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“Best Deal TV has been consistent and seen a 10% MOM growth:” Raj Kundra
MUMBAI: Entrepreneur Raj Kundra and Bollywood action star Akshay Kumar owned Best Deal TV, recently signed a deal with e-commerce giant Amazon. The deal marked conglomeration of e-tailing and home shopping industries which by far was considered as subtle competitor to each other.
Launched exclusively for the southern part of the country, Best Deal TV since its launch has continued its series of innovations.
The deal with Amazon opens up avenues of expansion for the newly launched home-shopping channel, feels Kundra. He tells Indiantelevision.com, “We wanted to reach out to a completely different and new clientele. Since our product offering was also unique, we pitched the offer to the head of Amazon and after the first meeting they were convinced it would be a great partnership.”
The experimental deal has been signed for a trial period of one year. Other than gaining reach, Best Deal TV, through the association, will look to yield benefit from Amazon’s robust logistics network along with co-branding through new marketing strategies.
“On 26 June, we dominated the front page of Amazon with a video and big Best Deal TV banner. Separately, Amazon will be marketing our products on its site and we will be driving traffic to our brand store on Amazon,” Kundra informs.
Best Deal TV, as per recent reports, had fetched Rs 3 crore in the first month of its operation.
Speaking on the sales and target Kundra asserts, “We have not set any sale targets for this venture as this is more about creating a customer experience which will eventually add up to sales. So far we have been consistent and seen a 10 per cent month-on-month growth.”
A veteran from the home shopping industry on condition of anonymity says, “It’s a smart way to enhance your reach. Multi system operator (MSO) Den and e-commerce player Snapdeal did it in the past and now Best Deal TV and Amazon. We will see more and more of such deals happening. But what is the turnover from the deal will be something to observe. For example on television when a headphone is showcased for sale you don’t have 10 other headphones from six different brands popping up which happens on Amazon or Flipkart or Snapdeal. So, this will be an added challenge to deal with. In my opinion reach and marketing opportunities are the positive part of the deal but other available products of same genre will test Best Deal TV’s product.”
Another expert from the home shopping space asserts, “Best Deal TV acquired a lot of goods from different brands which it is not being able to sell though its channel and hence it has tied up with Amazon. The deal will help them clear the stock as Amazon has massive presence but the margin of profit would be different. So to me it looks like a damage control deal.”
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.
