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Toonz appoints P Jayakumar as COO, ropes in Sumith Dutta as National mkt head
NEW DELHI: Trivandrum-based animation studio Toonz Animation has appointed P. Jayakumar as the chief operating officer for Indian operations. Besides this, Toonz Animation has also announced the promotion of its studio manager Tiersa Christine to head of production designation.
For its television business, Toonz has appointed Sumith Dutta as National marketing head. While Jayakumar and Christine will be based in Trivandrum, Dutta will be based in Mumbai.
Jayakumar, who joined the organisation in 1999, was previously working as director-operations with the same studio. On his new role, Jayakumar said, “My focus would be primarily on two areas – increasing business from India and development of training centres. We had recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the West Bengal government for opening an academy in Kolkata and we intend to open this by early next year.” The academy in Kolkata will offer one-year courses.
Jayakumar oversees operations in the Toonz’ studios located in Trivandrum and Mumbai, apart from the Toonz Academy in Trivandrum.
Dutta, who was previously working as head of marketing with BBC, has been in the industry for more than 12 years. He started his career with HTA before moving on to Trikaya Grey. After that he moved on to BBC.
“I would be looking after the marketing and sales of television content. We are not only targeting channels such as Cartoon Network but also regional ones like ETV and Lashkara to reach out to the length and the breadth of the country. The studio is looking at understanding television content as a brand, so that it can be positioned to prospective clients in an appropriate manner,” said Dutta.
On the opportunities for animation studio in advertising, Dutta said, “The advertising business from animation perspective is quite erratic and it mainly done on ad-hoc basis. It depends on the choice of the creative director, which of late seems to be more inclined towards usage of celebrities.” Toonz Animation has worked with brands such as Maggi, Sandoz and Hajmola in the recent past.
Christine, who has been working with Toonz for the last two years, had earlier worked with Disney-MGM studios and Turner Broadcasting for several years. She was involved as producer in The Adventures of Tenali Raman and is also the director of the studio’s international animation festival, ‘Week with the Masters’ to be held in November.
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.
