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Congress print advertorial has LIC, SBI, Mother Dairy fuming
NEW DELHI: Even as the Election Commission and the Supreme Court are grappling with the issue of surrogate political advertising on the electronic medium, it is the turn of the print medium to be invaded by the advertising ghost.
Some institutions like the State Bank of India, Mother Dairy and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) have taken strong exceptions to the usage of their logos and emblems in an advertorial in the latest issue of India Today magazine, apparently released by the Congress party, without any prior permission.
In a letter written to Orchard — also marked to the editor of India Today as well as the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) – LIC has pointed out that its logo has been used in the advertorial “unauthorisedly in contravention to the standard norms for self-regulation” as prescribed by ASCI.
While Orchard could not be contacted for comments, indiantelevision.com’s efforts to elicit a response from the Congress proved futile. One of the party spokespersons Kapil Sibal refused to speak on the matter saying he did not look after the advertising aspects, while another senior leader associated with the media cell of the party, Jairam Ramesh, did not have time to entertain indiantelevision.com’s query when contacted in the evening.
The advertorial, released under the name of Orchard ( a Leo Burnett outfit that is involved in doing the creatives for Congress’ advertising campaigns), appears on India Today’s pages 37-39 and goes on to enlist the reasons why the Congress should not be voted back to power. Amongst the reasons, it is also insinuated that established organizations like LIC, State Bank of India and Mother Dairy have flourished under Congress regimes.
Political and legal experts pointed out that if LIC has written a letter on the issue of an advertisement that is purportedly political in nature, the matter is likely to take a turn towards a controversy, a la surrogate political advertising on television. Which all logo could be used or cannot be used in such a scenario would always be open to debate and add fuel to the fire, experts pointed out.
The letter from LIC also details — para 2 chapter 4 and para 3 of chapter 1 — the guidelines formed by the advertising industry on usage of logos and emblem and states that the Congress advertorial shows “clear infringement of self regulation norm.”
Pointing out that LIC was formed in 1956 by an Act of Parliament and has recently been described as the No. 1 service brand in an ORG-Economic Times survey, LIC has sought an “unqualified apology from you (Orchard)” to be published in India Today at the cost of the advertising agency, failing which , the letter states, the Corporation would be “constrained to take such other steps which we deem necessary.”
SBI and Mother Dairy, it is also learnt, have registered their objection on this particular advertorial.
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.
