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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

MUMBAI: India is making its mark on the global creative scene as some of the country’s leading minds join juries for The One Club for Creativity’s prestigious awards. Celebrating excellence across advertising, design, and typography, The One Club is known for rewarding standout work while championing inclusion, education, and creative growth.

The One Show 2026, one of the most coveted honours in advertising, sees Indian leaders on its jury including Khalil Bachooali of Offroad Films, Rajdeepak Das of Publicis Groupe South Asia, Ashish Deshpande of Elephant Design, and creative chiefs from Ogilvy, Havas, Mudra, FCB Interface, and more. The extended submission deadline is 6 February, with the final cut-off on 20 February.

On the design front, the ADC 105th Annual Awards, celebrated worldwide for design and visual communication, counts Binaifer Dulani, Moumita Pal, Sulekha Rajkumar, Kamal Kumaar Rao, and Neha Tulsian among its Indian jury members. The deadline extensions mirror those of The One Show, encouraging broader participation.

Meanwhile, the TDC 72nd Annual Competition, the world’s leading platform for typography and lettering, features Namrata Goyal of Universal Thirst representing India. Entries are open until 27 February.

Indian creatives also enjoy reduced submission fees, with tiered pricing for smaller agencies and freelancers, making it easier for talent of all scales to shine on the world stage.

Advertisement

With India’s creative leaders now shaping the decisions behind these global accolades, the country is proving it’s not just participating, it’s setting benchmarks.

BENGALURU: Bengaluru is set to turn up the creative volume as the 41st edition of the Big Bang Awards takes centre stage on 9 February 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton. Organised by the Advertising Club Bangalore, the awards remain one of India’s most respected celebrations of excellence across advertising, media, design, digital and marketing.

This year, the Big Bang Awards arrive with a fresh rhythm. For the first time, the event expands into a full-day industry experience. The afternoon will open with thoughtfully curated workshops, a Founders Circle fireside conversation and The Bang on Music, before rolling into the much-anticipated evening awards ceremony. The idea is simple and ambitious at once to spark learning, encourage honest conversations and bring the creative community closer together.

Now in its 41st year, the Big Bang Awards continue to reflect the changing face of creativity in India. With more than 130 categories, the awards honour standout work across print, broadcast, digital, mobile, experiential and emerging platforms, capturing the breadth and ambition of today’s communications landscape.

Laeeq Ali, President of the Advertising Club Bangalore, said the awards go beyond trophies and titles. They celebrate ideas that influence culture, drive business and help define where the industry is headed next.

Backing the 2026 edition is a strong line-up of partners from across the media and digital ecosystem. Gold Partners include Snapchat, Sony Network Pvt. Ltd., Truecaller and Times Group. Silver Partners are Mob Avenue, Deccan Herald and Team Pumpkin. Community and Media Partners such as afaqs, Adgully, MediaNews4U and Indian television dot com further strengthen the platform’s reach and relevance.

Advertisement

Together, they reinforce the Big Bang Awards’ standing as a meeting point for ideas, ambition and creative leadership. Even for those who do not live and breathe advertising, the message is clear. When creativity comes together at scale, it tends to make a rather big bang.