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Broadmind goes the distance for Mumbai marathon
NEW DELHI: Mumbai’s streets will see international marathoners pounding them post new year. The city’s first (or is it?) international marathon event ‘Standard Chartered Mumbai International Marathon 2004’ will be flagged of on 18 January 2004.
For BroadMind, WPP Marketing Communications’ specialist arm for nontraditional communication channels, it will be a first of sorts as it is its debut sports event. The firm has roped in Oberoi Hotels and Thomas Cook as the sponsors for the hospitality and travel categories respectively. BroadMind is working on the project in conjunction with Procam International, a leading sports and leisure event management company which is promoting the event.
“Sports is the third vertical which BroadMind is going after successfully establishing businesses in the verticals of Entertainment and Micro Marketing,” says Broadmind national director Suku Murti. “Broadmind will be marketing 12 sponsor partnerships namely Title (finalised), Associate, television, media, water, apparel, timekeeper, communication, hospitality, travel, transport and IT. While Standard Chartered Bank, Oberoi Hotels (hospitality) and Thomas Cook (travel) have been finalised, we are in dialogue with advertisers for the balance partnerships.”
The Mumbai marathon will be the fourth such event to be sponsored by Standard Chartered, which also supports the grueling race in Hong Kong, Singapore and Kenya.
10 of the world’s top marathoners -both women and men – are slated to participate and make a dash for the kitty of US$210,000. As per the information available from international athletics calendar, four international marathons are scheduled before the Mumbai marathon.
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.
