Piyush was rare. They don’t make people like him anymore: Avinash Pandey

About over two decades back, on a cold winter morning in Lahore, Pakistan, a small but influential advertising & marketing community from India, including this author, were invited for a conference at Pearl Continental hotel. It was a time when business people used to travel across the border. Imran Khan, then he was not PM, but was aiming to be, was in the audience amongst others who is who.

It was crispy winter day, very cold but bright sunshine, and the hall, a tent on the open ground was full. It was Piyush, who came on stage to showcase creative effectiveness in bringing people and communities together. He played an ad, which Ogilvy had made for Google on search, an ad, where people separated in 1947 looked for dear friends across the border and end up meeting them. He left people with teary eyes and a standing ovation, which lasted for a few minutes. He was a man loved by all and respected by the world. Piyush was rare. They don’t make people like him anymore.

Today, thanks to our PM Modi, speaking in your mother tongue or in Hindi at a public forum is equally respected, if not more. But much before that, the pride in Hindi was instituted in our advertising industry by him.  He made advertising communication in Hindi, not only worth noticing but also admired and revered. Genius is the ability to reduce complicated things to simple; he did that every day. I first met him at Cannes in 2009. He was fond of taking a long walk, covering the entire water front. I was out too for a walk and we started talking while walking, and that began a journey of friendship and my discovery of his leadership styles, deep thinking and above all simplicity.

At ABP Network, where I worked then, Ogilvy worked as an agency through 82.5 and then later as Ogilvy. What I know is that he never interfered with the work what his team was doing but used to call me once every month. “ Champion… sab theek chal raha hain na.”  Only during the Covid lockdown, he called to say let’s collaborate to create a mask awareness campaign, and we used to be on the phone each fortnight on new ideas to push communication. That was the only time he had directly worked. He was in Goa and I was in Delhi, experimenting through Zoom.

His work and life are worth celebrating. But those whose lives he had touched will always remember him as someone who loved life, friendship and laughter. He knew how to get things done without getting much tensed about it and how to leave you with a smile.

Last year , late Feb 2024, I met him last time. He did a fabulous session at ABP’s Ideas of India, along with his brother and Great filmmaker Prasoon, and timeless artist Ila Arun ji. He sang along with his sister in that show. There was as usual laughter around him and a promise for better things to come. He promised me “ Champion.. soon we will have a drink together”.  We spoke a few times later that year, only to know now that it’s all a memory to cherish and celebrate. Good bye Sr Pandey.