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At parties or outside, delegates swing to networking beat
JAIPUR: Whether at the evening parties or at the convention centre, if there is one thing that all the delegates hope to get out of their stay at Jaipur, it is fresh contacts.
And networking opportunities galore there were, what with so many countries represented at the convention. As is to be expected, most of the foreign delegates were from the Far East. However, it was not Singapore or Hong Kong that had the heaviest representation.
Shankar of the Shankar-Ishan-Loy trio belts out an Indi-pop number
The largest foreign contingent came from South Korea with 54, followed by Japan (33), Malaysia (28) and Indonesia with 26. Singapore was fifth with 20 while Taipei had 18. Only seven have come down from China though. Neighbours Sri Lanka had 13, Pakistan 12, Nepal 10 and Bangladesh six delegates in attendance.
Seven have come from the US and six from the UK.
As for the day’s activities, while today was a relatively light day with most delegates spending the second half of the day either sight-seeing or at the golf links, yesterday saw another grand gala dinner laid out.
And while yesterday the theme was national dress reflected in the kind of entertainment on display, tonight it is sporty. Curious though as to just what that means! With a chill in the air, togging out in Bermudas and T-shirts at night is not a particularly attractive proposition.
Incidentally, that was a complaint that a few guests last night had. A south India decked in dhoti and kurta said his legs were freezing. Another broadcast executive was chilled out more than figuratively, feeling more than just a nip in his lower extremities in the trendy silk sherwani he was decked up in.
The music was great though with Shankar-Loy-Ehsaan belting out their Indi-pop numbers. Before the music kicked in there was Rajasthani contemporary folk dance routines by the mother-daughter team of Ila and Ishita Arun and their troupe.
Ila Arun performs at the venue
Like the previous night, it was the MTV VJs Cyrus Broacha and Sophiya who introduced the acts, and not surprisingly, there was another beauty queen on stage to do her preen routine. Diya Mirza, Miss Asia Pacific 2000, was there to give away some mementos. Since we had Miss World 2000 Priyanka Chopra on the first night and Mirza on the second, stands to reason that tonight we can expect Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta to strut on stage.
But speaking of mementos, Euro RSCG’s Ishan Raina had something to smile about as he walked away with the grand prize of a Toyota Qualis in the lucky draw.
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.
