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Viacom18 wins two Golden City Gate Awards at ITB, Berlin 2023
Mumbai: Viacom18 bagged two awards at the prestigious “Golden City Gate Awards” at ITB in Berlin 2023. The accolades were awarded in recognition of the exceptional production of the “Incredible India” television commercial, commissioned by the Ministry of Tourism, government of India. This accomplishment underscores Viacom18’s unwavering commitment to creating innovative and impactful branded content for its clients.
Hailed as one of the illustrious platforms of the industry, the ITB is among the top international travel shows where travel and tourism professionals from across the globe come together under one roof for networking and showcasing various travel destinations and state-of-the-art tourism products. The Golden City Gate Tourism Multi-Media Awards are highly respected in the industry and annually bestowed upon at ITB events in various categories related to the Tourism and Hospitality sectors.
Viacom18 head – branded content Vivek Mohan Sharma said, “We are tremendously ecstatic and thankful to have received two esteemed Golden City Gate Awards. These awards are a true testament to the faith bestowed on us by the ‘Ministry of Tourism’, Government of India. At Viacom18, our mission is to produce purposeful branded content and leverage content marketing for impactful engagement to deepen the consumer connect for our partner brands. We are committed to crafting content that empower our clients to optimize their brand stories.”
Viacom18 won the awards in the Golden & Silver Star category at The International ‘Golden City Gate Tourism Awards 2023. The awards were won in ‘TV/Cinema Commercials International and Country International’ segments at ITB, Berlin 2023. The two award winning TV commercials depict effective and sustained multi-media tourism promotional campaigns based on the theme of ‘Confidence Building/Reassurance’ to encourage international and domestic travel. The campaigns highlight India as a safe travel destination post-Covid scenario by sending out positive messages.
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.
