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CVL Srinivas to replace Bashab Sarkar as Maximize MD
NEW DELHI: Not taking much time in finding a replacement for Bashab Sarkar, Maximize India has roped in ex-Madison chief operating officer (north and south) CVL Srinivas as new managing director. Srinivas, who quit Madison in September this year, will join Maximize on 2 January, 2004. He will be based in Delhi.
“I had several options with me in the last three and a months or so. I evaluated options in media agencies, broadcasting industry and in the client side as well. I found Maximize as the most challenging assignment and decided to go ahead with it,” said Srinivas, who joined Madison in mid-1998 in Mumbai before moving to Delhi in early 1999.
Apart from finding his new assignment challenging, Srinivas feels the leadership nature of the job (or being part of Group M) and the kind of people associated with the group, too, influenced his decision.
“In terms of performance, Maximize had a great year. Apart from new clients, the system have been streamlined. It would be too early to comment on the targets but I hope to keep the momentum going,” said Srinivas.
During his stint with Madison, he added clients such as Coca Cola and Perfetti in 2000, Domino’s in 2001, ABN Amro Bank, Somany group and Ozone Ayurvedics in 2002. During the same period, Madison picked up BPL, Nissin Foods and IFB appliances through its Bangalore branch.
Srinivas started his career in media in 1993 when he joined Lintas after completing his MBA from XLRI, Jamshedpur. After a year, he left Lintas for HTA, where he got an opportunity to be a part of Fulcrum and from there, he joined Madison.
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.
