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Synovate opens South Asia office in Mumbai, Delhi
MUMBAI: UK based Aegis Group’s market research arm – Synovate has formally started its business consulting practice in India. The Synovate Business Consulting which already has a dominant entity in Asia Pacific has now open offices in New Delhi and Mumbai.
As per the company communiqué, this practice will co-exist with an already well-established market research function of Synovate in India. The Indian team would hold the additional mandate for adjoining markets, essentially the Saarc countries.
Synovate has roped in two industry senior honchos – Naresh Priyadarshi and Manoj John – who would form the apex team for Business Consulting in South Asia.
Priyadarshi, an alumnus of IIM-A, joins from American Express with earlier stints in Ernst & Young, AF Ferguson and John has earlier worked with Frost & Sullivan and Feedback Consulting.
Synovate Business Consulting has been providing market and competitive intelligence-based strategic advice since 1991 in Asia essentially comprising market opportunity analysis, market profiles and sizing, distribution and value-chain consulting, competitive intelligence, key account profiling, market feasibility and market entry strategy, partner evaluation and selection.
In India, the company’s initial thrust would be on Fortune 500 companies in the growth oriented sectors like telecom, biotech, pharma/ healthcare, insurance, IT and ITES, financial services, retail, manufacturing and industry, petroleum and gases, logistics etc. The company will also be stressing on offering advisory services to large infrastructure and government clients.
Says Priyadarshi, “Our strong network in all Asia Pacific countries; the ready availability of local expertise and industry insights would aid Indian companies, contemplating a foray into these markets.”
So how does Synovate leverage its services? “Synergising consulting and strategic competencies with market research expertise; Synovate USP lies in its business intelligence expertise and ability to offer accurate, timely and research-based consulting,” explained Priyadarshi.
“Most companies in this domain provide business advisory services, using secondary research and limited primary research,” added John.
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.
