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Punita Lala is Pepsi South Asia marketing head
MUMBAI: Beverage conglomerate Pepsi India has announced the appointment of Punita Lal as its marketing head for the South Asia Beverage Business Unit.
As executive director marketing Lal will be responsible for devising the marketing and advertising strategy for Pepsi’s beverage brands in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
Pepsi India chairman Rajeev Bakshi said, “Punita brings with her classic marketing and advertising expertise having worked with top-notch advertising agencies where she has handled prestigious FMCG accounts such as Pepsi and Unilever. Most importantly, she has in–depth experience of the beverage business. Her previous experience as part of the JWT team that worked on Pepsi’s first campaign in India and her subsequent global experience in brand marketing will make her transition seamless.”
In her 17-year-long career, Lal has acquired experience and skills in developing innovative global marketing campaigns as well as below-the-line grass root campaigns and new product development. Lal started her career in the advertising industry with Lintas, before moving to J Walter Thompson (JWT).
While with JWT, she developed Pepsi’s hugely successful “Are you ready for the magic” marketing campaign. Much of Pepsi’s gain of a 20 per cent market share despite limited distribution to five cities at that time could be attributed to Lal’s efforts. Within JWT, Lal’s next assignment was as the accounts director for the Unilever Dental Business before becoming the Vice President and Unit Head, Mumbai, for the company. Lal also worked in different senior marketing positions with Coca-Cola in China Far East until 2002.
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.
