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SPN India recognised as one of the best companies for women in India
MUMBAI: Entertainment and sports broadcast network, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), has been recognised as one of the best 100 companies for women to work for in India for 2017.
The award is based on a prestigious study conducted by Working Mother – a global leader on gender equity and Avtar, a pioneer in diversity and inclusion in India. With women comprising 33 per cent of its workforce, the company has undertaken various award-winning initiatives to create a work environment in which they can truly fulfil their potential. Grooming women leaders at various levels and building an equal-opportunity, inclusive culture has one of the key focus areas for SPN.
The network’s significant progress in this direction has been recognised in the study, making it the only media and entertainment company to be a part of the ranking this year.
The Working Mother and Avtar Best Companies for Women in India is a one-of-its-kind study to identify, share, showcase and celebrate best practices from India’s best employers to foster women’s career advancement. The top 100 companies were chosen based on performance across seven key policy clusters namely workforce profile, flexible work, women’s recruitment and retention, benefits, paid-time off/parental leave, company culture, safety and security; 360 companies participated in the study, which is India’s largest and most rigorous gender analytics exercise.
SPN was one of the first organisations in the country to extend maternity, adoption and surrogacy leave to six months well before it became mandated by law. Pregnant women can also avail preferential parking on the office premises. The network has a special provision of a mothers’ room, where a new mother can pump and store milk for her baby, and near-site crèche facilities for employees to avail for their children.
SPN also priorities women’s safety through practices such as sensitising all employees on prevention of sexual harassment and training women employees on self-defence techniques. SPN CEO NP Singh said, “At SPN, we have an inclusive culture, which delivers fulfilling career experiences and growth opportunities. It is a tribute to our organisation’s culture that we are being recognised as among the top 100 companies for women in India.”
SPN India CHRO Smriti K. Singh added, “Our people practices are designed to support women employees in the unique challenges they face while balancing and excelling at various roles in and outside the office. Being a part of this list reinforces our standing as an employer of choice.”
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.
