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Barista, Wisdom Tree promote Garfield books at Barista outlets
NEW DELHI: Barista is going places. After the recent tie up with Inmatch Modelling to hunt for “Faces of the Future,” the coffee major has now tied up with the renowned publishing house Wisdom Tree. Together they bring the irrepressible, intelligent, lazy and coffee-drinking cat Garfield all packed into a collection of books to India for the first time.
Barista joins in the party by displaying and selling the Garfield books all across their espresso bars in India. Infact, this is the first time that Barista will actually be selling books, infact selling anything apart from their core functional products—coffee and accompaniments.
Over 130 million Garfield books – for both adult and teenage readers – have been sold worldwide. The Garfield comic strip appears daily in 2,600 newspapers worldwide.
It appears in 63 countries, translated into 23 languages, read by 26,30,00,000 readers. Garfield, created by Jim Davis and circulated by Universal Press Syndicate, is the world’s most syndicated comic strip.
Commenting on the synergies of this association, Barista Coffee Head – Marketing Brotin Banerjee says, “Barista is delighted to be associated with Garfield books by Wisdom Tree. This innovative initiative heralds an exciting new phase for Barista’s promotional licensing business in India and is a big leap towards achieving the Barista’s mission to provide consumers multiple access points to the brand and properties.”
Wisdom Tree publisher Shobhit Arya comments, “I believe two things one cannot do without are oxygen and humour and we seem to be desperately in need of both. I am sure Garfield will add to the laughter around. Also I hope this innovative tie up with Barista will change the way we look at book selling in India and give a fresh perspective towards marketing books”
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.
