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Rediffusion DYR makes appointments in Chennai
MUMBAI: Ad agency Rediffusion DYR has appointed Sunil Thoppil as group creative director and Premdeep Gangadharan as GM for Chennai.
Thoppil, with over 16 years experience, moves in from TBWA, where he headed creative duties of the agency at the regional level. He has previously worked on brands like Malayala Manorama, Kerala Tourism, Geojit Financial services, Asianet and Pondicherry Tourism. Thoppil is in charge of the creative duties in the agency.
He says, “Its immensely satisfying to enter an office that places a strong emphasis on the creative product. This is also a great opportunity to build a team that believes advertising is fun.”
Gangadharan joins Rediffusion DYR Chennai with over 13 years experience in advertising. Premdeep moves from Saatchi & Saatchi, Bangalore having worked on brands like Tata tea, Tata Coffee, TVS Motors, IFB home appliances, BPL appliances & BPL mobile. His strong FMCG experience would offer superior value to existing clients in Rediffusion DYR Chennai.
Gangadharan says, “The Integrated and holistic communication approach at Rediffusion DYR along with the exciting growth plans the agency has drawn up are challenges that interested me enough to accept this role.”
The agency adds that last year, the branch registered high growth – both organic and inorganic. It added Nutrine –Maha Lacto, Fresh & Honest Café and Vijay Shanthi Builders. The branch today has a pretty good mix of categories ranging from consumer banking to telecom to confectionaries.
The agency says that it is committed to set higher standards for creative product and raising the quality of account management. Rediffusion DYR in Chennai handles Airtel, Citibank, MRF, Vijayshanthi Builders, Nutrine and Fresh & Honest café.nes/y2k6/apr/aprmam59.htm
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.
