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Piyush Pandey adds another feather to his cap
MUMBAI: There’s no stopping Ogilvy & Mather group president and national creative director Piyush Pandey who is moving from strength to strength. Pandey has bagged yet another international award. This time he has been judged the ‘Creative Person of The Year Asia Pacific for 2002,’ by Hong Kong based Media Magazine.
The award comes in recognition of his contribution to the advertising industry and efforts to raise the creative standards across the industry.
” It’s an achievement for us as well as (for) India. We are happy that India has made its mark at yet another global forum . And we’re sure many more Indians will walk this floor,” Pandey was quoted as saying in The Times Of India.
Ogilvy & Mather has bagged quite a few awards this year: the most memorable one being the Gold Lion in the press and poster category for its `Second-hand smoke kills’ anti-smoking campaign for the Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA); and a silver for the `overloaded bus’ spot for Fevicol, at the Cannes Lions, International Advertising Festival held in June this year.
The anti-smoking ad also won a silver Pencil at the One Show 2002 and a bronze at the Clio Awards 2002. Similarly, Pidilite Industries Limited — the makers of Fevicol —- have won several international advertising awards.
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.
