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Ekta Kapoor named Young Global Leader 2006
MUMBAI: Soap queen Ekta Kapoor has been named Young Global Leader 2006 by the Forum of Young Global Leaders, which is an affiliate of the World Economic Forum.
Kapoor is one of the 40 Asians chosen to become the Young Global Leaders (YGL) 2006, joining 175 leading executives, public figures and intellectuals as a part of a global community now including 410 leaders from all regions and stakeholder groups.
The 2006 class of Young Global Leaders includes over 60 business leaders, more than 30 government leaders, and dozens of scholars, media and non-governmental organisation leaders, who come from countries across the globe.
Kapoor will join the community representing 90 countries that includes Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Star Group CEO Michelle Guthrie, Georgia president Mikheli Saakashvili, Civicus: World Alliance for Citizen Participation secretary-general and CEO Kumi Naidoo and Singer Daniela Mercury.
Kapoor, who started working on production at age 19 has created more than 50 soap operas like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Hum Paanch, Kkusum on leading Indian networks.
Prior to this achievement, Kapoor was judged one of Asia’s 50 most influential communicators by Asiaweek magazine in 2001 and the first woman entrepreneur to receive the coveted ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award in India. Other awards include one for Corporate Excellence from Bharat Petroleum and the Rajiv Gandhi award.
The Young Global Leaders will meet as a community at their Annual Summit in Vancouver from 9 – 12 June 2006, when they will engage together in the 2020 Initiative. This is an endeavour to understand current and future trends, risks and opportunities at both the global and regional levels, formulate a positive vision for the world in 2020 and put forward concrete strategies to translate their vision into action.
Established in 2004 by World Economic Forum executive chairman Professor Klaus Schwab, the Forum of Young Global Leaders is a unique, multi-stakeholder community of the world’s extraordinary leaders who are 40 years old or younger and are ready to dedicate apart of their time and energy to jointly work towards a better future.
YGL gives them a platform to collaborate and shape best practices for the future of the world. 200 Young Global Leaders are selected each year for a five year membership, that will ultimately form a community of 1,111 leaders by 2009.
The 2006 class was chosen from among 3,500 candidates by the Forum of Young Global Leaders’ Nomination Committee, featuring 28 international media leaders, including Carl-Johan Bonnier of Bonnier AB in Sweden, Arthur Sulzberger, the publisher of the New York Times, Tom Glocer, chief executive of Reuters and Rui Chenggang, Director and Anchor of China Central Television in the People’s Republic of China. Her Majesty Queen Raima of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is the chairman of the committee.
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.
