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ESS Sawhney moving to Singapore, to be replaced by former Kellog India MD
MUMBAI: ESPN Star Sports bossman in India Manu Sawhney has been promoted and is moving to Singapore.
Sawhney, currently ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd managing director, has been promoted to ESS’ senior V-P programming and event management group and will be operating out of Singapore.
Succeeding Sawhney as MD is RC Venkateish, formerly MD of Kellogg India. He will be responsible for advertising sales, marketing and distribution of ESPN India and Star Sports India networks and will report to Rik Dovey, MD ESS.
Venkateish appointment comes at a critical time, what with the CAS rollout just over a month away. To smoothen the transition, Sawhney will be based in India for at least the next couple of months working closely with Venkateish and the management team to ensure a smooth transition.
Even after that period Sawhney will be closely associated with operations in India as his brief is to oversee programming, acquisitions and scheduling of all the nine channels broadcast by ESS across Asia. That includes ESPN India and STAR Sports India as well.
Once he makes the move to Singapore, Sawhney will be responsible for acquiring, managing and scheduling programming across nine ESS networks in the region –ESPN Asia, ESPN India, ESPN Taiwan, ESPN Philippines, MBC-ESPN (Korea), STAR Sports Asia, STAR Sports India, STAR Sports Taiwan and STAR Sports S.E.A. All nine feeds are customized in line with local audience preferences.
Sawhney will also oversee the ESS Event Management Group (EMG) that specialises in creating, managing, promoting, producing and syndicating sporting events such as the Asian X Games Qualifier and Tour, Asian 9-Ball Tour, Asian Bowling Tour and English Premier League Asia Cup.
Sawhney joined ESPN Software India in 1996, and has been instrumental in building the India and South Asia operations. As the MD, he was responsible for ESPN India and Star Sports India networks including advertising sales, marketing and distribution.
Said Sawhney, “I have seen the India operations grow from a start up to the highest paid penetrated services across India. We redefined sports viewing in India to become the biggest niche channel bouquet and undisputed leader of sports broadcasting. I am happy that the company has now entrusted me with one of the most challenging functions to oversee event management and programming of all the regional networks of ESPN STAR Sports.”
Venkateish, meanwhile, is an alumnae of IIT Madras and IIM Kolkata, Venkateish has over 20 years’ experience in the FMCG business and has worked with Kellogg, Oral B, Nestle and Smith Kline Beecham with stints both in India and abroad. Venkateish said: “Sports has been a passion with me since childhood. I look forward to the exciting opportunity at ESPN Software India Ltd.”
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.
