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Trigunayat heads marketing, Pai heads Zee MGM, English
MUMBAI: Ashwini Pai, a longtimer at Zee, has taken over as business head of Zee English and Zee MGM from Ajay Trigunayat, who will now head marketing for the entire Zee network.
Pai, involved with Zee English and Zee MGM from the time of the inception of the two channels, was vice president before she took over as business head just over two weeks ago. Trigunayat on the other hand, took charge of the two channels in August 2002 with a brief to exploit the programming strength and potential of the two channels.
Pai, who has been with Zee for the last nine years, chiefly involved in programming, has now been entrusted with the two channels, both of which have been recently revamped. A new look Zee MGM has been in place for the last few months and new shows are being brought into Zee English to bolster its programming.
Speaking to indiantelevsion,com, Trigunayat, who has taken over as vice president of Zee network, said he would now be looking after network marketing initiatives and broad marketing strategy, while the day to day marketing would be handled by the brand teams. Trigunayat has earlier worked with Zee director, marketing Partha Sinha, but the post of VP marketing has been lying vacant since Sinha quit eight months ago and Zee went in for some vertical restructuring. Trigunayat will be reporting directly to the chairman.
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.
