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Raj Nayak, Janak Sarda to be felicitated by International Advertising Association
MUMBAI: At the annual International Advertising Association (IAA) Inspire awards to be held at Bucharest on 2 October 2018 with advertising and marketing leaders from all over the world in attendance, Viacom18 COO Raj Nayak and past president IAA India Chapter will be felicitated with the prestigious “Champion Award”. Nayak will be recognized for his excellence in leadership, vision and distinguished services of leaders in the IAA and his contributions to advancing the IAA and communications in the worldwide marketing communications industry.
The IAA Inspire award will also recognize Deshdhoot Group of Publications joint managing director Janak Sarda with the Young Leader Award for excellence in contributing leadership and services in the IAA Young Professionals arena and creating dynamics in marketing communications.
Speaking about the felicitation of Raj Nayak, IAA India Chapter president, Ramesh Narayan said, “I am really overjoyed to announce this news. Having worked closely in the IAA with Raj Nayak I have been a witness to his dynamism, his receptivity to ideas, and his capacity to contribute to anything that furthers the cause of marketing communications in India. He drove and launched the prestigious IAA “Lighting a Billion Lives Campaign” which set the tone to provide solar lighting in millions of dark homes across the country. He also played a major role in the rolling out and nurturing the prestigious IAA leadership Awards for marketing and business excellence which has grown enormously over the last six years. This award is an honor not just for Raj but also for the entire communications industry in the country.”
He further added, “Janak Sarda has played a solid role in spreading the message of marketing and communications to the younger generation of professionals which he himself represents so well. His contribution is actually a sign of the larger role one can expect from him in the years to come. I wish him well.”
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.
