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Ayekart appoints Kunjal Thackar as chief financial officer and co-founder
Mumbai: Ayekart, a FinTech and integrated digital technology platform for the food and agri value chain, has announced the appointment of Kunjal Thackar as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Co-founder. This move aligns with the company’s aim to bolster its leadership team, lead fintech empowerment for SMEs and MSMEs, and drive innovation in business during Ayekart’s significant growth phase.
With a proven track record, Kunjal brings extensive experience as a CFO and senior finance leader in prominent energy, infrastructure, and real estate companies. Notably, he served as CFO and Director at Hiranandani Group, where he played a pivotal role in implementing infrastructure projects, raising finance, and completing large-scale M&A deals.
“We are delighted to welcome Kunjal to our team as CFO and Co-founder,” said Ayekart CEO & co-founder Debarshi Dutta. “With his rich industry experience and financial expertise, we are confident that he will play a pivotal role in propelling our company towards the next phase of growth. Kunjal’s leadership will be instrumental in positioning Ayekart as a prominent player in the financial technology sector and expanding into new markets. His profound financial knowledge, strategic mindset, and exceptional leadership skills instil unwavering confidence in us that he will drive our financial growth and ensure the company’s continued success.”
“I am excited to be a part of Ayekart Fintech and contribute to its growth trajectory”, expressed Thackar. “By focusing on initiatives such as fundraising, IPO planning, solidifying robust governance processes, and securing more cost-efficient financing, I aim to position Ayekart as a frontrunner in the financial technology sector and drive its expansion objectives.”
Throughout his career, Thackar has been recognised for his ability to develop tailored financial strategies and forge effective partnerships with CEOs and senior management. He is renowned for his expertise driving robust governance processes and spearheading digital transformation initiatives, including RPA, automation, and data-driven decision-making.
With over 25 years of diverse financial leadership experience in companies, including Western Concessions Limited (Hiranandani Group), Pipeline Infrastructure Limited (A Brookfield Company), Gujarat Gas Limited, BG, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Kunjal brings unparalleled expertise in optimising fiscal health, implementing robust governance processes, and driving strategic growth initiatives.
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.
