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Weekend Unwind with: Narrative co-founder Deepali Shetty
Mumbai: With another weekend upon us, it is time to unwind with the latest Q&A edition of Indiantelevision.com’s Weekend Unwind-a series of informal chats that peek into the minds of business executives through a fun lens in an attempt to get to know the person behind the title a little better.
In this week’s session, we have Narrative co-founder Deepali Shetty.
Shetty is an alumna of T.A. Pai Management Institute, Manipal and is a seasoned business development and sales leader. She has an experience of over 20 years covering long-term stints at leading investment consulting firms. Her experience spans across product development, sales and marketing strategy, product launches, customer acquisition and strategic alliances. Prior to narrative, she was the national head of sales and marketing at India Life Capital (currently Mercer Wealth India) and held key leadership positions at ING Mutual Fund in Mumbai and Bangalore. As Narrative’s co-founder, she oversees campaigns and their performance, builds and nurtures strategic partnerships with key stakeholders and enjoys fostering long-term relationships and driving collaborative success. Her deep understanding of the business landscape combined with her creative flair and passion for all things design, has helped narrative establish a strong track record for delivering innovative and impactful solutions to clients.
Beyond her professional endeavours, Shetty is an avid traveller and loves exploring new countries and cultures.
So, without further ado, here it goes…
· Your mantra for Life
Don’t take it too seriously. Laugh at yourself and let others too!
· A Book you are currently reading / plan to read
Just started reading Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin.
· Your Fitness mantra, especially during the pandemic
Was lucky to have access to open spaces so mostly walking and cycling.
· Your comfort food
Mom’s Mangalorean mutton curry with rice.
· When the chips are down a quote/ philosophy that keeps you going
I don’t rely on quotes to keep me going. I just put my head down and do what I need to do. The chips can fall where they have to. As a practice, I try not to hype the problem. I break it into smaller parts and try to deal with the parts one at a time. It’s easier that way!
· Your guilty pleasure
Foot rubs while sipping chai.
· When was the last time you tried something new?
I wanted to say taking a dip in a Japanese Onsen 2 months ago but then also this – answering these questions is also a first!
· A Life lesson you learnt the hard way
That life cannot be planned. The astrologer got and continues to get everything wrong.
· If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
There will always be important people in your life who are not happy with the decisions you make. But fearlessly stick to that decision if you know it’s what you want. Everyone else will come around.
· What gets you excited about life?
Knowing that I have the freedom to live it on my terms. Which essentially means that I don’t have to make everything a project or a plan, it’s totally ok if I fail and every now then there is a moment of serendipity.
· What’s on top of your bucket list?
Bet a million bucks on roulette. Close my eyes and pray
· One thing you would most like to change about the world
Rid it of cockroaches? The real answer is nothing. To change one thing, you have to change many things.
· An activity that keeps you motivated / charged during tough times
Reconnecting with an old friend or contact, catching up with their life and work, sharing notes and rehashing good times.
· What lifts your spirits when life gets you down?
Always music. AC/DC, DEF Leppard and classic rock from the 80’s and 90’s
· Your go-to stress buster
When in the office, it’s got to be Friday – our beautiful indie rescue who actively plays stress buster for all of us in return for back scratches. Check out her shenanigans on @fridayinfocus on the gram. Also, watching reruns of FRIENDS or Seinfeld usually does the trick.
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.
