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Dior’s the official timekeeper for LIFW
MUMBAI: Dior watches has recently announced its association with Lakme India Fashion Week (LIFW) 2004 as the ‘Official Watch’ of the fashion extravaganza.
This association was jointly announced by Dior brand manager Shantanu Mukerji, Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) executive director Vinod Kaul and IMG/TWI, South Asia MD Ravi Krishnan.
As the official watch of LIFW 2004, Dior will be the first global fashion brand to tie up with this annual week long event. As a part of the association, Dior watches will present their latest Spring Summer 2004 international collection for the first time in India through various programmes during the course of the fashion week from 27 April to 3 May in New Delhi. The focus of the exercise will be to give customers an experiential understanding of the true essence of Dior watches as a fashion brand.
“Lakme India Fashion week is an exciting platform to showcase Dior as it gives us an opportunity to reach out to our couture clientele who are looking for young, fashionable and original timekeeping products,” said Mukerji. “Globally, watches are premium personal accessories and have become an integral part of fashion today. Indian consumers are savvy with international fashion trends and Dior watches will complement their sense of style,” he added.
“We are pleased to announce ‘Dior’ as the official watch of Lakme India Fashion Week – India’s largest back to back fashion extravaganza that celebrates the coming together of all stakeholders of the Indian Fashion Industry. LIFW provides a common platform to the Indian fashion design industry to promote the business-of-fashion and to showcase India’s design talent to the world. It is very encouraging to see hi-fashion brands like Dior participate at LIFW to display their skills and market their creations,” said Kaul.
The FDCI was founded in 1998 to consolidate the position of the Indian fashion industry in the global marketplace and embodies the first step taken towards according corporate status to the fashion business in India. Krishnan said, “We would like to welcome Dior’s new association with India’s premier fashion event. I am certain that this partnership will go a long way in helping Dior achieve its business goals, and that their involvement with LIFW will be an enduring one.”
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.
