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BBC Advertising gets two new sales heads
MUMBAI: UK’s pubcaster BBC has done some reshuffling for better revenue generation from one of its upcoming key markets-India. One such is the appointment of two new sales heads- Abhijeet Dhar and Siddharth Bhatnagar for BBC Advertising.
Dhar was earlier BBC Advertising regional manager- News for north and east India while Bhatnagar was heading the same for west and south India. Both of them will handle sales for the network’s news platforms including television, online, mobile, apps, video on demand and Lonely Planet along with a team of seven others.
In his new role, Dhar will handle sales for travel, IT, telecom, government, PSUs and corporate while Bhatnagar will look after auto and BFSI (Banking, financial services and insurance). They will report to BBC Worldwide sales director (news) for south Asia Taranjeet Singh who was elevated to the position in 2012 but was handling the sales for India as well.
BBC is increasing its focus on India, which BBC World News CEO Jim Egan had highlighted in his visit late last year. It is also looking at a big thrust in the digital space in the country. In an earlier interview to indiantelevision.com Egan had said, “One thing particularly exciting about India is that in the other markets digital penetration is nearing saturation point but in India there is a lot of room for growth in the mobile sector and it is one of the biggest growth markets for mobile.”
The sales revenue push will be for digital medium with a broad based clientele list including education and real estate. The broadcaster claims to have nearly two million visitors a month from India for its website out of which most of it is unique and exclusive.
Dhar has been with BBC for six years. Prior to this, he was with Viacom 18 as senior business manager for Viacom Brand Solutions, Radio City and the Times of India. Bhatnagar started his career at BBC in 2010 before which he was with SET India as sales manager, UTV World Movies as regional head for north and west, Radio Mirchi and Am sales and marketing.
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.
