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Sony Pictures Networks India embarks on a zero waste to landfill journey
Mumbai: With a goal to achieve zero waste to landfill, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) continues its sustainable journey to reduce its carbon footprint. This journey entails a wide spectrum of initiatives conducted to reduce significant waste production by both the organisation and the content production houses of its various shows in Mumbai. In association with G.A.M.E. (Greening Advertising Media Entertainment) as its sustainability consulting partner on this initiative, SPNI has collected and diverted more than 15,000 kg of waste from the landfill in just a month’s time. In an industry-first initiative to adopt green practises through sustainability guidelines issued early last year, SPNI aims to achieve a zero environmental footprint by 2050.
The company had already initiated its waste management journey in 2021 by implementing the ‘avoid, reduce and recycle waste’ approach to fulfil the organisation’s goal of sending zero waste to landfill. Across its offices and operations in the country, single use plastic items have been eliminated through creating employee awareness and systemic interventions. This includes eliminating single use cutlery, plates & bowls, cups, plastic bottles, deskside bin liners and single use tissues from washrooms by installing hand dryers, to name a few. Whereas on shoot locations, SPNI has deployed a dedicated team to strategize a two pronged approach and implement a comprehensive waste segregation and recycling program. The use of single-use plastic bottles has been replaced with refillable water bottles, single use tissues with cloth napkins, single-use batteries with reusable ones, etc.
A carefully crafted waste collection and pickup model has been put in place for all its ongoing shows, which ensures that 100 per cent of the waste generated is collected and sent for recycling at a common registered facility. While all the recyclable waste is collected by the registered recycler for further recycling, food waste is composted on-site into manure via an industrial-scale organic waste converter (OWC). The balance of the waste is collected and sent to cement industries for energy recovery, thus diverting it from ending up in landfills.
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.
