GECs
Subhash Chandra bestowed with Honorary Doctorate degree
MUMBAI: Zeel (Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd) and Essel Group, chairman Subhash Chandra received the Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from the University of East London (UEL) for his instinctive ability to venture in to new businesses and make them successful.
Chandra received the Doctorate from the University of East London Chancellor Lord Gulam Noon, himself a leading NRI entrepreneur, at a ceremony for its Royal Dock Business School graduates
The citation presented at the event noted, “at the age of 17, Subhash Chandra steered his grandfather’s business back to stability and from Essel it became Essel Group of industries.”
Chandra was privileged to have been considered for the honour. While accepting the award, he thanked the entire senior management team at the Royal Dock Business School. “It is indeed a privilege to be recognised outside one’s country, and in the presence of such highly acclaimed and respected individuals. I thank you all for bestowing this prestigious award that I feel honoured to receive,” he said.
The recognition that Chandra has got isn’t just good for him but will also add a feather to the crown of Zeel and the entire Essel Group. Launched in 1992, brand Zee has earned a global recognition in its reign over the media and entertainment industry for the past 20 years.
Now, on 21 November, Chandra will deliver a keynote speech at AsPIRE, the annual event hosted by JP Morgan at Lord’s to promote Asian-Pacific global leadership. He will take the audience through his life journey from humble beginnings in India to becoming a global billionaire. He will reveal his role models and advise on implementing ideas into successful business operations.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
