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Promax Europe selects Rome for annual meet in March
MUMBAI: Promax and BDA Europe has selected Rome as the site of its 2004 European Conference which will take place on 22 and 23 March at the Cavalieri Hilton in Rome.
“With the theme of ‘La Dolce Vita,’ we are taking this opportunity to develop a conference program that will reflect the well-known Italian flair and embrace the zest for life they bring to our event. The conference agenda will focus on rekindling your creative juices and how to find creative inspiration in any work environment. Our speakers will explore a variety of avenues you can take in your quest to find inspiration for the creations, presentations and representations of your daily working life,” says Promax & BDA Europe Senior Vice President and Managing Director Carmen Alzner.
Worldwide marketing for Versace, Stephen Croncota, former marketing maven of popular network brands like Cartoon Network and E! will be one of the main speakers at the event, as will Kevil Carroll, who is behind Nike’s award-winning “Tag” and “Play” campaigns, will speak on ‘Nurturing Creative Genius’, addressing a variety of approaches, including speed of thought training, visual acuity, and sound therapy as a means to stimulating and sustaining creativity.
A cross between a lecture and a performance on the subject of inspiration, Gary Carter, who launched the distribution efforts behind “Big Brother” and who has closely been associated with the groundbreaking program concepts of “Survivor!” and “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,” will deliver a presentation about creativity, including methods for seeking it, exploring it and ways in which to embody creativity.
In one of Promax & BDA Europe’s most popular sessions, “Just Design It” looks at how to improve promotion with design. An international group of creative professionals share their solutions during this acclaimed and effective session.
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.
