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Uday Shankar rules out stake sale, promises no more layoffs at JioStar
MUMBAI: Uday Shankar isn’t going anywhere. That’s according to a report on storyboard18.com. The vice-chairman of JioStar has quashed speculation about selling his stake in India’s rapidly consolidating media behemoth, declaring his commitment runs deeper than mere shareholding. Speaking at a town hall earlier today marking the company’s first anniversary, Shankar delivered an unequivocal message: the restructuring is done, the layoffs are over, and what comes next is a sprint towards global dominance.
“I am not selling off my stakes because my relationship with the family is more than just a shareholder,” Shankar told senior leadership on Wednesday. “This is also because I have promised to build a world-class media and entertainment company in India.”
The remarks come after months of upheaval following the merger of two major entities under the JioStar umbrella—a process that brought painful job cuts and role consolidation. Shankar didn’t dodge the issue. “Personally, I hate the word layoffs but given the size of operation, it was inevitable,” he said. “I assure that there will be no further layoffs but I want to build the company on strength of meritocracy.”
That meritocracy, he insisted, would be the engine of JioStar’s next phase. “We have harmonised all the roles when two big companies join hands. Now we have best of hands at work suitable for their roles,” Shankar said, adding that employees must “challenge the status quo every day.”
The ambition is vast. Shankar wants JioStar to become “a benchmark in media and entertainment globally”—not merely an Indian player but a world-class institution capable of shaping creative industries across borders. To get there, the company aims to become “a magnet to attract best of talent pool available in the country,” he said.
With shareholder stability now assured and the worst of integration behind it, JioStar is betting big on innovation, content and international reach. Year two begins with fewer disruptions and sharper focus. Shankar has made his wager clear: he’s in it for the long haul, and he’s playing to win.
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.
