degree with a specialisation in advertising. His educational background, combined with his diverse professional experiences, has shaped his ability to connect brands, talent, and audiences seamlessly.
In his new role at Dharma Cornerstone Agency, Desai aims to push creative boundaries and foster strong partnerships that drive growth and innovation in talent management.
MAM
Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia deepens philanthropic push in India ahead of retirement
Entrepreneur backs gurdwara project and education for slum children as he expands charitable footprint in the country
LONDON: Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia is ramping up his philanthropic footprint in India. On a recent visit to the country, the UK-based entrepreneur stepped up support for religious and educational causes, signalling a deeper long-term commitment as he prepares to spend more time in India ahead of retirement.
Ahluwalia reaffirmed support for key social initiatives, including a donation to Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Kalgidhar Sahib in Gurugram and continued backing for a school in Faridabad for which he had earlier purchased the land.
The donation will fund the construction of the gurdwara, expected to be completed by mid-2028. Run largely by volunteers, the site will serve as a community hub and continue the Sikh tradition of langar — a community kitchen that provides free meals to all, regardless of faith.
Parallelly, the Faridabad school continues to deliver free, multi-year education to children living in extreme poverty in surrounding slums. The institution is part of the 12 educational facilities run by the Jagriti Sewa Trust, where Ahluwalia serves as chairman. The trust provides underprivileged students with free education as well as skill-development opportunities.
The latest support adds to Ahluwalia’s long record of charitable giving in India. In recent years, it included a £100,000 donation to the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation’s Justice for Every Child campaign, which provides legal and psychological support to vulnerable children and their families.
Through the Ahluwalia Foundation, the businessman regularly backs charities and non-profits in both India and the United Kingdom. The foundation focuses on projects linked to education, migration and the rights of children and women.
Ahluwalia’s philanthropic drive is rooted in personal history. Having fled to the UK as a refugee at the age of 13, he has long supported migrant-focused organisations, including the London-based Migration Museum, while also funding educational initiatives in India such as free schooling programmes in Hyderabad.
Now, as he gradually shifts more of his time to India, Ahluwalia’s charitable ambitions are expanding. Future plans include launching a classic car rally across the country to raise funds for causes he supports.
“Education and faith are very close to my heart,” Ahluwalia said. “For so many Indians, whether they live in India or abroad, a gurdwara or any place of worship is more than somewhere to practise faith. They are places of community and identity.”
Reflecting on the Faridabad visit, Ahluwalia added: “It was very special seeing the work of the Jagriti Sewa Trust firsthand. Knowing that disadvantaged children are receiving a free education — and that I had a small part to play in that — is deeply meaningful. Social status and economic background should not determine a person’s chances of success.”
