News Headline
New format ToI gets mixed reaction from TV & media professional
Readers in Mumbai were surprised to see a smaller The Times of India greeting them on the morning of 15 May. The Old Lady of Boribunder – the most powerful publication in India’s commercial capital – shrank in size keeping in line with trends internationally. That the bastion of Indian newspaper publishing has had to change means a lot to media and television professionals and to readers.
Indiantelevision.com spoke to a cross section of television, advertising and media professionals to get their views on the new format. The result: mixed reactions. Read on:
“I don’t like the new format at all. I don’t know what it wants to be: a newspaper or a tabloid. Anyway, it was packed with ads. Now it appears to be even more so. There is so little to read. I would like to switch to another paper which is working hard on editorial like Asian Age or Indian Express, but my kids want to read Bombay Times. It has put me off totally.”
Mukesh Sharma
Director
DD Mumbai
“It will take time getting used to. I believe a new rate card is expected which can only mean rates will go up further. The per column width of the paper has gone down, hence ads that I will place in the paper will get less space. So even if the rates do not go up, I will still be paying more for the same cc ad. I expect an ad’s impact to go down further.”
Jasmine Sohrabjee
Head
Mediacom
Grey Worldwide
“The raddi (resale) value of the paper has gone down with the new format. A reader will have to sell more newsapers to get the same kilo weight from the paper mart. I like the look though. And yes I agree that you will get less space for your ad. I also notice that ear panels are gone. Nobody really gives a damn that there’s less to read in The Times of India. I really love the campaign, Mohammed Khan’s done a great job. It’s a sexy campaign, saying its sexier.”
Sandeep Nagpal
MD
Stratagem Media
“I hate it. It’s terrible. Totally unimaginative. It’s a cheap way to save money. It lacks volume. It lacks depth. It has no personality. I believe it’s a pathetic attempt to sell a newspaper saying its sexier.”
Ashok Mansukhani
Executive Vice President – Corporate Services
Hinduja TMT
“I like the format. Easy to read in the train. It’s the same, just size is smaller.”
Praveen Shrikande
CTO
Hathway Cable & Datacom
“I like it. It’s easy to hold. It is the international standard. It’s handleable. I hope it does not become like the New York Times with a number of segments and segments and lots of ads with very little content.”
Anupama Mandloi
Director – on-air programming
SET India
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.
